Pharmacology Flashcards
7 cards from real PALS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pharmacology flashcards as text
A neonate in cardiogenic shock from ductal-dependent congenital heart disease requires which medication to keep the ductus arteriosus open?
Answer: Prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil)
Prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil) maintains or reopens the ductus arteriosus in neonates with ductal-dependent congenital heart defects.
A 5-year-old presents with a heroin overdose and respiratory arrest. Which medication is administered first?
Answer: Naloxone
Naloxone is the opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression caused by opioid overdose.
What is the preferred route for naloxone administration when IV access is unavailable in a child?
Answer: Intranasal or IM
Intranasal or intramuscular naloxone is effective when IV/IO access is unavailable and is widely recommended in PALS.
Which medication is used to treat supraventricular tachycardia in a hemodynamically stable child when adenosine fails?
Answer: Verapamil (only in children > 1 year)
Verapamil may be considered for SVT in children older than 1 year if adenosine fails, but is contraindicated in infants due to risk of cardiovascular collapse.
A child in status epilepticus unresponsive to benzodiazepines is given phenobarbital. What is the primary concern with rapid IV administration?
Answer: Respiratory depression and hypotension
Rapid IV phenobarbital can cause respiratory depression and hypotension, requiring careful monitoring and airway readiness.
In a child with bradycardia unresponsive to atropine and epinephrine, which intervention should be considered next?
Answer: Transcutaneous pacing
Transcutaneous pacing is indicated for bradycardia with a pulse that is unresponsive to medications and causing hemodynamic compromise.
Which drug interaction is most clinically relevant when giving adenosine to a child taking theophylline?
Answer: Theophylline blocks adenosine receptors, reducing its effectiveness
Theophylline is an adenosine receptor antagonist and can block the therapeutic effect of adenosine, requiring higher doses to terminate SVT.