what meds are given during a code

Although administering cardiac arrest drugs intravenously or interosseously is preferred, the following drugs can be administered via the endotracheal (ET) tube. vasopressin, epinephrine, naltraxone, atropine, lidocaine. It is VENAL (i.e., horrible/despicable) to run a code without IV or IO access.

Full Answer

Why would you give Meds in a code?

Every med in a Code is given for a specific reason. To give meds and not know why they are given is not a good situation. Every single action in a Code is a direct response to the heart rythmn on the monitor and the physical assesment of the pt; not because the protocol said to.

What drugs are used in a Code Blue?

What drugs are used in a code blue? 1 Amiodarone. 2 Atropine. 3 Epinephrine. More ...

What is the rationale behind every drug action in a code?

Every single action in a Code is a direct response to the heart rythmn on the monitor and the physical assesment of the pt; not because the protocol said to. No the instructors in the 2 day ACLS class did not go over the rationale behind every drug.

What drugs are used to treat cardiac arrest?

Adrenaline. This is the first drug given in all causes of cardiac arrest and should be readily available in all clinical areas. Amiodarone. Lidocaine. Atropine. Additional drugs. Calcium chloride. Magnesium sulphate. Miscellaneous drugs. What are ACLS drugs? Adenosine.

What is the primary medication used in the crash cart?

Epinephrine is the primary medication that is used in the crash cart. During a code blue, Epinephrine or Epi is used in many situations where you need to restart the heart, improve heart muscle contractility, and increase cardiac output. Situations such as Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA), asystole, V-fib, pulseless V-tach, anaphylaxis, ...

What is the best medication for hypotension?

Dopamine. Dopamine is a medication used to treat decreased cardiac output that can lead to hypotension. This medication helps vasodilate the vessels and promote increased blood circulation to vital organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys. It is given as a drip in the ICU.

What is the treatment for V-tach?

This medication is in the crash cart although according to the ACLS, primary treatment of V-tach and V-fib are epinephrine and vasopressin. When giving Amiodarone, keep in mind, due to its vasodilator effects, continue monitoring heart rate and blood pressure as these can drop leading to serious hypotension. 3. Atropine.

Why is naloxone used in a crash cart?

It is a crash cart med because it serves as an antidote to specific opioids such as morphine, fentanyl and oxycodone codeine. This means the emergency med helps reverse any effects a potential opioid overdose may have caused including CNS and respiratory depression, altered level of consciousness and coma.

Is sodium bicarb a contraindication for cardiac arrest?

Therefore, a contraindication would be respiratory or metabolic alkalosis or hypokalemia.

Is atropine given for tachycardia?

Atropine helps by speeding up the heart rate. Therefore, it is contraindicated to give to patients who have tachycardia or glaucoma.

Can you give epinephrine 1:1000?

It is VERY important to never confuse the two. Note: Epinephrine 1:1000 can ONLY be giving intramuscularly due to its high concentration and risk of serious arrhythmia if given IV. 2. Amiodarone. Amiodarone is a medication used to treat ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.

Why is every med in a code given?

Every med in a Code is given for a specific reason. To give meds and not know why they are given is not a good situation. Every single action in a Code is a direct response to the heart rythmn on the monitor and the physical assesment of the pt; not because the protocol said to.

Does the ACLS class go over the rationale behind every drug?

No the instructors in the 2 day ACLS class did not go over the rationale behind every drug. It is in the pharmacology chapters in the ACLS book. The assumption made is that the person taking the class has already read the book and knows this information. So the doc didn't want to give another dose of atropine.