Understanding the drugs used during cardiac arrest response.
During cardiac arrest the survival of the patient depends on a rapid response that provides high-quality treatment based on the latest guidelines. Administration of the correct drugs is an important aspect of this process and one in which nurses are taking an increasingly important role. This article will help nurses to understand the use of drugs in cardiac arrest resuscitation, explaining the rationale for their use, the dosage and any significant problems likely to be encountered.
Gallimore
David
D
School of Health Science, University of Wales Swansea.
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D001285:Atropine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024802:Nurse's Role; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D015996:Survival Rate; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D001285:Atropine; D008012:Lidocaine; D002122:Calcium Chloride; D000638:Amiodarone; D004837:Epinephrine