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Multiple Choice

What is the correct epinephrine dosing for asystole during CPR?

During CPR for asystole, the goal is to improve coronary and cerebral perfusion while chest compressions continue. Epinephrine helps by causing alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction, which raises aortic diastolic pressure and increases coronary perfusion pressure during compressions. The standard, recommended dose is 1 mg given IV or IO, and it should be repeated every 3-5 minutes as part of ongoing CPR. This fixed dosing matches the rhythm of CPR cycles and doesn't rely on weight in adults. Why the other options don’t fit: dosing every minute would be too frequent and could cause excessive vasoconstriction; a 5 mg dose every 10 minutes is not aligned with the goal of consistent perfusion during arrest; a bolus of 0.1 mg/kg is not used for adults in CPR (and, if considered in pediatrics, the typical weight-based dose is 0.01 mg/kg of 1:10,000, not 0.1 mg/kg).

During CPR for asystole, the goal is to improve coronary and cerebral perfusion while chest compressions continue. Epinephrine helps by causing alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction, which raises aortic diastolic pressure and increases coronary perfusion pressure during compressions. The standard, recommended dose is 1 mg given IV or IO, and it should be repeated every 3-5 minutes as part of ongoing CPR. This fixed dosing matches the rhythm of CPR cycles and doesn't rely on weight in adults.

Why the other options don’t fit: dosing every minute would be too frequent and could cause excessive vasoconstriction; a 5 mg dose every 10 minutes is not aligned with the goal of consistent perfusion during arrest; a bolus of 0.1 mg/kg is not used for adults in CPR (and, if considered in pediatrics, the typical weight-based dose is 0.01 mg/kg of 1:10,000, not 0.1 mg/kg).