ACLS: adrenaline dosing: practice question

A Anaesthesia question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anaesthesia · ACLS: adrenaline dosing

Sample item

In a non-shockable cardiac arrest (asystole), what is the recommended adrenaline regimen?

A10 mg every 10 minutesB0.1 mg onceC1 mg intravenously as soon as possible, repeated every 3 to 5 minutesDAtropine 3 mg instead

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. 1 mg intravenously as soon as possible, repeated every 3 to 5 minutes

In non-shockable rhythms adrenaline is given as early as practicable and every 3 to 5 minutes. In shockable rhythms it is given after the second shock.

Option by option

A. 10 mg every 10 minutes
10 mg is an overdose.
B. 0.1 mg once
0.1 mg once is inadequate.
C. 1 mg intravenously as soon as possible, repeated every 3 to 5 minutes (correct)
Correct. 1 mg every 3 to 5 minutes.
D. Atropine 3 mg instead
Atropine is no longer recommended in asystole.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is C, 1 mg intravenously as soon as possible, repeated every 3 to 5 minutes. In non-shockable rhythms adrenaline is given as early as practicable and every 3 to 5 minutes.

Why is "10 mg every 10 minutes" not the answer?

10 mg is an overdose.

Why is "0.1 mg once" not the answer?

0.1 mg once is inadequate.

Why is "Atropine 3 mg instead" not the answer?

Atropine is no longer recommended in asystole.

What concept does this question test?

It tests ACLS: adrenaline dosing in Anaesthesia. In shockable rhythms it is given after the second shock.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study ACLS: adrenaline dosing?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.