Drugs
Drugs should only be considered when the lungs have been aerated and the circulation has failed or the heart rate does not respond to effective ventilation and good quality chest compressions.
Attempting to gain IO/ IV access must NOT detract from effective lung inflation/ ventilation and chest compressions.
This intervention should only be undertaken when the clinician is appropriately skilled to do so.
Adrenaline (epinephrine)
Preparation:
IV/ IO: 20 micrograms kg-1 (0.2 mL kg-1 of 1:10,000 adrenaline [1000 micrograms in 10 mL]).
Intra-tracheal: 100 micrograms kg-1 (1.0 mL kg-1 of 1:10,000 adrenaline [1000 micrograms in 10 mL]).
Glucose
Glucose: In a prolonged resuscitation to reduce likelihood of hypoglycaemia.
IV/IO: 250 mg kg-1 bolus (2.5 mL kg-1 of 10% glucose solution).
Volume Replacement
Volume replacement with suspected blood loss or shock unresponsive to other resuscitative measures.
IV/IO: 10 mL kg-1 of group O Rh-negative blood or isotonic crystalloid (Normal Saline 0.9%)
