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It should have been 300 mg rapid IVP. Nothing is given over 10 minutes to a pulseless pt. The 150 over 10 minutes is someone with a pulse that's tachycardic
To be honest, by the time it circulated the body it would be awhile. Their heart isn't perfusing the body so it is dependent on high quality CPR. The odds of high quality CPR being performed is slim. We like to think we do a good job but most CPR is ****. Even the most fit get worn out during CPR. I can have great compressions in the beginning where doctors will say they feel a pulse but it disappears once I stop.
The 10 minutes is when you're going to give them a drip. The ALCS pulseless thing is 300 mg IVP and then another round with 150 mg IVP later. But... you can't mix lidocaine and amiodarone. Use one then stick with one. I am sort of amazed at how much amiodarone is used. It used to be all about the lidocaine.
You said yourself the physician ordered the Amiodarone for bolus administration. So, why would you push it over 10 minutes? In a code situation, you don't use recommended IV push or infusion rates. The point is to get the drug into the client ASAP. What I am trying to figure out is, why are you concerned about adverse effects of rapid administration on a client that is in V-fib?
Hello All!The other day I was thrown into a rather uncomfortable position. A patient came into the ED where I work and the patient initially presented in asystole. After working the code for 10-12 minutes we were performing another rhythm check and noted that the patient was in pulse less v-fib. We shocked the patient, continued CPR and the physician ordered for 150 mg bolus of amiodarone to be given. I confirmed the order with the physician and started administering the medication IVP over 10 minutes as that is the rate I've been taught and that is what is in my drug book (I came home and confirmed it). My charge nurse was watching me and told me to just finish pushing the medication about 2 minutes in and proceeded to tell me that during a cardiac arrest event the 10 minute push doesn't matter. I didn't agree and continued to do a slower push.
So here is my question; Does it matter in a code situation, how long you give amiodarone over?
And to go ahead and address it: I wouldn't just take someone from a nursing forums advice over extensive research. I just wanted some experienced nurses (if people are honest) opinions! Thanks :)
Are you acls certified? Because if you work in ED you should get certified asap. Giving an amio bolus via drip is different from giving an amio bolus in a code situation. The code requires a rapid ivp. And honestly, you need to use some critical thinking rather than just following textbook nursing.
BecomingNursey
334 Posts
Hello All!
The other day I was thrown into a rather uncomfortable position. A patient came into the ED where I work and the patient initially presented in asystole. After working the code for 10-12 minutes we were performing another rhythm check and noted that the patient was in pulse less v-fib. We shocked the patient, continued CPR and the physician ordered for 150 mg bolus of amiodarone to be given. I confirmed the order with the physician and started administering the medication IVP over 10 minutes as that is the rate I've been taught and that is what is in my drug book (I came home and confirmed it). My charge nurse was watching me and told me to just finish pushing the medication about 2 minutes in and proceeded to tell me that during a cardiac arrest event the 10 minute push doesn't matter. I didn't agree and continued to do a slower push.
So here is my question; Does it matter in a code situation, how long you give amiodarone over?
And to go ahead and address it: I wouldn't just take someone from a nursing forums advice over extensive research. I just wanted some experienced nurses (if people are honest) opinions! Thanks :)