Which statement about epinephrine in ACLS is true?

Which statement about epinephrine in ACLS is true?

• A. It is given 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes during arrest
• B. It is never used in arrest
• C. It should be given only before defibrillation
• D. It should be given after ROSC only

Answer: (A)

During ACLS, epinephrine is used to improve perfusion to the heart and brain by causing vasoconstriction, which raises aortic diastolic and coronary perfusion pressures during CPR. The standard adult dose is 1 mg given IV or IO every 3–5 minutes during cardiac arrest. This timing/dose is why the statement is true. Epinephrine is actually part of arrest management, not something avoided in arrest. It is not limited to administration only before defibrillation; defibrillation is used for shockable rhythms, and epinephrine is given during ongoing CPR regardless of rhythm. It is also not restricted to after ROSC; post-arrest care is separate from the intra-arrest use of epinephrine. (If IV/IO access isn’t available, an alternative endotracheal dose can be used, but IV/IO is the preferred route.)

During ACLS, epinephrine is used to improve perfusion to the heart and brain by causing vasoconstriction, which raises aortic diastolic and coronary perfusion pressures during CPR. The standard adult dose is 1 mg given IV or IO every 3–5 minutes during cardiac arrest. This timing/dose is why the statement is true.

Epinephrine is actually part of arrest management, not something avoided in arrest. It is not limited to administration only before defibrillation; defibrillation is used for shockable rhythms, and epinephrine is given during ongoing CPR regardless of rhythm. It is also not restricted to after ROSC; post-arrest care is separate from the intra-arrest use of epinephrine. (If IV/IO access isn’t available, an alternative endotracheal dose can be used, but IV/IO is the preferred route.)