Which amiodarone dosing option lists the correct protocol for adult cardiac arrest?

Which amiodarone dosing option lists the correct protocol for adult cardiac arrest?

• A. 300 mg IV/IO; 150 mg IV/IO
• B. 300 mg IV/IO
• C. 150 mg IV/IO; 50 mg IV/IO
• D. 600 mg IV/IO; 300 mg IV/IO

Answer: (A)

In adults with cardiac arrest due to VF or pulseless VT, amiodarone is used after defibrillation attempts have failed. The standard dosing sequence is a 300 mg IV/IO bolus, with a possible second bolus of 150 mg IV/IO if the rhythm remains refractory and the patient is still in arrest. This approach provides an initial strong antiarrhythmic effect and a smaller follow-up dose to retry termination of the arrhythmia if needed, without exposing the patient to a large total dose too early. The other patterns—a single 300 mg with no follow-up, a first dose of 150 mg (without the larger initial amount), or a much larger two-dose sequence—do not align with the accepted protocol for this scenario.

In adults with cardiac arrest due to VF or pulseless VT, amiodarone is used after defibrillation attempts have failed. The standard dosing sequence is a 300 mg IV/IO bolus, with a possible second bolus of 150 mg IV/IO if the rhythm remains refractory and the patient is still in arrest. This approach provides an initial strong antiarrhythmic effect and a smaller follow-up dose to retry termination of the arrhythmia if needed, without exposing the patient to a large total dose too early. The other patterns—a single 300 mg with no follow-up, a first dose of 150 mg (without the larger initial amount), or a much larger two-dose sequence—do not align with the accepted protocol for this scenario.