1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
OCEMS Pharmacology - Drug
Guide Questions and Correct
Verified Answers Latest Version
Adenosine Classification
✓ Antiarrhythmic
Adenosine Mech of Action
✓ Depress automaticity in sinus node and Purkinje fibers
✓
✓ Slows AV conduction and interrupts reentry pathways thru AV node
✓
✓ Immed onset w/ duration less than 10 sec
Adenosine Indications
✓ Narrow complex tachycardia w/ reg rhythm and rate >/= 150 in
conscious pt w/ complaint of mild chest discomfort, lightheadedness or
diaphoresis AFTER Valsalva attempt
Adenosine contraindications
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
✓ Known adenosine hypersensitivity, 2nd or 3rd degree AV block w/o
functioning pacemaker
Adenosine dosage form
✓ 3mg/1ml (12mg/4ml prefill)
Adenosine adult dose
✓ 12mg rapid IVP in a port closest to patient followed by rapid 10ml NS
flush; may repeat 12 mg rapid IVP once after 3 minutes if tachycardia
>/= 150 persists
Adenosine ped dose
✓ BASE HOSPITAL ORDER: 0.2mg/kg rapid IVP in a port closest to patient
followed by a rapid 5ml NS flush; may repeat with 0.2mg/kg rapid IVP in
2 minutes if tachycardia persists
Adenosine side effects
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
✓ Chest pain/pressure,
✓ Hypotension,
✓ Transient PAC/PVCs,
✓ Transient bradycardia/sinus arrest,
✓ Metallic taste,
✓ Throat tightness,
✓ Facial flushing
Adenosine Precautions/comments
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
✓ Start IV in AC vein
✓
✓ Drug is metabolized in 10 seconds
✓
✓ Must flush by injecting the NS flush, running the IV wide open is not an
adequate flush
✓
✓ History of "sick sinus" syndrome, 2nd or 3rd degree heart block without
pacemaker **reactive airway disease (asthma/COPD) may have
bronchospasm
✓
✓ Does not convert atrial flutter or fibrillation;
✓
✓ Persantine (Dipyridamole) and Tegretol can cause a heart block-need
to use a lower dose
✓
✓ Due to denervation of heart, use with extreme caution in cardiac
transplant recipients - may have persistent asystole
✓
✓ Theophylline preparations can render adenosine ineffective, may need
a higher dose
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
OCEMS Pharmacology - Drug
Guide Questions and Correct
Verified Answers Latest Version
Adenosine Classification
✓ Antiarrhythmic
Adenosine Mech of Action
✓ Depress automaticity in sinus node and Purkinje fibers
✓
✓ Slows AV conduction and interrupts reentry pathways thru AV node
✓
✓ Immed onset w/ duration less than 10 sec
Adenosine Indications
✓ Narrow complex tachycardia w/ reg rhythm and rate >/= 150 in
conscious pt w/ complaint of mild chest discomfort, lightheadedness or
diaphoresis AFTER Valsalva attempt
Adenosine contraindications
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
✓ Known adenosine hypersensitivity, 2nd or 3rd degree AV block w/o
functioning pacemaker
Adenosine dosage form
✓ 3mg/1ml (12mg/4ml prefill)
Adenosine adult dose
✓ 12mg rapid IVP in a port closest to patient followed by rapid 10ml NS
flush; may repeat 12 mg rapid IVP once after 3 minutes if tachycardia
>/= 150 persists
Adenosine ped dose
✓ BASE HOSPITAL ORDER: 0.2mg/kg rapid IVP in a port closest to patient
followed by a rapid 5ml NS flush; may repeat with 0.2mg/kg rapid IVP in
2 minutes if tachycardia persists
Adenosine side effects
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
✓ Chest pain/pressure,
✓ Hypotension,
✓ Transient PAC/PVCs,
✓ Transient bradycardia/sinus arrest,
✓ Metallic taste,
✓ Throat tightness,
✓ Facial flushing
Adenosine Precautions/comments
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
✓ Start IV in AC vein
✓
✓ Drug is metabolized in 10 seconds
✓
✓ Must flush by injecting the NS flush, running the IV wide open is not an
adequate flush
✓
✓ History of "sick sinus" syndrome, 2nd or 3rd degree heart block without
pacemaker **reactive airway disease (asthma/COPD) may have
bronchospasm
✓
✓ Does not convert atrial flutter or fibrillation;
✓
✓ Persantine (Dipyridamole) and Tegretol can cause a heart block-need
to use a lower dose
✓
✓ Due to denervation of heart, use with extreme caution in cardiac
transplant recipients - may have persistent asystole
✓
✓ Theophylline preparations can render adenosine ineffective, may need
a higher dose
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
