In cardiac arrest or asystole/PEA, Epinephrine 0.1 mg/mL is dosed at what amount IV/IO?

• A. 0.1 mg IV/IO
• B. 0.3 mg IV/IO
• C. 0.5 mg IV/IO
• D. 1 mg IV/IO

Answer: (D)

During cardiac arrest, the goal is to raise coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures during CPR, and epinephrine achieves this through alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction. The standard adult dose is 1 mg given IV or IO every 3–5 minutes during CPR. With a solution concentration of 0.1 mg/mL, delivering 1 mg requires 10 mL of the drug. So the correct administration is 1 mg IV/IO per dose (administered as a rapid IV push, then repeat every 3–5 minutes as indicated).