In Adult Unstable VT, which Amiodarone infusion dose is recommended?

In Adult Unstable VT, which Amiodarone infusion dose is recommended?

• A. 300 mg IV push
• B. 150 mg into 50 mL (IV/IO) 10 drop set, 1 drop a second
• C. 1 mg/kg IV/IO Push
• D. 2 g IV over 5 minutes

Answer: (B)

In adult unstable VT with a pulse, the goal is to control the rhythm without causing a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Amiodarone is given as a slow infusion rather than a rapid bolus to achieve effective levels safely. The recommended approach is to give 150 mg diluted in 50 mL and infuse over about 10 minutes via IV or IO. This controlled delivery helps stabilize the patient while avoiding the hemodynamic instability that a large rapid bolus can cause. After this infusion, a maintenance or subsequent infusion can be considered if VT recurs or persists. The other dosing options fit scenarios that aren’t appropriate for a patient who is unstable but still has a pulse: a large bolus dose is used for a cardiac arrest situation (no pulse), a weight-based bolus isn’t the standard for this setting, and an excessively large dose given quickly isn’t indicated for unstable VT.

In adult unstable VT with a pulse, the goal is to control the rhythm without causing a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Amiodarone is given as a slow infusion rather than a rapid bolus to achieve effective levels safely. The recommended approach is to give 150 mg diluted in 50 mL and infuse over about 10 minutes via IV or IO. This controlled delivery helps stabilize the patient while avoiding the hemodynamic instability that a large rapid bolus can cause. After this infusion, a maintenance or subsequent infusion can be considered if VT recurs or persists.

The other dosing options fit scenarios that aren’t appropriate for a patient who is unstable but still has a pulse: a large bolus dose is used for a cardiac arrest situation (no pulse), a weight-based bolus isn’t the standard for this setting, and an excessively large dose given quickly isn’t indicated for unstable VT.