1|Page
ACLS DRUGS, DOSAGES & USES
**NURSING STUDY GUIDE | 2026–2027
EDITION**
*HIGH-YIELD | EASY TO MEMORIZE | FIRST-
TRY UNDERSTANDING*
**GRADED A+
## How to Use This Guide
- **Step 1:** Review the drug tables – focus on **dose, route,
indication, and timing**
- **Step 2:** Learn the **ACLS algorithms** (Pulseless, Bradycardia,
Tachycardia, Post-Arrest)
- **Step 3:** Memorize the **H’s & T’s** (reversible causes)
- **Step 4:** Test yourself with **40+ NCLEX-style practice
questions** (full rationales)
- **Step 5:** Use **mnemonics** and **bolded key facts** for quick
recall
---
,2|Page
## Table of Contents
1. **Core ACLS Drug Categories (Nursing Focus)**
2. **Detailed Drug Profiles – Dosages, Routes, Indications**
3. **ACLS Algorithm Drug Summaries**
4. **Reversible Causes (H’s & T’s) – Nursing Implications**
5. **Drug Administration Tips (IV, IO, ET)**
6. **40+ Practice Questions with Rationales**
7. **Answer Key & Quick Reference Card**
---
# Part 1: Core ACLS Drug Categories
| Category | What It Does | Examples | When to Use (Nursing Pearl) |
|----------|--------------|----------|-------------------------------|
| **Vasopressors** | Tightens blood vessels → raises BP during CPR |
Epinephrine | **Pulseless arrest** – give q3–5 min |
| **Antiarrhythmics** | Stops abnormal heart rhythms | Amiodarone,
Lidocaine, Adenosine | **VF/pVT** after 3rd shock; **SVT**
(Adenosine) |
| **Chronotropes** | Speeds up heart rate | Atropine | **Symptomatic
bradycardia** (HR <50 + symptoms) |
,3|Page
| **Inotropes** | Increases heart squeeze strength | Dopamine,
Dobutamine | **Shock after ROSC** (low BP + low output) |
| **Electrolytes** | Corrects mineral imbalances | Magnesium, Calcium |
**Torsades** (Magnesium); **Hyperkalemia** (Calcium) |
| **Thrombolytics** | Dissolves clots | Alteplase (tPA) | **STEMI**,
**massive PE**, **stroke** (ischemic) |
---
# Part 2: Detailed Drug Profiles (Nursing Student Focus)
## Epinephrine – The #1 ACLS Drug
| Aspect | Details |
|--------|---------|
| **Dose (Pulseless Arrest)** | 1 mg IV/IO **q3–5 minutes** |
| **Dose (Anaphylaxis)** | 0.3–0.5 mg **IM** (repeat q5–15 min) |
| **Dose (Bradycardia infusion)** | 2–10 mcg/min IV infusion |
| **Route** | IV, IO, ET (2–2.5 mg if no IV/IO) |
| **Onset** | Immediate (IV) |
| **Nursing Pearl** | **Do not mix with sodium bicarbonate** – they
inactivate each other |
, 4|Page
> **Memory Trick:** “Epinephrine = **E**very **P**ulseless
**I**nterval” – give every 3–5 minutes.
---
## Amiodarone – VF/pVT Workhorse
| Aspect | Details |
|--------|---------|
| **Dose (VF/pVT)** | 300 mg IV/IO push → if no response, **150
mg** in 3–5 min |
| **Maintenance** | 1 mg/min x 6h → then 0.5 mg/min x 18h |
| **Route** | IV/IO only (not ET) |
| **Nursing Pearl** | **Dilute in D5W** (not saline) – precipitates.
Give over 10 min if patient has pulse. |
> **Memory Trick:** “Amio = **A**fter **M**ultiple
**I**mpulses” – give after 3rd shock.
---
## Lidocaine – Second-Line Antiarrhythmic
ACLS DRUGS, DOSAGES & USES
**NURSING STUDY GUIDE | 2026–2027
EDITION**
*HIGH-YIELD | EASY TO MEMORIZE | FIRST-
TRY UNDERSTANDING*
**GRADED A+
## How to Use This Guide
- **Step 1:** Review the drug tables – focus on **dose, route,
indication, and timing**
- **Step 2:** Learn the **ACLS algorithms** (Pulseless, Bradycardia,
Tachycardia, Post-Arrest)
- **Step 3:** Memorize the **H’s & T’s** (reversible causes)
- **Step 4:** Test yourself with **40+ NCLEX-style practice
questions** (full rationales)
- **Step 5:** Use **mnemonics** and **bolded key facts** for quick
recall
---
,2|Page
## Table of Contents
1. **Core ACLS Drug Categories (Nursing Focus)**
2. **Detailed Drug Profiles – Dosages, Routes, Indications**
3. **ACLS Algorithm Drug Summaries**
4. **Reversible Causes (H’s & T’s) – Nursing Implications**
5. **Drug Administration Tips (IV, IO, ET)**
6. **40+ Practice Questions with Rationales**
7. **Answer Key & Quick Reference Card**
---
# Part 1: Core ACLS Drug Categories
| Category | What It Does | Examples | When to Use (Nursing Pearl) |
|----------|--------------|----------|-------------------------------|
| **Vasopressors** | Tightens blood vessels → raises BP during CPR |
Epinephrine | **Pulseless arrest** – give q3–5 min |
| **Antiarrhythmics** | Stops abnormal heart rhythms | Amiodarone,
Lidocaine, Adenosine | **VF/pVT** after 3rd shock; **SVT**
(Adenosine) |
| **Chronotropes** | Speeds up heart rate | Atropine | **Symptomatic
bradycardia** (HR <50 + symptoms) |
,3|Page
| **Inotropes** | Increases heart squeeze strength | Dopamine,
Dobutamine | **Shock after ROSC** (low BP + low output) |
| **Electrolytes** | Corrects mineral imbalances | Magnesium, Calcium |
**Torsades** (Magnesium); **Hyperkalemia** (Calcium) |
| **Thrombolytics** | Dissolves clots | Alteplase (tPA) | **STEMI**,
**massive PE**, **stroke** (ischemic) |
---
# Part 2: Detailed Drug Profiles (Nursing Student Focus)
## Epinephrine – The #1 ACLS Drug
| Aspect | Details |
|--------|---------|
| **Dose (Pulseless Arrest)** | 1 mg IV/IO **q3–5 minutes** |
| **Dose (Anaphylaxis)** | 0.3–0.5 mg **IM** (repeat q5–15 min) |
| **Dose (Bradycardia infusion)** | 2–10 mcg/min IV infusion |
| **Route** | IV, IO, ET (2–2.5 mg if no IV/IO) |
| **Onset** | Immediate (IV) |
| **Nursing Pearl** | **Do not mix with sodium bicarbonate** – they
inactivate each other |
, 4|Page
> **Memory Trick:** “Epinephrine = **E**very **P**ulseless
**I**nterval” – give every 3–5 minutes.
---
## Amiodarone – VF/pVT Workhorse
| Aspect | Details |
|--------|---------|
| **Dose (VF/pVT)** | 300 mg IV/IO push → if no response, **150
mg** in 3–5 min |
| **Maintenance** | 1 mg/min x 6h → then 0.5 mg/min x 18h |
| **Route** | IV/IO only (not ET) |
| **Nursing Pearl** | **Dilute in D5W** (not saline) – precipitates.
Give over 10 min if patient has pulse. |
> **Memory Trick:** “Amio = **A**fter **M**ultiple
**I**mpulses” – give after 3rd shock.
---
## Lidocaine – Second-Line Antiarrhythmic
