Which are listed contraindications to epinephrine?

Which are listed contraindications to epinephrine?

• A. Cardiac chest pain
• B. Hypothermia
• C. Hypersensitivity
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Epinephrine has certain situations where its use is avoided because it can worsen underlying conditions or trigger complications. Hypersensitivity to epinephrine is an outright contraindication—you don’t want to give a drug if the patient is allergic. In addition, cardiac chest pain indicates possible ischemia, and epinephrine can increase heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand, potentially worsening chest pain or precipitating arrhythmias. Hypothermia is also listed as a contraindication in some protocols because the cold state can alter drug response and raise the risk of adverse cardiac events. Because all three conditions are identified as contraindications in the material, the correct choice is that all of the above are contraindications to epinephrine.

Epinephrine has certain situations where its use is avoided because it can worsen underlying conditions or trigger complications. Hypersensitivity to epinephrine is an outright contraindication—you don’t want to give a drug if the patient is allergic. In addition, cardiac chest pain indicates possible ischemia, and epinephrine can increase heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand, potentially worsening chest pain or precipitating arrhythmias. Hypothermia is also listed as a contraindication in some protocols because the cold state can alter drug response and raise the risk of adverse cardiac events. Because all three conditions are identified as contraindications in the material, the correct choice is that all of the above are contraindications to epinephrine.