Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Exam with our comprehensive study tools, featuring flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Strengthen your knowledge and boost your confidence now!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What infusion rate for dopamine is recommended as a treatment option if atropine is ineffective?

  1. 5-15 mcg/kg/min

  2. 2-10 mcg/kg/min

  3. 10-20 mcg/kg/min

  4. 1-5 mcg/kg/min

The correct answer is: 2-10 mcg/kg/min

The infusion rate of 2-10 mcg/kg/min for dopamine is recommended specifically for treating symptomatic bradycardia when atropine is ineffective. Dopamine acts on dopaminergic receptors and has the ability to increase heart rate and improve myocardial contractility through its beta-adrenergic effects. At lower doses, particularly in the 2-10 mcg/kg/min range, dopamine primarily affects dopaminergic receptors, leading to improved renal blood flow and vasodilation. As the rate is increased, dopamine's beta-adrenergic effects become more pronounced, which can stimulate the heart and increase cardiac output. Choosing this specific range helps achieve a balance of effectiveness in treating bradycardic symptoms while minimizing potential side effects that can occur at higher doses, which may lead to increased peripheral vascular resistance or excessive increases in heart rate. Thus, a dosage within this range supports both safety and effectiveness in acute management.