Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

How should a patient with sinus bradycardia and unifocal PVCs be treated?

1. 1mg of epinephrine

2. 0.5mg of atropine

3. Defibrillation

4. Amiodarone administration

The correct answer is: 0.5mg of atropine

In the case of a patient presenting with sinus bradycardia and unifocal premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), the most appropriate treatment is the administration of atropine. Atropine is an anticholinergic medication that works by blocking the effects of the vagus nerve on the heart, which can help increase the heart rate in cases of bradycardia. Sinus bradycardia can occur due to several factors, including increased vagal tone or medication effects. When the heart rate drops below normal levels and the patient is symptomatic, administering atropine can help to alleviate symptoms such as dizziness or weakness by increasing the heart rate. Additionally, while there are other treatment options for various arrhythmias, including epinephrine, defibrillation, and amiodarone, they are more suited for different scenarios. For instance, epinephrine is typically used in severe cases of shock or cardiac arrest, defibrillation is indicated for life-threatening ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and amiodarone is used primarily for the management of certain types of tachyarrhythmias. In this scenario, since the patient is bradycardic rather than tachycardic, atropine becomes