Emergency Drugs & Triage Notes

Triage Colors

  • Red tag: Immediate – life-threatening but survivable if treated quickly. (Mnemonic: SOB-Burns-Bleed)
  • Yellow tag: Delayed – serious but stable; can wait 1 hour. (Mnemonic: Big Cuts – Bone fractures, deep lacerations)
  • Green tag: Minor – “walking wounded” with minimal injuries.
  • Black tag: Dead/Expectant – no breathing, circulation, or mental status. (No B-C-M)
  • Mnemonic for Triage colors: Stop, Slow, Go, Gone (Red, Yellow, Green, Black)

Cardiac Arrest / Shock / Arrhythmias

  • Epinephrine
    • Use: First-line drug for cardiac arrest and anaphylaxis
    • SE: Tachycardia, hypertension
    • NR: Monitor HR, BP, ECG; resuscitation equipment ready
  • Amiodarone
    • Use: Drug for ventricular fibrillation & atrial fibrillation
    • SE: Bradycardia, thyroid dysfunction, pulmonary toxicity
    • NR: Monitor ECG, thyroid, lungs
  • Lidocaine
    • Use: Drug for ventricular arrhythmias & local anesthesia
    • SE: Dizziness, seizures, CNS toxicity
    • NR: Monitor ECG, toxicity signs
  • Dopamine
    • Use: Drug for shock & bradycardia that activates dopamine receptors
    • SE: Arrhythmias, extravasation necrosis
    • NR: Monitor urine output, infusion site
  • Norepinephrine
    • Use: Drug for severe hypotension & shock that causes vasoconstriction
    • SE: Hypertension, arrhythmias, tissue necrosis
    • NR: Central line use, monitor BP
  • Adenosine
    • Use: Drug for SVT (rapid termination)
    • SE: Flushing, chest discomfort, transient asystole
    • NR: Push rapid IV bolus, monitor ECG
  • Isoproterenol
    • Use: Drug for bradycardia/heart block (rarely used for asthma now)
    • SE: Tachycardia, arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia
    • NR: Continuous ECG & BP monitoring
  • Procainamide
    • Use: Drug for arrhythmias, AF, lupus-like syndrome side effect?
    • SE: Hypotension, lupus-like syndrome
    • NR: Monitor ECG, BP, blood counts

Short-acting beta-blocker for SVT/AF/tachycardia

  • Esmolol
    • Use: Short-acting beta-blocker for SVT, AF, tachycardia
    • SE: Bradycardia, hypotension, bronchospasm
    • NR: Monitor ECG, taper gradually

Respiratory Drugs

  • Albuterol
    • Use: First-line bronchodilator for asthma & COPD
    • SE: Tremors, tachycardia
    • NR: Monitor HR, teach inhaler use
  • Magnesium Sulfate
    • Use: Drug for severe asthma, torsades de pointes, eclampsia
    • SE: Hypotension, respiratory depression
    • NR: Monitor RR, reflexes; calcium gluconate antidote

Antidotes

  • Flumazenil
    • Use: Antidote for benzodiazepine overdose
    • SE: Dizziness, seizures
    • NR: Monitor for withdrawal, seizures
  • Naloxone
    • Use: Antidote for opioid overdose
    • SE: Withdrawal, hypertension, arrhythmias
    • NR: Monitor RR, O₂ sat; naloxone available
  • Hydroxocobalamin
    • Use: Antidote for cyanide poisoning
    • SE: Red urine, hypertension
    • NR: Monitor vitals, hypersensitivity
  • Sodium Bicarbonate
    • Use: Drug that corrects metabolic acidosis/poisoning
    • SE: Alkalosis, hypokalemia
    • NR: Monitor ABG, electrolytes
  • Calcium Gluconate
    • Use: Antidote that stabilizes the heart in hyperkalemia/hypocalcemia
    • SE: Arrhythmias, tissue necrosis
    • NR: Administer slowly, monitor ECG

Other Emergency Drugs

  • Nitroglycerin
    • Use: Drug for angina, MI, vasodilation
    • SE: Headache, hypotension
    • NR: Monitor BP, use infusion pump IV
  • Furosemide
    • Use: Loop diuretic for pulmonary edema & CHF
    • SE: Hypokalemia, dehydration, ototoxicity
    • NR: Monitor I&O, electrolytes, renal function
  • Hydrocortisone
    • Use: Steroid for adrenal crisis & allergies
    • SE: Hyperglycemia, weight gain, immunosuppression
    • NR: Monitor glucose, weight, infection signs
  • Dexamethasone
    • Use: Steroid for allergies & inflammation with insomnia & GI side effects
    • SE: Insomnia, hyperglycemia, GI ulcers
    • NR: Monitor glucose, GI distress
  • Fentanyl
    • Use: Opioid analgesic for pain & surgical sedation
    • SE: Respiratory depression, constipation, bradycardia
    • NR: Monitor RR, O₂ sat; naloxone available
  • Diazepam
    • Use: Benzodiazepine for seizures & anxiety
    • SE: Drowsiness, hypotension, respiratory depression
    • NR: Monitor vitals, sedation, RR

Mnemonics Quick Recall

  • Triage: Stop (Red), Slow (Yellow), Go (Green), Gone (Black)
  • Cardiac/Arrhythmia drugs: E-A-L-D-N-P-E-A-I
  • Respiratory: Air Moves

Mnemonics – Additional Pairs

  • Antidotes: Fast Neutralization Helps Save
  • Others: New Fluid Helps During Fights