When are Calcium and Sodium Bicarbonate indicated?

• A. Only if specifically required in a given Cardiac Emergencies protocol
• B. Always
• C. Only in pediatric patients
• D. Only with acidosis

Answer: (A)

Calcium and sodium bicarbonate aren’t universal fixes in cardiac emergencies; their use is guided by specific clinical indications in the protocol. You administer them only when the protocol for the situation calls for it, because they can help in particular conditions but may be unnecessary or harmful in others. For example, calcium is used when there’s a scenario in which increasing calcium availability stabilizes cardiac membranes or improves contractility as defined by the protocol, and sodium bicarbonate is used in cases of certain metabolic disturbances or overdoses where its benefits are established by the protocol. Since these drugs carry risks if used inappropriately, they should be given only when explicitly required by the Cardiac Emergencies protocol.