BOF: 2.56
An 18-year-old male is admitted as an emergency. He has
ingested a large number of his mother’s propranolol tablets following a family
dispute. On admission he had a generalised seizure and is now very drowsy
responding only to painful stimuli. He has a severe bradycardia and is
hypotensive.
In this situation which of the following would be the
most suitable agent to use?
a)
Atropine
b)
Adrenaline
c)
Noradrenaline
d)
Glucagon
e)
Sodium bicarbonate
Answer:
d)
Glucagon acts by bypassing the blocked beta-receptors. It
activates adenyl cyclase thus forming cyclic AMP from ATP. AMP results in beta
stimulation directly.
