Question

What is a crash cart and why is it important to have in a clinical or hospital setting?

Research what kinds of drugs are stored in a crash cart. Keep in mind that there are other medications in there that may be used to treat conditions not involving the heart. Please select ONE drug that you may find in a crash cart and discuss the following:

1. Name of the drug selected
2. A situation where this drug would be used and how it is administered.
3. Briefly describe in your own words why a crash cart would be important for us to be familiar with in our career as a Cardiology Technologist.

Answer 1

1.Crash cart

A crash cart is a mobile cart stocked with emergency drugs and equipments with supplies for use by medical personnel especially during efforts to resuscinate a patiet.

2.Importance in clinical setting

Emergency situations are always expected in a clinical setting, in such conditions, some drugs and equipments are required to be grabbed as quickly as possible on the event of an emergency.  

These items has to be organized and stored together in one place , and it should be portable.

Therefore, a crash cart is convenient for the same. And it is essential for all hospital.

3. Important drugs in crash cart

medications are usually kept in the top drawer .

the common medications are:

atropine 1 mg

sodium bicarbonate

calcium chloride

dextrose 50%

dopamine

epinephrine

lidocaine

vasopressin

povidine iodine

sterile water.

4.drug selected: sodium bicarbonate

sodium bicarbonate injection may be indicated in the treatment of metabolic acidosis, which can occur in severe renal disease, uncontrolled doabetes, circulatory insufficiency due to shock, dehydration.

it is also used in certain drug intoxication., including barbiturates ,in poisoning by salicylates, or methyl alcohol, and to diminish nephrotoxicity.

5.how to administer:

in emergency, 300 to 400 ml of the 5% sodium bicarbonate injection should administer as rapidly as possible.

5. The medical crash cart is a vital part of the medical industry. It helps the health care workers to respond quickly in emergency events, and it contain all emergency medications as well as all necessary equipments needed.

It is portable so that aid in easy access.

Arranged systematically.

Professionals should be aware about the arrangement of medications and other articles so that ,it helps to provide a quick and efficient care to the patient.