The nurse contacts the pharmacy to have the antidote for nerve agent poisoning available when victims of a mass casualty event arrive in the emergency department. Which agent is the nurse requesting?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The antidote for nerve agent poisoning is atropine sulfate. It is a medication that blocks the effects of acetylcholine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for transmitting nerve impulses to the muscles. Nerve agents such as Sarin and VX work by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine. This results in overstimulation of the muscles, including the muscles responsible for breathing, which can lead to respiratory failure and death. Atropine sulfate works by blocking the activity of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, which reduces the effects of nerve agent poisoning.

The Nurse Contacts the Pharmacy to Have the Antidote for Nerve