Medical emergencies happen in dental offices and we must be ready to react and respond. Here is an acronym that could assist you in trying to remember the many emergencies along with the emergency drugs that could potentially be used to treat them.
C = Cardiac
Chest pain: oxygen, nitroglycerin
Myocardial infarction: oxygen, aspirin
Dysrhythmias: ACLS drugs
Sudden Cardiac Arrest: AED
Ventricular Fibrillation: ACLS drugs
A = Airway
Foreign body obstruction: airway techniques
Bronchospasm; albuterol, oxygen, epinephrine
Larygnospasm: oxygen, succinylcholine
Hyperventilation
Aspiration/Emesis: airway techniques
N = Neurological
Seizures: anticonvulsant
Transient ischemic attack
Stroke
Panic attack: antianxiety agent
Anxiety: antianxiety agent
A = Allergic and drug reaction
Latex allergy: diphenhydramine
Anaphylaxis: epinephrine, diphenhydramine, albuterol, dexamethasone
Allergic reaction: diphenhydramine
Epinephrine Overdose:
Benzodiazepine Overdose: flumazenil
Local anesthetic overdose: oxygen
Narcotic Overdose: narcan
L = Loss of consciousness
Syncope: ammonia
Sudden Cardiac Arrest: AED
Hypoglycemia: glucose
Stroke
