Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Practice Test 2025 - Free PALS Practice Questions and Study Guide

Bradycardia induced by acetylcholine is typically treated with atropine because it acts as an anticholinergic agent. Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, primarily exerts its effects through the vagus nerve, which can lead to an increased heart rate. When bradycardia occurs due to excess vagal tone or direct vagal stimulation, atropine blocks the action of acetylcholine at parasympathetic sites in the heart. This results in an increased heart rate and improved cardiac output.

Atropine is especially effective in addressing bradycardia in emergency situations because its action is rapid, and it can help stabilize the heart rhythm. The other options, while useful in different clinical scenarios, do not directly counteract the effects of acetylcholine on heart rate in the context of bradycardia caused by excessive vagal stimulation. Adrenaline, for instance, may be used to stimulate heart rate but is not the first-line treatment for bradycardia due to acetylcholine. Adenosine is primarily used for treating supraventricular tachycardias, and calcium chloride is used in specific cases like calcium channel blocker overdose but is not indicated for treating vagally induced bradycardia