Sodium bicarbonate should be administered to a patient with suspected TCA overdose who has which ECG finding?

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Multiple Choice

Sodium bicarbonate should be administered to a patient with suspected TCA overdose who has which ECG finding?

Explanation:
Widened QRS on the ECG signals sodium channel blockade from tricyclic antidepressant overdose. This blockade slows ventricular conduction and raises the risk of dangerous rhythms. Giving sodium bicarbonate helps by alkalinizing the blood and increasing extracellular sodium, which counters the blockade at the sodium channels, narrowing the QRS and stabilizing conduction. Clinically, a QRS duration around or above 100 ms often prompts bicarbonate therapy to prevent deterioration. The other findings listed don’t indicate the need for bicarbonate in this scenario.

Widened QRS on the ECG signals sodium channel blockade from tricyclic antidepressant overdose. This blockade slows ventricular conduction and raises the risk of dangerous rhythms. Giving sodium bicarbonate helps by alkalinizing the blood and increasing extracellular sodium, which counters the blockade at the sodium channels, narrowing the QRS and stabilizing conduction. Clinically, a QRS duration around or above 100 ms often prompts bicarbonate therapy to prevent deterioration. The other findings listed don’t indicate the need for bicarbonate in this scenario.

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