Status epilepticus — USMLE Step 3 MCQ
Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.
Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: A — Give intravenous magnesium, replete potassium, and stop QT-prolonging drugs
The best answer is “Give intravenous magnesium, replete potassium, and stop QT-prolonging drugs”. This is torsades de pointes due to acquired QT prolongation. Intravenous magnesium is first-line even if the serum magnesium were normal; potassium should be brought to a high-normal range and causative drugs stopped. Sustained instability would require unsynchronized shock.
Reference: AHA Adult Advanced Life Support: https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines/adult-advanced-life-support