Which of the following drugs acts as an antiarrhythmic during CPR?

Lidocaine is classified as an antiarrhythmic medication that is particularly effective in the management of ventricular arrhythmias, especially during advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocols. When a patient is experiencing ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, lidocaine helps to stabilize the cardiac membrane, reducing the likelihood of abnormal electrical activity that can lead to ineffective heart contractions or further arrhythmias.

In the context of CPR, it is crucial to restore a stable and effective heart rhythm. The use of lidocaine is pertinent during scenarios where defibrillation is not immediately successful or where there is a need to manage persistent ventricular arrhythmias after electrical intervention. Its action on the sodium channels in the cardiac myocytes enhances cardiac excitability and helps restore normal conduction, making it invaluable during resuscitation efforts when arrhythmias are present.

Other medications listed, such as atropine, naloxone, and epinephrine, serve different purposes during resuscitation. Atropine is primarily used for bradycardia rather than arrhythmias, naloxone is an opioid antagonist crucial for reversing opioid overdose, and epinephrine is a vasopressor that enhances perfusion during CPR rather than directly addressing heart rhythm abnormalities. Thus