What is a known side effect of administering epinephrine?

In the context of administering epinephrine, increased heart rate is a well-known and common side effect. Epinephrine, a sympathomimetic agent, acts on both alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors, predominantly stimulating beta-1 receptors in the heart. This stimulation increases heart rate (positive chronotropic effect) and cardiac contractility (positive inotropic effect). This pharmacological action is particularly important in scenarios like anaphylaxis or cardiac arrest, where elevation of heart rate can help restore hemodynamic stability and improve cardiac output.

While hyperkalemia and lactic acidosis can occur in various clinical scenarios, they are not direct or common effects of epinephrine administration. Hyperkalemia is more often associated with renal failure, tissue breakdown, or certain medications, and lactic acidosis is typically due to hypoperfusion or metabolic derangements rather than the administration of epinephrine itself. Bradycardia, on the other hand, would generally be contrary to the expected outcome of epinephrine use, as it promotes increased heart rate.

So, the knowledge that epinephrine increases heart rate aligns with its role as a critical medication in emergency situations, highlighting its importance in acute care settings.