Additional Directives Flashcards
What is ondansetron?
- aka Zofran
- 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (blocks action of serotonin which is a natural substance that may cause nausea/vomiting)
- commonly used in cancer pt receiving chemo, radiation therapy, surgery (post-op) & palliative pt at home
What is apomorphine and why is apomorphine use a contraindication for ondansetron?
What it is: dopamine agonist which stimulates D2 receptors in the part of the brain that affects locomotor control (so commonly used to tx parkinson’s)
Concomitant use of apomorphine & ondansetron can cause profound hypotension & LOC therefore contraindicated
What is dimenhydrinate?
What mechanism of action does this drug have, and what situations would dimenhydrinate work well/not well in?
- aka Gravol
- only functions on certain causes of nausea
- works via H1-antagonism of vestibular center, which reduces input to the vomiting center of the brain (so it is minimally effective when cause of nausea is gastric irritation)
- Works well for vertigo-induced nausea
True or False. Not all nausea requires treatment.
True. Sometimes nausea may be a protective mechanism (such as in toxic ingestion) so you want the body to be nauseous/vomit
Nausea/Vomiting Medical Directive
Indications, Conditions
Indications: Nausea OR vomiting
Conditions:
* Ondansetron: weight ≥25 kg, unaltered LOA (bc may cause further drowsiness)
* Dimenhydrinate: Age <65y.o. (bc may cause ++drowsiness and delirium in elderly population); weight ≥25 kg, unaltered LOA
Nausea/Vomiting Medical Directive
Contraindications
Ondansetron:
* Allergy to ondansetron
* Prolonged QT syndrome (known to pt)
* Apomorphine use
Dimenhydrinate:
* allergy or sensitivity to dimenhydrinate or other antihistamines
* OD on antihistamines or anticholinergics or TCAs (can exacerbate OD states; has anticholinergic and Na+ channel blocking effects
* Co-administration of diphenhydramine
Why is prolonged QT syndrome a contraindication for ondansetron?
May cause additional QT prolongation (>440ms or 0.44sec for men; >460ms for women) because it blocks K+ channels
This increases risk of R-on-T & torsades with QT interval >500ms
Nausea/Vomiting Medical Directive
Treatment & Clinical Considerations
Treatment: Consider ondansetron; Consider dimenhydrinate (seen screenshot)
Clinical Considerations:
1) IV admin of dimenhydrinate for PCP AIV only.
2) Prior to IV administration, dilute dimenhydrinate [50mg/ml] 1:9 with NS or d5W. If administered IM do not dilute.
3) If a patient has received Ondansetron and has no relief of their nausea & vomiting sx after 30 min, dimenhydrinate may be conisdered.
What situations would have preferred uses for ondansetron over dimenhydrinate?
- cause from drug interactions (chemo, alcohol, cannabis, illicit drugs)
- head trauma (less risk of ICP)
- if taking benadryl, anticholinergics, & TCAs
- elderly patients
What situations would dimenhydrinate administration be preferred over ondansetron?
- motion sickness/vertigo
- upset stomach due to food ingestion
- avoid with head injuries (potential to cause increased ICP)
- hyperemesis for preggo patient
- best for people on SSRIs
What is serotonin syndrome?
- Pts who may be on multiple, high doses or have sensitivities to SSRIs or SNRIs may be at higher risk of serotonin syndrome when given ondansetron
S/S:
* nervousness
* NVD
* dilated puils and tremors
* agitation, restlessnes
* muscle twitching, seizures, abnormal side-to-side eye movements
* confusion, disorientation, delirium
* tachycardiac, HTN, high temp, LOS
According to the BLS PCS, what extenuating circumstances would prevent you from complying with the standards? (7)
- Scene conditions
- overwhelmed resources
- equipment failure
- safety concerns
- patient location
- distance from receiving facility
- others not specified (eg. language barrier)
As per Patient Assessment Standard in BLS PCS, what types of calls warrant cardiac monitor?
- All VSA (except those meeting obvi death criteria)
- Unconscious or altered LOC
- collapse/syncope
- OD
- Major or Multi-system trauma
- Moderate to severe SOB
- Suspected cardiac ischemia
- CVA
- Hypothermia, heat exhaustion or heat illness
- Submersion injury
- Electrocution
- Abnormal vital signs as per ALS PCS
- If requested by sending facility staff (for inter-facility transfers)
As per Patient Transport Standard in BLS PCS, what information (if available) would you need when completing inter-facility transfers?
- Name of sending physician
- Name of receiving facility and receiving physician
- Verbal and/or written tx orders from sending physician
- Transfer papers/ personal effects, etc.
- Name(s) of facility staff and list of equipment that is accompanying the pt
As per Patient Refusal/Emergency Treatment Standard, when can you provide emergency tx/transport of an incapable person without consent?
- If Pt does not have capacity
- If Pt is _experiencing severe sufferin_g or at risk of sustaining serious bodily harm if tx is not provided promptly
- If delay in obtaining consent/refusal on pt’s behalf will prolong suffering or put them at risk of sustaining serious bodily harm
and then just document your decision