ch 12 Flashcards
What is pharmacology
the study of drugs and their interactions with the body
What is a medication
a substance used to treat or prevent disease or relieve pain
What is a drug
any substance that can cause a physiological change
What is the difference between a drug and a medication
medication implies therapeutic use drug is a broader term
What is a generic name
the nonproprietary name (e.g.
What is a trade name
the brand name given by the manufacturer (e.g.
What is a prescription medication
a drug regulated and dispensed only with a physician’s order
What is an over-the-counter medication
a drug that can be bought without a prescription
What are the six rights of medication administration
right patient right medication right dose right route right time right documentation
What are the routes of medication administration
oral, IV, IM, subcutaneous, inhalation, sublingual, transcutaneous, intranasal, etc.
What does parenteral mean
any route of medication that does not involve the GI tract
What does enteral mean
any route that uses the GI tract (usually oral or rectal)
What is the oral route
swallowing a pill or liquid — slow onset but safe and simple
What is sublingual administration
placing medication under the tongue for rapid absorption
What is inhalation route
breathing in a medication (e.g.
What is intramuscular (IM) injection
injection into the muscle — fast absorption (used in epinephrine auto-injectors)
What is subcutaneous injection
injection under the skin — slower than IM
What is intravenous (IV) injection
into a vein — fastest and most direct route
What is intranasal (IN) administration
medication sprayed into the nostrils using an atomizer
What is transcutaneous administration
medication applied to and absorbed through the skin (e.g.
What are the components of a medication label
name dose concentration and expiration date
What is a contraindication
a reason not to give a medication (e.g.
What is a side effect
an unintended action of a medication
What is an untoward effect
a harmful or dangerous side effect
What is an indication
a reason or condition for giving a medication
What is a dose
the amount of medication given
What is a metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
a pressurized canister that delivers a measured spray of medication
What is the EMT’s role in medication administration
assist with or administer certain medications as approved by local protocols
What is peer-assisted medication
when the EMT helps their partner take medication
What is patient-assisted medication
when the EMT helps the patient take their own prescribed medication
What is EMT-administered medication
when the EMT gives the medication directly to the patient
What is oxygen used for
hypoxia dyspnea shock trauma and other respiratory or perfusion issues
What is activated charcoal used for
poisoning or overdose — binds toxins in the GI tract
What are contraindications for activated charcoal
decreased LOC inability to swallow ingestion of caustics or hydrocarbons
What is aspirin used for
chest pain suspected to be from cardiac origin — reduces clotting
What is a common aspirin dose
160–325 mg (usually 2–4 baby aspirin)
What are contraindications for aspirin
allergy recent bleeding and active ulcer
What is nitroglycerin used for
angina and chest pain from cardiac origin — dilates blood vessels
What is a contraindication for nitroglycerin
low BP (<100 systolic) and recent use of erectile dysfunction meds
What is the usual dose of nitroglycerin
0.3–0.6 mg tablet or spray repeated up to 3 doses
What is epinephrine used for
severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) — constricts blood vessels and opens airways
What is the route of epinephrine
intramuscular (IM) (typically via auto-injector)
What is a common adult dose of epinephrine
0.3 mg for adults and 0.15 mg for children
What are signs a patient needs epinephrine
wheezing hypotension hives swelling and airway compromise
What is naloxone (Narcan) used for
opioid overdose — reverses respiratory depression
What is the route of naloxone
intranasal or IM
What is a typical dose of naloxone
2 mg IN or 0.4 mg IM — can repeat as needed
What is a bronchodilator
a medication that relaxes the muscles around the airways
What is albuterol used for
asthma wheezing and bronchospasm
What are common side effects of albuterol
increased heart rate anxiety and shakiness
What are important steps after giving a medication
document time dose route response and patient condition
Why is it important to reassess after medication administration
to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse effects
What is pharmacokinetics
the study of how a drug moves through the body (absorption
What factors affect drug absorption
route of administration blood flow pH surface area and solubility
Where are most drugs metabolized
the liver
How are most drugs excreted
by the kidneys in urine
What is the onset of action
how quickly the medication begins to work
What is the duration of action
how long the medication’s effects last
What is a therapeutic effect
the desired or intended effect of a medication
What is a contraindication
a condition in which a medication should not be given
What is a relative contraindication
a situation where a drug can be given if the benefit outweighs the risk
What is a dose-response relationship
the relationship between the dose and the drug’s effect
What are the three names of a drug
chemical name generic name and trade name
What is a synergistic effect
when two drugs work together to enhance each other’s effects
What is an antagonistic effect
when one drug blocks or reduces the effect of another
What is a cumulative effect
when the drug builds up in the body due to slow metabolism or excretion
What is tolerance
a reduced response to a drug over time (requiring higher doses)
What is dependence
a physical or psychological need for a drug
What is a standing order
a protocol authorizing an EMT to administer specific medications without direct contact
What is medical direction
guidance provided by a physician either online (direct) or offline (standing orders)
What should you do before assisting with a patient’s own medication
ensure it’s prescribed to them not expired and appropriate for the current condition
Patient with chest pain, history of MI. What medications can you assist with?
Aspirin and nitroglycerin (if prescribed and BP is adequate)
Patient is wheezing with a prescribed albuterol inhaler. What’s your role?
Assist with administration, ensure correct dose, and monitor for improvement and side effects
Unresponsive patient with pinpoint pupils and slow respirations. What medication?
Administer naloxone intranasally, support respirations, and monitor
Patient stung by a bee, now has hives, wheezing, and low BP. What should you do?
Administer epinephrine (if allowed per protocol), provide high-flow O₂, and transport rapidly
Alert patient ingested unknown pills 15 minutes ago. What can you give?
Activated charcoal (if no contraindications like altered LOC or caustic substance)
A 62-year-old man complains of crushing chest pain and shortness of breath. He has prescribed nitroglycerin. His BP is 88/60 mmHg.
Do not administer nitroglycerin — systolic BP is below 100 mmHg. Give oxygen, transport, and contact medical control.
A 28-year-old woman has a severe asthma attack. She’s conscious but struggling to breathe. She has a prescribed metered-dose inhaler (MDI).
Assist with MDI per protocol. Ensure she takes a full breath, holds it for a few seconds, and monitor for improvement or side effects (like increased heart rate or tremors).
A 45-year-old man is found unresponsive with drug paraphernalia nearby. He is breathing 6 times per minute and has constricted pupils.
Administer naloxone intranasally (IN) or IM per protocol. Provide assisted ventilations with BVM and reassess frequently.
A 50-year-old woman presents with hives, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing after eating shrimp. Her friend hands you her epinephrine auto-injector.
Confirm it’s prescribed to her, not expired, and inject it into the lateral thigh. Monitor airway and breathing closely, apply oxygen, and prepare for rapid transport.
A 7-year-old child accidentally swallowed a bottle of acetaminophen 15 minutes ago. They are alert and able to follow commands.
Contact medical control for activated charcoal administration. If allowed, administer appropriate pediatric dose orally.
An 80-year-old man with a history of heart failure has shortness of breath. He took his nitroglycerin 10 minutes ago with no relief. BP is 120/80.
Ask if he has another dose. If so, assist with a second dose (if within protocol, usually up to 3 doses total, 5 minutes apart). Monitor vitals and prepare for transport.
A 35-year-old woman is hyperventilating due to anxiety. She insists on oxygen, but has normal vitals and no respiratory distress.
Calm and reassure the patient. Do not give oxygen unnecessarily. Coach her breathing and monitor for changes.
A diabetic patient is found unconscious. Bystanders say he took insulin but didn’t eat breakfast.
Suspect hypoglycemia. If local protocol allows and oral glucose is appropriate (i.e., if the patient regains consciousness and can swallow), administer it. Otherwise, transport and monitor ABCs.
A 25-year-old woman took an unknown substance at a party. She’s anxious, tachycardic, and says she feels “like her heart is racing.”
Suspect stimulant use. Provide oxygen, monitor vitals, reassure her, and transport. Avoid restraint unless necessary for safety.
A 70-year-old man is pale, diaphoretic, and confused. BP is 90/60, HR 52, RR 22. He has a nitro patch on his chest.
Suspect hypotension due to nitro. Remove patch, lay the patient flat (if tolerated), provide oxygen, and transport rapidly. Notify medical control.
