Chapter 12 - Principles of Pharmacology

Question 1

A 31-year-old female is experiencing an acute asthma attack. She is conscious and alert but in obvious respiratory distress. After assisting her with her prescribed MDI, you should:

Select one:

A. administer another treatment in 30 seconds if she is still in distress.

B. contact medical control and apprise him or her of what you did.

C. check the drug’s expiration date to ensure that it is still current.

D. reassess the patient and document her response to the medication.

Answer 1

D. reassess the patient and document her response to the medication.

Question 2

A 62-year-old male is seen with crushing chest pain, which he describes as being the same kind of pain that he had with a previous heart attack. He has prescribed nitroglycerin but states that he has not taken any. After administering supplemental oxygen if needed and contacting medical control, you should:

Select one:

A. administer the nitroglycerin unless he has taken Viagra within the past 72 hours.

B. administer up to three doses of nitroglycerin before assessing his blood pressure.

C. assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic blood pressure is less than 100 mm Hg.

D. begin immediate transport and request a rendezvous with a paramedic unit.

Answer 2

C. assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic blood pressure is less than 100 mm Hg.

Question 3

Activated charcoal is an example of a(n):

Select one:

A. elixir.
B. suspension.
C. gel.
D. solution.

Answer 3

B. suspension.

Question 4

Advil, Nuprin, and Motrin are trade names for the generic medication:

Select one:

A. Nitrostat.
B. Acetaminophen.
C. Aspirin.
D. Ibuprofen

Answer 4

D. Ibuprofen

Question 5

After taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for an allergic reaction, a person begins experiencing drowsiness and a dry mouth. These findings are an example of a(n):

Select one:

A. untoward effect.
B. therapeutic effect.
C. unpredictable effect.
D. side effect.

Answer 5

D. side effect.

Question 6

In ___________ administration, you are administering medication to yourself or your partner.

Select one:

A. peer-assisted
B. paramedic-administered
C. patient-assisted
D. EMT-administered

Answer 6

A. peer-assisted

Question 7

Medications encased in a gelatin shell that are taken by mouth are called:

Select one:

A. caplets.
B. tablets.
C. pills.
D. capsules.

Answer 7

D. capsules.

Question 8

The amount of medication that is given is known as the _________.

Select one:

A. side effect
B. contraindication
C. indication
D. dose

Answer 8

D. dose

Question 9

The process of binding or sticking to a surface is called:

Select one:

A. suspension.
B. absorption.
C. adsorption.
D. digestion.

Answer 9

C. adsorption.

Question 10

The term “pharmacology” is MOST accurately defined as:

Select one:

A. the study of drugs and their actions on the body.
B. the study of drug excretion from the human body.
C. the study of drugs that are produced illegally.
D. the study of how medications affect the brain.

Answer 10

A. the study of drugs and their actions on the body.

Question 11

What is the route of administration for the EpiPen auto-injector?

Select one:

A. Intravenous
B. Intramuscular
C. Sublingual
D. Intraosseous

Answer 11

B. Intramuscular

Question 12

When assessing an elderly male who complains of nausea and generalized weakness, you find that he takes atorvastatin (Lipitor) and amlodipine (Norvasc). These medications suggest a history of:

Select one:

A. bacterial infection.
B. non–insulin-dependent diabetes.
C. reactive airway disease.
D. cardiovascular disease.

Answer 12

D. cardiovascular disease.

Question 13

Which of the following clinical signs would necessitate the administration of naloxone (Narcan)?

Select one:

A. Slow respirations
B. Hypertension
C. Extreme agitation
D. Tachycardia

Answer 13

A. Slow respirations

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a rules-based medication error?

Select one:

A. The EMT accidentally gives a higher drug dose than what is indicated.

B. The EMT administers a drug that is contraindicated for the patient.

C. The EMT administers a drug that is not approved by the medical director.

D. The EMT administers the correct drug but gives it by the wrong route.

Answer 14

C. The EMT administers a drug that is not approved by the medical director.

Question 15

Which of the following is required for an EMT to administer a drug to a patient?

Select one:

A. Medical direction approval
B. A patient with stable vital signs
C. A patient with an altered level of consciousness
D. An alert adult patient

Answer 15

A. Medical direction approval

Question 16

Which of the following patient populations typically require a modified drug dose?

Select one:

A. Females
B. Pediatric patients
C. Middle adults
D. Patients with asthma

Answer 16

B. Pediatric patients

Question 17

Which of the following statements regarding glucose is correct?

Select one:

A. Glucose is usually administered by the EMT via the intravenous route.

B. Glucose is a complex sugar that rapidly absorbs into the bloodstream.

C. Glucose is a simple sugar that is readily absorbed by the bloodstream.

D. Glucose is given to patients who are suspected of being hyperglycemic.

Answer 17

C. Glucose is a simple sugar that is readily absorbed by the bloodstream.

Question 18

Which of the following statements regarding parenteral medications is correct?

Select one:

A. Parenteral medications are absorbed by the body through the digestive system.

B. Parenteral medications are absorbed more quickly than enteral medications.

C. Compared to enteral medications, parenteral medications have fewer side effects.

D. Tylenol is an example of a parenteral medication because it is taken orally.

Answer 18

B. Parenteral medications are absorbed more quickly than enteral medications.

Question 19

While assisting a paramedic in the attempted resuscitation of a 55-year-old male in cardiac arrest, you should expect the paramedic to:

Select one:

A. administer drugs via the IV route to achieve the fastest effect.

B. give the patient nitroglycerin to increase his blood pressure.

C. give the patient activated charcoal to rule out a drug overdose.

D. withhold drug therapy until an intraosseous catheter is in place.

Answer 19

A. administer drugs via the IV route to achieve the fastest effect.

Question 20

You are dispatched to a state park for a young female experiencing an allergic reaction. Your assessment reveals that her breathing is severely labored and her blood pressure is very low. You carry epinephrine auto-injectors on your ambulance and have been trained and approved by your medical director to administer them. As your partner gives the patient supplemental oxygen, you attempt to contact medical control but do not have a signal from your cell phone. You should:

Select one:

A. administer epinephrine to the patient, begin immediate transport, and attempt to contact medical control en route to the hospital.

B. place her in a supine position, keep her warm, begin transport to the hospital, and request a paramedic intercept en route.

C. notify dispatch and request that a paramedic unit respond to the scene so they can administer epinephrine to the patient.

D. immediately load the patient into the ambulance, begin transport, and reattempt to contact medical control when you receive a cell signal.

Answer 20

A. administer epinephrine to the patient, begin immediate transport, and attempt to contact medical control en route to the hospital.

Question 21

Which of the following statements regarding medications is FALSE?
A. Many medications are known by different names.
B. Some medications affect more than one body system.
C. Over-the-counter drugs must be prescribed by a physician.
D. EMTs should ask about any herbal remedies or vitamins that the patient may be taking.

Answer 21

C. Over-the-counter drugs must be prescribed by a physician.

Question 22

Which of the following routes of medication administration has the fastest effect?
A. Oral
B. Intravenous
C. Subcutaneous
D. Intramuscular

Answer 22

B. Intravenous

Question 23

When administered to a patient, a metered-dose inhaler will:
A. deliver the same dose each time it is administered.
B. be ineffective when given to patients with asthma.
C. deliver a different dose each time it is administered.
D. be delivered to the lungs over a period of 6 to 8 hours.

Answer 23

A. deliver the same dose each time it is administered.

Question 24

You are managing a 62-year-old woman who complains of crushing chest pain. Her blood pressure is 84/64 mm Hg, and her heart rate is 110 beats/min. Medical control advises you to assist her in taking her prescribed nitroglycerin. After receiving this order, you should:
A. reassess the patient’s heart rate and then assist with the nitroglycerin.
B. repeat the patient’s blood pressure to the physician and confirm the order.
C. wait 10 minutes, reassess the blood pressure, and then give the nitroglycerin.
D. administer the nitroglycerin to the patient and then reassess her blood pressure.

Answer 24

B. repeat the patient’s blood pressure to the physician and confirm the order.

Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator and lowers blood pressure (BP); therefore, it should not be given to patients with a systolic BP less than 100 mm Hg. If you receive an order to give nitroglycerin to a patient with a systolic BP less than 100 mm Hg, you should ensure that the physician is aware of the patient’s BP, then reconfirm the order.

Question 25

Activated charcoal is indicated for patients who have ingested certain drugs and toxins because it:
A. acts as a direct reversal agent for most medications.
B. induces vomiting before the chemical can be digested.
C. detoxifies the drug before it can cause harm to the patient.
D. binds to chemicals in the stomach and delays absorption.

Answer 25

D. binds to chemicals in the stomach and delays absorption.

Question 26

With regard to pharmacology, the term “action” refers to the:
A. ability of a drug to cause harm.
B. ability of a drug to produce side effects.
C. amount of time it will take the drug to work.
D. expected effect of a drug on the patient’s body.

Answer 26

D. expected effect of a drug on the patient’s body.

Question 27

Which of the following patients is the BEST candidate for oral glucose?
A. Conscious patient who is showing signs of hypoglycemia
B. Unconscious diabetic patient with a documented low blood sugar
C. Conscious diabetic patient suspected of being hyperglycemic
D. Semiconscious patient with signs and symptoms of low blood sugar

Answer 27

A. Conscious patient who is showing signs of hypoglycemia

Question 28

Epinephrine is given to patients with anaphylactic shock because of its effects of:
A. bronchodilation and vasodilation.
B. bronchodilation and vasoconstriction.
C. vasodilation and bronchoconstriction.
D. bronchoconstriction and vasoconstriction.

Answer 28

B. bronchodilation and vasoconstriction.

The two major complications associated with anaphylactic shock are bronchoconstriction, which impairs air movement in and out of the lungs, and vasodilation, which causes a drop in blood pressure. Epinephrine reverses these processes by causing bronchodilation and vasoconstriction, thereby improving breathing and increasing the blood pressure, respectively

Question 29

The process by which medications travel through body tissues until they reach the bloodstream is called:
A. adsorption.
B. onset of action.
C. absorption.
D. transformation.

Answer 29

C. absorption.

Question 30

Which of the following statements regarding the epinephrine auto-injector is correct?
Select one:

A. The adult auto-injector delivers 0.5 to 1 mg of epinephrine.
B. The epinephrine auto-injector delivers a preset amount of the drug.
C. EMTs do not need physician authorization to use the auto-injector.
D. The auto-injector delivers epinephrine via the subcutaneous route.

Answer 30

B. The epinephrine auto-injector delivers a preset amount of the drug

Question 31

EMTs respond to a known heroin abuser who is unresponsive. If they give naloxone (Narcan) to this patient, the EMTs should recall that:
Select one:
A. naloxone administration could cause seizures in this patient.
B. naloxone should be administered in increments of 2 mg.
C. the effects of naloxone last longer than most opioid drugs.
D. naloxone should not be given if the patient’s breathing is slow.

Answer 31

A. naloxone administration could cause seizures in this patient.

Question 32

An EMT may administer aspirin to a patient if:
Select one:
A. the patient is currently experiencing hypotension.
B. transport time to the hospital is greater than 30 minutes.
C. authorization from medical control has been obtained.
D. the patient is believed to be experiencing an acute stroke.

Answer 32

C. authorization from medical control has been obtained.

Question 33

You are dispatched to a movie theater for a 39-year-old female with signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. As you are assessing her, she pulls an epinephrine auto-injector out of her purse and hands it to you. After confirming the drug’s name and expiration date, you should:
Select one:
A. ask her if she takes other medications.
B. request an ALS ambulance to administer the drug.
C. administer the drug.
D. contact medical control.

Answer 33

D. contact medical control.

Question 34

You are treating a middle-aged man with chest discomfort. He has a history of three previous heart attacks and takes nitroglycerin as needed for chest pain. You have standing orders to administer aspirin to patients with suspected cardiac-related chest pain or discomfort. While your partner is preparing to give oxygen to the patient, you should:
Select one:
A. ensure that the patient’s systolic blood pressure is at least 100 mm Hg because aspirin dilates the blood vessels and can cause a drop in blood pressure.

B. assist the patient in taking one of his prescribed nitroglycerins, assess his vital signs, and give him aspirin if he is still experiencing chest discomfort.

C. contact medical control, apprise him or her of the patient’s chief complaint and vital signs, and request permission to give him aspirin.

D. confirm that the patient is not allergic to aspirin, give him the appropriate dose of aspirin, and document the time and dose given.

Answer 34

D. confirm that the patient is not allergic to aspirin, give him the appropriate dose of aspirin, and document the time and dose given.

Question 35

A medication with antagonistic properties is one that:
Select one:
A. blocks receptor sites and prevents other chemicals from attaching to them.

B. enhances the effects of another medication when given in a higher dose.

C. produces a cumulative effect when mixed with the same type of medication.

D. stimulates receptor sites and allows other chemicals to attach to them.

Answer 35

A. blocks receptor sites and prevents other chemicals from attaching to them.

Question 36

Which of the following medication routes has the slowest rate of absorption?
Select one:
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Inhalation
D. Rectal

Answer 36

A. Oral