Chapter 18: Pharmacology

Question 1

The symptoms or circumstances for which a medication is given are called:
  contraindications. 
  untoward effects. 
  side effects. 
  indications.

Answer 1

Indications
CORRECT. Indications are specific signs, symptoms, or circumstances under which it is appropriate to administer the drug to a patient.

Question 2

Nitroglycerin is indicated for which of the following chief complaints?
  Chest pain 
  Difficulty breathing 
  Decreased level of consciousness 
  Headache

Answer 2

Chest pain

CORRECT. Angina pectoris, or chest pain, is the primary indicator for the administration of nitroglycerin.

Question 3

Which of the following is often prescribed for a patient with a heart condition?
Non-aspirin pain relievers such as Tylenol
Epinephrine auto-injector
Nitroglycerin
Ventolin

Answer 3

Nitroglycerin

CORRECT. Patients with a history of cardiac-related chest pain will commonly be prescribed nitroglycerin.

Question 4

Which of the following is a desired action of epinephrine delivered by auto-injector?
  Decrease in blood pressure 
  Dilation of coronary arteries 
  Constriction of blood vessels 
  Decreased perfusion of tissues

Answer 4

Constriction of blood vessels

CORRECT. One of the actions of anaphylaxis is low blood pressure from vasodilation; epinephrine counters that by causing vasoconstriction.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a medication's trade name?
  Oxygen 
  Nitrostat 
  Epinephrine 
  4 dihydroxyphenyl acetate

Answer 5

Nitrostat

Question 6

Albuterol and epinephrine both have bronchodilation properties that improve the amount of oxygen that a person can inhale and absorb. However, albuterol is administered only for asthma, whereas epinephrine is administered for both asthma and anaphylaxis. Why is epinephrine, and not Albuterol, the first choice for anaphylaxis?
Albuterol slows down the heart rate too much.
Albuterol is not a vasoconstrictor.
Albuterol makes the heart rate increase too much.
Albuterol drops the blood pressure too low.

Answer 6

Albuterol is not a vasoconstrictor.

CORRECT. Epinephrine not only is a bronchodilator, but it is also a powerful vasoconstrictor. Epinephrine constricts the blood vessels, which reduces the life-threatening swelling of the airway passages.

Question 7

You are on the scene of a 44-year-old female patient who has attempted suicide by taking all 30 pills of her antidepressant medication at once. You are ordered by medical control to administer activated charcoal. How will activated charcoal reduce the effects of the medication?
Activated charcoal will cause the patient to vomit the medication.
Activated charcoal will coat the intestines, preventing absorption.
Activated charcoal will inactivate the patient’s stomach acid.
Activated charcoal will bind to the medication, reducing absorption.

Answer 7

Activated charcoal will bind to the medication, reducing absorption.
CORRECT. Activated charcoal works by binding to poisons and reducing the amount of poison that enters the bloodstream.

Question 8

A contraindication for giving Nitrostat is a drug interaction with what medications?
Viagra, Levitra, or medication for erectile dysfunction
Nitroglycerin, Ventolin, and epinephrine
Oral glucose, activated charcoal, and aspirin
Sildenafil, vardenafil, and epinephrine

Answer 8

Viagra, Levitra, or medication for erectile dysfunction

CORRECT. Nitrostat is definitely contraindicated if the patient has taken any medication for erectile dysfunction.

Question 9

You have just administered nitroglycerin to a 68-year-old patient. Within a few minutes, she complains of feeling faint and lightheaded, but states that she is still having some chest pain. Which of the following would be the best sequence of actions?
Increase the amount of oxygen you are giving to the patient before administering a second dose of nitroglycerin.
Lower the head of the stretcher and take the patient’s blood pressure.
Administer activated charcoal to prevent further absorption of the nitroglycerin and closely monitor the patient’s blood pressure.
Advise the patient that this is a normal occurrence and administer a second dose of nitroglycerin.

Answer 9

Lower the head of the stretcher and take the patient’s blood pressure.

CORRECT. Since the patient’s symptoms are an indication of hypotension, it is best to lower the patient’s head and obtain her blood pressure before deciding on next steps.

Question 10

How is activated charcoal, which is carried by some EMS systems, supplied for use in emergency situations?
As a fine liquid spray for inhalation
As a gel or paste
As a powder, which is mixed with water before administration
As tablets

Answer 10

As a powder, which is mixed with water before administration

Question 11

Nitroglycerin (Nitro) is used for patients with recurrent chest pain or a history of heart attack. Nitro is most commonly supplied in what two forms?
  Pills and spray 
  Pills and injectable 
  Ointment and pills 
  Aerosol and spray

Answer 11

Pills and spray

Question 12

What is the first step in administering a prescribed aerosol medication?
Determine that the dose is correct.
Determine that the inhaler actually belongs to the patient.
Make sure the patient is suffering from asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis.
Check to make sure the medication is correct.

Answer 12

Determine that the inhaler actually belongs to the patient.

CORRECT. The first step in any situation involving the administration of prescription medication is determining if the medication is prescribed to the patient being treated (right patient).

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the five rights?
Right patient, right medication, right time, right dose, right route
In date, right medication, right order, right dose, right time
Right patient, right medication, in date, right dose, right route
Right decision, right medication, right order, right dose, right place

Answer 13

Right patient, right medication, right time, right dose, right route

Question 14

Nitroglycerin is given via the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ route.
  enteral 
  parenteral 
  oral 
  sublingual

Answer 14

Sublingual

Question 15

Your patient is a 59-year-old woman with a history of emphysema. Per protocol, you have assisted the patient in using her medication inhaler. Which of the following must be documented?
  Patient's response to the medication
  Chemical name of the medication 
  Expiration date of the medication 
  All of the above

Answer 15

Patient’s response to the medication

CORRECT. An important point to document with regard to medication administration is how the patient reacted to the drug.

Question 16

Choose the correct completion to this statement regarding intravenous (IV) administration: This route is used to administer medication into the body directly or through the bloodstream and is:
given in the field only with respect to blood transfusions.
used in advanced life support only when the patient is intubated.
typically only performed in the prehospital environment.
beyond the scope of the EMT level.

Answer 16

beyond the scope of the EMT level.

Question 17

What medication is given when a patient suffers from a medical or traumatic condition called hypoxia?
  Aspirin 
  Oral glucose 
  Oxygen 
  Epinephrine

Answer 17

Oxygen

Question 18

Which of the following is the commonly accepted list of medications an EMT can assist the patient in taking or administer under the direction of the Medical Director?

a) Any over-the-counter medication, oral glucose, and oxygen
b) Prescribed bronchodilator inhalers, prescribed nitroglycerin, and prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors
c) Aspirin, acetaminophen, oral glucose, insulin, prescribed bronchodilator inhalers, nitroglycerin, and epinephrine auto-injectors
d) Aspirin, oral glucose, oxygen, prescribed bronchodilator inhalers, nitroglycerin, epinephrine auto-injectors, and naloxone

Answer 18

D

Question 19

Which of the following statements concerning oxygen is true?

a) Only withhold oxygen from anyone who is allergic to it.
b) Never withhold oxygen from any patient who needs it.
c) Always document the need for oxygen by pulse oximetry before giving it to the patient.
d) Never give oxygen to a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Answer 19

Never withhold oxygen from any patient who needs it.

Question 20

What is the most important medication that should be administered to a patient experiencing chest pain with difficulty breathing?
  Albuterol 
  Oxygen 
  Nitroglycerin
  Aspirin

Answer 20

Aspirin