Chapter 7 - Principles of Pharmacology

Question 1

A 74-year-old woman has been experiencing heaviness in her chest, nausea, and sweating that suddenly began about an hour before your arrival. She is conscious and alert, but anxious. Her blood pressure is 144/84 mm Hg and her heart rate is 110 beats/min. She took two of her prescribed nitroglycerin (0.4-mg tablets) before your arrival but still feels heaviness in her chest. You should:
Select one:
A. recall that geriatric patients often have slower absorption and elimination times, which may necessitate modification of the dosing of certain drugs.
B. administer high-flow oxygen, avoid administering additional nitroglycerin because it may cause a drop in her blood pressure, and transport.
C. provide immediate transport and wait at least 20 minutes before you consider assisting her with another dose of her prescribed nitroglycerin.
D. assist her with taking one of her nitroglycerin tablets, reassess her blood pressure, and contact medical control for further instructions.

Answer 1

A. recall that geriatric patients often have slower absorption and elimination times, which may necessitate modification of the dosing of certain drugs.

Question 2

How is nitroglycerin usually administered by an EMT?
Select one:
A. by inhalation
B. orally
C. by injection
D. sublingually

Answer 2

D. sublingually

Question 3

Nitroglycerin, when administered to patients with cardiac-related chest pain:
Select one:
A. increases blood return to the right atrium.
B. relaxes the walls of the coronary arteries.
C. constricts the veins throughout the body.
D. increases myocardial contraction force.

Answer 3

B. relaxes the walls of the coronary arteries.

Question 4

Which of the following statements regarding parenteral medications is correct?
Select one:
A. Parenteral medications are absorbed more quickly than enteral medications.
B. Parenteral medications have fewer side effects when compared with enteral medications.
C. Tylenol is an example of a parenteral medication because it is taken orally.
D. Parenteral medications are absorbed by the body through the digestive system.

Answer 4

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