EMT Drugs Flashcards
Medication Names Prescribed Inhaler
- Generic: albuterol, isoetharine, metaproterenol
2. Trade: Proventil, Ventolin, Bronkosol, Bronkometer, Alupent, Metaprel
Indications Prescribed Inhaler
Meets all the following criteria:
- Patient exhibits signs and symptoms of respiratory emergency.
- Patient has physician-prescribed hand held inhaler.
- Medical direction gives specific authorization to use.
Contrandications Prescribed Inhaler
- Patient is unable to use the device(e.g.,notalert).
- Inhaler is not prescribed for the patient.
- No permission has been given by medical direction.
- The patient has already taken the maximum prescribed dose prior to the EMT’s arrival.
Medication Form Prescribed Inhaler
Handheld metered-dose inhaler
Dosage Prescribed Inhaler
Number of inhalations based on medical direction’s order or physician’s order.
Administration Prescribed Inhaler
- Obtain an order from medical direction, either on-line or off-line.
- Ensure the right patient, nighttime, right medication, right dose, right route, and patient is alert enough to use the inhaler.
- Check the expiration date of the inhaler.
- Check if the patient has already taken any doses.
- Ensure the inhaler is at room temperature or warmer.
- Shake the inhaler vigorously several times.
- Have the patient exhale deeply.
- Have the patient put her lips around the opening of the inhaler.
- Have the patient depress the hand held inhaler as she begins to inhale deeply.
- Instruct the patient to hold her breath for as long as she comfortably can so the medication can be absorbed.
- Put the oxygen back on the patient.
- Allow the patient to breathe a few times and repeat the second dose if so ordered by medical direction.
- If the patient has a spacer device for use with her inhaler (device for attachment between inhaler and patient to allow for more effective use of medication), it should be used.
Actions Prescribed Inhaler
Beta-agonist bronchodilator dilates bronchioles, reducing airway resistance.
Side Effects Prescribed Inhaler
- Increased pulse rate
- Tremors
- Nervousness
Reassessment Strategies Prescribed Inhaler
- Gather vital signs.
- Perform a focused reassessment of the chest and respiratory function.
- Observe for deterioration of the patient; if breathing becomes inadequate, provide artificial respirations.
Medication Names: Nitroglycerin
- Generic: nitroglycerin
2. Trade: NitrostatTM, Nitrolingual®
Indications Nitroglycerin
All the following conditions must be met:
- Patient complains of chest pain.
- Patient has a history of cardiac problems.
- Patient’s physician has prescribed nitroglycerin (NTG).
- Systolic blood pressure is greater than 90 to 100 systolic.
- Medical direction authorizes administration of the medication.
Contraindications Nitroglycerin
- Patient has hypotension, or a systolic blood pressure below 90 to 100
- Patient has a head injury
- Patient is and infant or child
- Patient has already taken the maximum prescribed dose.
- Patient has recently taken Viagra, Cialis, Levitra or another erectile dysfunction drug.
Medication Form Nitroglycerin
Tablet, sublingual (under the tongue) spray
Medication Dosage
One dose. Repeat in 5 minutes, if less than complete relief, if systolic blood pressure remains above 90 to 100, and if authorized by medical direction, up to a maximum of three doses. One dose .4 mg
Administration Nitroglycerin
- Perform a focused assessment for the cardiac patient.
- Take the patients blood pressure. (Systolic pressure must be above 90 to 100.)
- Contact medical direction, if no standing orders.
- Ensure the right patient, right time, right medication, right dose, and right route. Check the expiration date.
- Ensure the patient is alert.
- Question the patient on the last dose taken and effects. Ensure understanding of the route of administration.
- Ask the patient to lift his tongue, and place the tablet or spray dose under the tongue (while wearing gloves) or have the patient place the tablet or spray under the tongue.
- Have the patient keep his mouth closed with the tablet under the tongue (without swallowing) until dissolved and absorbed.
- Recheck the patient’s blood pressure within 2 minutes.
- Record the administration, route, and time.
- Reassess the patient.
Actions Nitroglycerin
- Relaxes blood vessels
2. Decreases the work of the heart
Side Effects Nitroglycerin
- Hypotension (lowers blood pressure)
- Headache
- Pulse Rate changes
Reassessment Strategies Nitroglycerin
- Monitor Blood Pressure
- Ask patient about effect on pain relief
- Seek medical direction before read ministering
- Record assessments.
Medication Name: Aspirin
- Generic: aspirin
2. Trade: many available
Indications: Aspirin
All of the following conditions must be met:
1. Patient complains of chest pain.
2. Patient is not allergic to aspirin.
3. Patient has no history of asthma.
4. Patient is not already taking any medications to
prevent clotting.
5. Patient has no other contraindications to aspirin.
6. Patient is able to swallow without endangering the
airway.
7. Medical direction authorizes administration of the
medication.
Contraindications: Aspirin
- Patient is unable to swallow without endangering the airway.
- Patient is allergic or sensitive to aspirin.
- Patient has a history of asthma (many people with asthma are allergic to aspirin).
- Patient has gastrointestinal ulcer or recent bleeding.
- Patient has a known bleeding disorder.
- Medical direction may decide if the benefit of giving aspirin to a patient who has one of the following conditions outweighs the risk:
a. Is already taking medication to prevent clotting
(including aspirin)
b. Pregnancy
c. Recent surgery
Medication Form: Aspirin
Tablet; many EMS systems use baby aspirin, usually supplied as 81 mg chewable tablets.
Administration: Aspirin
- Gather a history and perform a physical exam
appropriate for a cardiac patient. - Contact medical direction, if no standing orders.
- Ensure the right medication, right patient, right time, right dose, and right route. Check the expiration date.
- Ensure the patient is alert.
- Ask the patient to chew (if directed by protocol) and swallow tablets.
- Record the administration, route, and time.
- Perform reassessment.
Actions: Aspirin
- Prevents blood from clotting as quickly, leading to increased survival after myocardial infarction.
- When administered to cardiac patients, aspirin is not being used to relieve pain.
Side Effects: Aspirin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- If patient is allergic, bronchospasm and wheezing
- Bleeding
