* Medication / Pharmacological Descriptions

Question 1

Oral Glucose

Answer 1

Indication - hypoglycemia
Contraindication - unconscious, unable to swallow, hyperglycemic, vomiting
Action - rapid increase in blood glucose level
Route - oral/swallowed
Dose - ½–1 tube
Side Effect - none

Question 2

Nitroglycerin

Answer 2

Indication - chest pain (of a cardiac nature)
Contraindication - hypotension, unconscious, erectile dysfunction medications
Action - vasodilation, decrease in preload and afterload
Route - sublingual
Dose - sublingual tablets - 0.3–0.4mg, up to 3 tablets
Side Effect - headache, dizziness, nausea, flushed skin, hypotension

Question 3

Aspirin

Answer 3

Indication - chest pain (of a cardiac nature)
Contraindication - allergy, bleeding, liver disease
Action - decreases clotting, anti-inflammatory
Route - Oral
Dose - 1 tablet, 81mg up to 4 times in one day for a total of 324mg a day
Side Effect - nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, bleeding

Question 4

Metered Dose Inhaler (Albuterol)

Answer 4

Indication: Asthma, bronchospasm, COPD
Contraindication: hypersensitivity, tachycardia, chest pain (cardiac)
Action: Bronchodilator (relaxed bronchial smooth muscles which improves air flow)
Route: inhalation (with MDI/SVN)
Dose: 2.5mg via nebulizer or 1-2 puffs of inhaler every 5 min as needed
Side Effects: hypertension, tachycardia, palpitations, anxiety, tremors, headache, dizziness, nausea

Question 5

Naloxone (NARCAN)

Answer 5

Indication - Reversal of opioid overdose
Contraindication - known hypersensitivity to drug
Action - opioid antagonist, bonds to opioid receptors
Route - intranasal
Dose - 2 mg per dose, given every 2-3 minutes as necessary
Side Effect - nausea, vomiting, sweating, tachycardia, increased BP, tremors

Question 6

Epinephrine

Answer 6

Indication - Anaphylactic Reaction
Contraindication - Chest pain, Hypertension, Hypothermia
Action - Stimulates nervous system, causing broncodilation
Route - IM (Intramuscular)
Dose - 0.3 mg for adults; 0.15 mg for children
Side Effect - Hypertension, anxiety, restlessness

Question 7

Activated Charcoal

Answer 7

Indication - Poisoning (within 1-2 hours of ingestion)

Contraindication - Decrease level of consciousness, inability to swallow
Ingested: cyanide, ethanol, lithium

Action - Binds to specific toxins

Route - Oral

Dose - 1 gm per 1 kg of weight

Side Effect - Vomiting, nausea, constipation, black stool

(833)