Medications Flashcards
Acetaminophen - Indications (2)
Patients 3 months and above with:
(1) Mild to moderate discomfort
(2) Fever (Greater than 100.4F)
Acetaminophen - Contraindications (9)
(1) Head Injury
(2) Hypotension
(3) Administration of Acetaminophen within previous 4 hours
(4) Inability to swallow
(5) Respiratory Distress
(6) Persistent vomiting
(7) Known or suspected liver disease
(8) Allergy
(9) Patients <3 mos
Acetaminophen - Dosage
(1) < 3 mos: Not indicated
(2) 3mos to 2 years: (See Chart in protocols)
(3) 2-4 years: 160mg/5ml
(4) 5-12years: 320mg/10ml
(5) 13 years+ 640mg/20ml OR (x2) 325mg pill
Activated Charcoal - Pharmocokinetics
Absorbs poison and prevents toxins from entering body systems
Activated Charcoal - Indications
Poisoning by mouth
Activated Charcoal - Contraindications (2)
(1) Altered Mental Status
(2) Patients who have received an emetic
Activated Charcoal - Dosage
CONSULT
Adult: 1gm/kg PO
Pediatric: 1gm/kg PO
Adenosine - Pharmacology (5)
(1) Naturally occurring purine nucleoside
(2) Used to treat narrow complex tachycardia (SVT, PSVT)
(3) Slows conduction through the AV node
(4) No effect on ventricular contractility
(5) Causes peripheral vasodilation
Adenosine - Pharmokinetics
Onset of action is 5-20 seconds
Half life is 10 seconds
Adenosine - Indications (4)
(1) Slows the rate of arrow complex tachycardia
(2) Is only effective on SVT/PSVT
(3) No affect on VT. A-FIB. A-Flutter
(4) Stable wide complex tachycardia in pediatrics with caution
Adenosine - Contraindications (3)
(1) Hypersensitivity
(2) Hx of moderate to severe asthma or active bronchospasms
(3) Polymorphic or irregular wide complex tachycardia
Adenosine - Precautions ( 3)
(1) Effects antagonized by theophylline (Treats asthma and broncospasms)
(2) Effects enhanced by dipyridamole, digitalis, carbamazepine, calcium channel blockers and benzodiazepines
(3) Be prepared for up to 40 seconds of asystole
Adenosine - Dosage
ADULT:
(1) 6mg rapid IVP followed by a flush
(2) 12mg rapid IVP if no response within 2 minutes
(3) 12 mg rapid IVP if no response within 2 minutes
PEDIATRIC:
(1) 0.1mg/kg max 6mg rapid IVP followed by a flush
(2) 0.2 mg/kg max 12mg rapid IVP if no response within 2 minutes
(3) 0.2mg/kg max 12mg rapid IVP if no response within 2 mintues
Albuterol - Pharmacology
Stimulates Beta 2 adrenergic receptors of the bronchioles; bronchodilator
Albuterol - Pharmacokinetics (3)
(1) Bronchodilation begins within 5-15 minutes after inhalation
(2) Peak effect occurs 30-120 minutes
(3) Duration of action 3-4 hours
Albuterol - Indications (3)
(1) Signs and symptoms of respiratory distress
(2) Bronchospasms/wheezing associated with:
(A) Asthma
(B) COPD/emphysema
(C) Allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis)
(3) Hyperkalemia
Albuterol - Dosage
(1) Bronchospasms
(A) < 2yo 1.25mg nebulized
(B) 2yo+ 2.5mg nebulized
(2) Hyperkalemia CONSULT
Adult: 20mg nebulized
Pediatric: See dosing above
Amiodarone - Pharmacology
Slows duration and refractory period of action potential
Slows electrical conduction and impulse potential through the SA node and accessory pathways
Dilates blood vessels
Amiodarone - Pharmacokinetics
Primarily alters/blocks sodium and potassium ion permeability across the myocardial membrane, which stabilizes the ion channels and changes impulse conduction through the myocardium. Amiodarone also has some effects on beta receptors and calcium channels.
Amiodarone - Indications (4)
(1) Prevent recurrence of VF/VT after defibrillation and conversion
(2) Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
(3) Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)
(4) Atrial Fib/Atrial Flutter with aberrancy (wide QRS) for HR> 130 and SBP >100
Amiodarone - Contraindications (9)
(1) 2nd degree or 3rd degree AV blocks
(2) Sensitivity
(3) Idioventricular escape
(4) Accelerated idioventricular
(5) Sinus bradycardia/arrest/block
(6) Hypotension
(7) Cardiogenic Shock
(8) Ventricular conduction defects
(9) Iodine hypersensitivity
Amiodarone - Adverse effects (3)
(1) Bradycardia
(2) Hypotension
(3) Prolonged QT Interval (increases risk of Torsades and VF)
Amiodarone - Dosing
Adult:
(1) W pulse: 150mg IV/IO (in 50-100ml) over 10 minutes.Repeat x1
(2) W/O pulse(VF/VT/Torsades after Mag): 300mg IV/IO. Repeat x1
Pediatric:
(1) W pulse: 5mg/kg IV/IO (in 50-100ml) over 20 minutes.
(2) W/O pulse: 5mg/kg IV/IO Max 300mg. Repeat (x2) Max total dose 15mg/kg
Aspirin - Pharmacology (2)
(1) Platelet Inhibitor
(2) Anti-inflammatory
Blocks platelet aggregation
Aspirin - Indications (2)
(1) Acute Coronary Syndrome
(2) ST Elevation MI (STEMI)
Aspirin - Contraindications (2)
(1) Hypersensitivity
(2) Patients who have received a full dose prior to EMS arrival
Aspirin - Dosing
ADULT: 324mg chewed
PEDIATRIC: Not Indicated
Atropine - Pharmacology (2)
(1) Parasympatholytic (vagolytic action) (Inhibits action of the vagus nerve)
(2) Anticholenergic ( Accelerates heart rate)
Atropine - Pharmacokinetics (4)
(1) Accelerated heart rate within minutes of IV injection
(2) Peak effect within 15 minutes
(3) Atropine disappears rapidly in the blood
(4) Excreted in the urine within first 12 hours
Atropine - Indications (3)
(1) Symptomatic bradycardia (If pacing unavailable or ineffective)
(2) Organophosphate Poisoning
(3) Nerve Agent Exposure
Atropine - Contraindications (3)
(1) Hypersensitivity
(2) Dysrhytmias in which enhancement of conduction may accelerate the ventricular rate and cause decreased cardiac output (a-fib, a-flutter, PAT with blocks)
(3) Relative contraindications:
(A) 2nd degree Type II or 3rd degree block CONSULT
(B) Acute MI or Ischemia
(C) Glaucoma
Atropine - Dosing
(1) Adult: Bradycardia 0.5-1mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes, Max 0.04mg/kg
(2) Pediatric: Bradycardia 0.02mg/kg IV/IO max single dose 0.5mg. Repeat once
(3) Organophosphate Posioning:
(A) Adult: 2-4mg IVP or IM every 5-10 minutes
(B) Pediatric: 0.02mg/kg IVP/IO/IM every 5-10 minutes
Calcium Chloride - Pharmacology (2)
(1) Increases cardiac contractile state and ventricular automaticity
(2) Is useful in reversing arrhythmias due to hyperkalemia
Calcium Chloride - Pharmokinetics
Rapid onset following IV administration
Calcium Chloride - Indications (5)
(1) Hyperkalemia
(2) Hypocalcemia
(3) Treat adverse effects from calcium channel blocker overdose
(4) Hypotension secondary to diltiazem or verapamil
(5) Respiratory depression, decreased reflexes, flaccid paralysis and apnea following magnesium administration
Calcium Chloride - Contraindications (2)
(1) Not indicated in cardiac arrest except when hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia or calcium toxicity are highly suspected
(2) Patient currently taking Digoxin with suspected calcium channel blocker overdose
Calcium Chloride - Adverse effects (2)
(1) Bradycardia may occur following rapid IV injection
(2) Syncope, cardiac arrest, arrhythmias, bradycardia
Calcium Chloride - Precautions (3)
(1) Use with caution on patients taking digitalis as calcium may increase ventricular irritability and precipitate digitalis toxicity
(2) If given with sodium bicarbonate, calcium will precipitate
(3) Calcium salt may produce coronary and cerebral artery spasms
Calcium Chloride - Dosing
(1) Adult:
(A) Hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, calcium channel blocker OD: 0.5-1gm SLOW IVP/IO over 10 minutes. Max 1 gram
(B) Hypotension following diltiazem/verapamil administration or respiratory depression, decreased reflexes, flaccid paralysis and apnea following magnesium administration: 500mg SLOW IVP/IO
(2) Pediatric: 20mg/kg SLOW IVP/IO (50mg/min) Max 1 gram
Dexamethasone - Indications (3)
(1) Moderate to severe asthma/COPD exacerbation
(2) Croup
(3) Anaphylaxis
Dexamethasone - Adverse effects (10)
(1) Headache
(2) Edema
(3) Vertigo
(4) Fluid retention
(5) Adrenal insufficiency with long term use
(6) HTN
(7) CHF
(8) Nausea and vomiting
(9) Dyspepsia
(10) Anaphylaxis
Dexamethasone - Contraindications (3)
(1) Hypersensitivity
(2) Known systemic fungal infection
(3) Premature infants
Dexamethasone - Dosing
(1) Adult: 10mg IV (preferred) or PO
(2) Pediatric:
(A) Asthma: 0.5mg/kg PO (preferred) or IV. Max 10mg
(B) Croup: 0.5 mg/kg PO/IM/IV Max 10mg
Dextrose - Pharmacology
A water-soluble monosaccharide found in corn syrup and honey
Dextrose - Pharmacokinetics (2)
(1) Restores circulating blood sugar and is rapidly utilized following IV administration
(2) Excess dextrose is rapidly excreted in the urine
Dextrose - Indications (1)
(1) Correction of altered mental status due to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) seizures and cardiac arrest
Dextrose - Contraindications (1)
(1) Known hyperglycemia
Dextrose - Dosing
(1) Adult: Blood glucose < 70mg/DL 25grams in 50 ml or D10 in 50 ml blouses (x5 250mls) until normal mental status or blood glucose in 90mg/DL. Repeat (x1)
(2) <28 days - blood glucose less than 40mg/DL administer 2ml/kg D10W
(3) 28 days - 4 years: blood glucose less than 70mg/DL administer 2-4ml/kg D10W
(4) 5 years - 18 years: blood glucose less than 70 mg/DL administer 2-4ml/kg D10W
Diltiazem - Class/Actions
Class: Calcium channel blocker
Actions:
(1) Inhibits the movement of calcium ions across cardiac muscle cells
(2) Decreases conduction velocity and ventricular rate
Diltiazem - Indications
Symptomatic A-fib and A-flutter
Diltiazem - Contraindications (5)
(1) Hypotension (SBP < 100mmHg)
(2) Heart rate < 130bpm
(3) Second or third degree heart blocks
(4) Hypersensitivity
(5) < 18 yoa
Diltiazem - Dosing
Adult:
(A) 0.25mg/kg max of 20mg SLOW IVP over 2 minutes. Reassess then 0.35mg/kg max 25mg SLOW IVP over 2 minutes.
(B) Over 50 yo, borderline BP (100-120 systolic), renal failure or CHF consider 5-10mg administered over 2 mins.
Pediatric:
Contraindicated in patients under 18yo. Consult if needed.
Dipenhydramine - Pharmacology
Antihistamine
Dipenhydramine - Pharmacokinetics (4)
(1) Effect begins within 15 minutes
(2) Peak effect 1-4 hours
(3) Metabolized by the liver
(4) Half life 2-10 hours
Dipenhydramine - Indications (3)
(1) Allergic reaction
(2) Anaphylaxis
(3) Dystonic reactions
Dipenhydramine - Contraindications
Known allergy to Dipenhydramine
Dipenhydramine - Dosing
Adult: 25-50 mg SLOW IVP or IM
Pediatric: (greater than 6 months) 1 mg/kg SLOW IV or IM
Droperidol - Pharmacology
Antipsychotic
Droperidol - Pharmacokinetics
Onset of action within 10 minutes of IM administration
Droperidol - Indications
Moderate agitation (defined as behavior that puts the patient or clinician at risk of harm) due to suspected psychiatric (schizophrenia) or medical delirium
Droperidol - Contraindications (5)
(1) Children under 15 years of age
(2) Pregnancy
(3) Parkinson’s
(4) CNS depression or acute CNS injury
(5) Severe agitation (administer midazolam of ketamine)