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Paramedic Drugs > Paramedic Drugs > Flashcards

Paramedic Drugs Flashcards

Learn contra indications and actions.

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1
Q

Adrenaline ADX/ADM

A

ACTIONS:
Symapthomimetic.
Stimulate alpha and beta adrenergic receptors.
Enhance myocardial and cerebral blood flow during CPR.
Increase perfusion pressures during CPR by increasing peripheral resistance.
Reverse acute anaphylaxis.
Relieve bronchospasm.

SIDE EFFECTS:
None.

Contra-indications:
Do not give repeated doses of adrenaline in hypothermic patients.

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2
Q

Amiodarone AMO

A

ACTIONS:
Blocks sodium and potassium channels in cardiac muscle.
Lengthens cardiac action potential and refractory period.
Prolongs QT interval.
Stabilises and reduces electrical irritability of cardiac muscle.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Bradycardia
Vasodilation causing hypotension
Bronchospasm
Arrhythmia - Torsades de Pointes

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
No contra-indications in cardiac arrest.

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3
Q

Aspirin ASP

A

ACTIONS:
Anti-platelet action which reduces clot formation.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Gastric bleeding
Wheezing in some asthmatics

CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Known aspirin allergy or sensitivity.
Children under 16 years.
Active gastrointestinal bleeding.
Haemophilia.
Severe hepatic disease.
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4
Q

Atropine ATR

A

ACTIONS:
Enhances AV conductivity.
May reverse effects of vagal overdrive.
May increase heart rate by blocking vagal activity in sinus bradycardia, second or third degree heart block.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Dry mouth
Visual blurring
Pupil dilation
Confusion/hallucinations
Tachycardia
Urine retention in older patients
Paradoxical bradycardia when used in small doses less than 100mcg

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Should not be given to treat bradycardia in hypothermic patients.

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5
Q

Benzylpenicillin BPN

A

ACTIONS:
Broad spectrum antibiotic.

SIDE EFFECTS:
None

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Known severe penicillin allergy more than simple rash.

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6
Q

Chlorphenamine CPH

A

ACTIONS:
Anti-histamine. Blocks effect of histamine.
Anticholinergic properties.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Sedation
Dry mouth
Headache
Blurred vision
Psychomotor impairment
Gastrointestinal disturbance
Transient hypotension
Convulsions
Older people more likely to suffer side effects
Warn against driving etc due to sedative/psychomotor effects

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Known hypersensitivity.
Children under one.

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7
Q

Clopidogrel CLO

A

ACTIONS:
Inhibits platelet aggregation.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Dyspepsia
Abdo pain
Bleeding (gastro and intracranial).
Diarrhoea

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Known allergy or hypersensitivity to clopidogrel.
Severe liver impairment.
Active pathological bleeding.

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8
Q

Dexamethasone DEX

A

ACTIONS:
Corticosteroid. Reduces subglottic inflammation.

SIDE EFFECTS:
None

Contra-indications:
Diagnosed HTN
Systemic infection/sepsis.

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9
Q

Diazepam DZP

A

ACTIONS:
CNS depressant, anti-convulsant, sedative.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Respiratory depression, especially with alcohol.
Hypotension
Light headedness
Unsteadiness
Drowsiness
Confusion
Amnesia

CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Known hypersensitivity.

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10
Q

Morphine Sulphate EOLC

A

ACTIONS:
Opioid analgesic, useful for soft tissue and musculoskeletal pain.
CNS depressant, sedative.
Stimulates histamine release.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Respiratory depression
Cardiovascular depression
Nausea and vomiting
Drowsiness
Pupillary constriction

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Known hypersensitivity.

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11
Q

Entonox NOO

A

ACTIONS:
Inhaled analgesic.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Minimal side effects

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Severe head injury with impaired consciousness.
Decompression sickness.
Violently disturbed psychiatric patients.
Intraocular injection of gas with the last four weeks.
Abdo pain with suspected bowel obstruction.

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12
Q

Furosemide FRM

A

ACTIONS:
Diuretic with rapid onset (30 mins) and short duration.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Hypotension
Gastrointestinal disturbance

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Reduced GCS with liver cirrhosis.
Cardiogenic shock.
Severe renal failure with anuria.
Children under 18 years.
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13
Q

Glucagon GLU

A

ACTIONS:
Hormone that induces conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Nausea and vomiting
Abdo Pain
Hypokalaemia
Diarrhoea in children
Hypotension in adults
Acute hypersensitive reaction (rare).

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Pheochromocytoma
Not given by IV route.

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14
Q

Glucose GLX

A

ACTIONS:
Reverse hypoglycaemia by direct delivery of glucose to systemic circulation.

SIDE EFFECTS:
None

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
IM or subcut injection.

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15
Q

Glucose Oral Gel GLG

A

ACTIONS:
Rapid increase in blood glucose via buccal absorption.

SIDE EFFECTS:
None

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
None.

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16
Q

Glyceryl Trinitrate GTN

A 
ACTIONS:
Vasodilator
Dilation of coronary arteries/relief of coronary spasm.
Dilation of systemic veins.
Reduced BP.
Reduced pre-load.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Headache
Dizziness
Hypotension

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Hypotension (below 90sys in MI or below 110sys in acute heart failure).
Hypovolaemia
Head trauma
Cerebral haemorrhage
Sildenafil or other related drugs within last 24hrs
Unconscious patients

17
Q

Heparin HEP

A

ACTIONS:
Anticoagulant

SIDE EFFECTS:
Major or minor haemorrhage.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Haemophilia/other haemorrhagic disorders.
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).
Recent cerebral haemorrhage.
Severe hypertension.
Severe liver disease.
Oesophagal varices.
Peptic ulcer.
Major trauma.
Recent surgery to eye or nervous system.
Acute bacterial endocarditis.
Spinal or epidural anaesthasia.
18
Q

Hydrocortisone HYC

A

ACTIONS:
Glucocorticoid that restores blood pressure, blood sugar, cardiac syncronicity and volume. High levels are important to survive shock.
Suppression of inflammation and immune response.

SIDE EFFECTS:
May cause stinging or burning sensations due to phosphates

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Known allergy.
Where a patient has adrenal crisis, it is preferable to give whatever preparation is available.

19
Q

Ibuprofen IBP

A

ACTIONS:
Analgesic.
Antipyretic.
Anti-inflammatory.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Nausea
Vomiting
Tinnitus

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Dehydration.
Hypovolaemia.
Renal insufficiency.
Active upper gastrointestinal disturbance.
Pregnancy.
NSAIDS within last 4 hrs or maximum cumulative daily dose reached.

20
Q

Ipratropium Bromide IPR

A

ACTIONS:
Antimuscarinic bronchodilator.
Greater benefit in children with acute asthma and in COPD.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Nausea
Dry mouth
Tachycardia/arrhythmia
Paroxysmal chest tightness
Allergic reaction

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
None in emergency situation.

21
Q

Metaclopramide MTC

A

ACTIONS:
Anti -emetic.
Acts centrally as well as on gastrointestinal tract.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Drowsiness and restlessness
Cardiac conduction disturbance following IV administration
Diarrhoea
Rash

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Under 20 yrs.
Renal failure.
Phaechromocytoma (tumor of adrenal gland).
Gastrointestinal obstruction.
Perforation/haemorrhage 3/4 days after GI surgery.
Drug overdose.

22
Q

Midazolam MDZ

A

ACTIONS:
Benzodiazepine derivative.
Onset within 2 mins, peak effect 5-10 mins.
Short acting: sedative effect decreases from 15 mins onwards.
Variable effect according to patient.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Respiratory depression
Hypotension
Reduced GCS
Confusion
Amnesia

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
None.

23
Q

Pt Own Buccal Midazolam

A

ACTIONS:
Sedative, short acting. 5-10 mins. Convulsions stopped after 10 mins in 80% of cases.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Respiratory depression
Hypotension
Drowsiness
Muscle weakness
Slurred speech
Occasional agitation, restlessness, disorientation.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
None

24
Q

Misoprostol MIS

A

ACTIONS:
Stimulates contractions of uterus.
Onset of action 7-10 mins.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Abdo pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Pyrexia
Shivering

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Known hypersensitivity.
Active labour.
Possible multiple pregnancy/known or suspected foetus in utero.

25
Q

Morphine Sulphate MOR

A

ACTIONS:
Opiod analgesic.
Useful for musculo-skeletal and soft tissue pain.
Produces sedation, euphoria, hypotension and respiratory depression.
Histamine released following morphine administration

SIDE EFFECTS:
Respiratory depression
Cardiovascular depression
Nausea and vomiting
Drowsiness
Pupillary constriction

CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Children under 1.
Respiratory depression.
Hypotension, systolic BP below 90 in adults, below 80 in school children, below 70 in pre-school children.
Head injury with impaired consciousness below P or below GCS 9.
Known hypersensitivity.
Severe headache.

26
Q

Naloxone Hydrochloride NLX

A

ACTIONS:
Antagonism of repiratory depression effects of opioid drugs.
Aim to restore adequate respirations but not necessarily full consciousness.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Withdrawal symptoms including arrhythmias.
Vomiting.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Neonates born to opioid addicted mothers.

27
Q

Ondansetron ODT

A

ACTIONS:
Anti-emetic that blocks 5HT receptors centrally and in the GI tract.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Hiccups.
Constipation
Flushing
Hypotension
Chest Pain
Arrhythmias
Bradycardia
Headache
Seizures
Movement Disorders
Injection site reactions

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Known sensitivity to Ondansetron.
Infants less than one month.

28
Q

Oxygen OXG

A

ACTIONS:
Essential for cell metabolism
Assists in reversing hypoxia by raising concentration of inspired oxygen

SIDE EFFECTS:
Drying and irritating to mucous membranes.
Cause respiratory depression and CO2 retention in some COPD patients.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Explosive environments.

29
Q

Paracetamol PAR

A

ACTIONS:
Analgesic and antipyretic.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Rare. Occasionally IV infusion causes hypotension if administered too rapidly.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Known Paracetamol allergy.
PAR within last four hours.
Maximum cumulative dose reached.

30
Q

Salbutamol SLB

A

ACTIONS:
Selective beta2 adrenoreceptor stimulant
Relaxes smooth muscle in medium and smaller airways.

SIDE EFFECTS
Tremor
Tachycardia
Palpitations
Headache
Feeling of tension
Peripheral vasodilation
Muscle cramps
Rash

CONTRA-INDICATIONS
None in emergency situation.

31
Q

Sodium Chloride 0.9% SCP

A

ACTIONS:
Increases vascular fluid volume
Raises cardiac output
Improves perfusion

SIDE EFFECTS:
Over-infusion may precipitate pulmonary oedema and cause breathlessness.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
None

32
Q

Sodium Lactate SLC

A

ACTIONS:
Increases vascular fluid volume
Raises cardiac output
Improves perfusion

SIDE EFFECTS:
Over infusion may precipitate heart failure

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Diabetic hyperglycaemic ketoacidotic coma and precoma
Neonates

33
Q

Syntometrine SYN

A

ACTIONS:
Stimulates contractions of uterus
Onset of action 7-10 minutes

SIDE EFFECTS:
Nausea and vomiting
Abdo pain
Headache
Hypertension and bradycardia
Chest pain
Anaphylactic reactions
CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Known hypersensitivity
Active labour
Severe cardiac, liver or kidney disease.
Hypertension and severe pre-eclampsia
Possibly multiple pregnancy
Known or suspected foetus in utero
34
Q

Tenecteplase TNK

A

ACTIONS:
Activates the fibrinolytic system inducing the breaking up of intravascular thrombi and emboli.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Bleeding
Arrhythmias - usually benign and transient
Anaphylaxis
Hypotension
35
Q

Tranexamic Acid TXA

A

ACTIONS:
Anti-fibrynolitic which reduces the breakdown of blood clots.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Rapid injection may on rare ocasions induce hypotension

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Isolated head injury
Critical interventions required
Bleeding now stopped

36
Q

Activated Charcoal

A

ACTIONS:

SIDE EFFECTS:
Black stools
Intestinal obstruction
Bezoar formation

CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Under 1
More than 1 hour since ingestion
Not advised following consult with toxbase
Vomiting
Reduced gastro-intestinal motility i.e patients taking opioid medications.
Recent abdo surgery
Poisoning known to be due to :Cyanide; petroleum distillates; metal salts including lithium and iron; ethanol, methanol, ethylene,sodium chloride, lead boric acid, other mineral acid; malathion;corrosive substances

Paramedic Drugs (1 decks)

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