Pharmacology (EMT)

Question 1

Pharmacology

Answer 1

The study of the properties and effects of drugs and medications.

Question 2

Dose / Dosage

Answer 2

A quantity of a medicine or drug taken or recommended to be taken at a particular time.

Question 3

Action

Answer 3

The therapeutic effect that a medication or drug is expected to have on the body.

What the drug / medication is suppose to do.

Question 4

Indications

Answer 4

The therapeutic uses for a given drug or medication.

Why is it given.

Question 5

Contraindications

Answer 5

A situation in which giving a medication would be harmful to the patient, or would have no positive effect on the patient’s condition or outcome.

Question 6

Side Effect(s)

Answer 6

Any action of a medication or drug other than the desired one(s).

What it does that it is not suppose to do.

Question 7

Trade Name

(Medications)

Answer 7

A brand name that a manufacturer gives to a medication or drug (Capitalized).

Question 8

Generic Name

(Medications)

Answer 8

Usually the original chemical name /nomenclature for a drug or medication (not capitalized).

Question 9

Antagonism

Answer 9

An interaction between two or more drugs that have opposite effects on the body.

Drug antagonism may block or reduce the effectiveness of one or more of the drugs.

Blocks or shunts receptors.

Question 10

Bolus

Answer 10

A single dose of a drug or other substance given over a short period of time.

It is usually given by infusion or injection into a blood vessel.

Question 11

Cumulative Action

Answer 11

A condition in which repeated administration of a drug produces a more pronounced effect than that which was produced on the initial dose.

Question 12

Depressant(s)

Answer 12

A drug or medication that reduces functional or nervous activity.

Question 13

Habituation

Answer 13

The process of developing a resistance to a drug or medication through habitual or regular use.

Question 14

Hypersensitivity

Answer 14

An immune-mediated reaction to a drug that might produce an allergic response or other symptoms.

Question 15

Idiosyncrasy

Answer 15

An unexpected and undesired reaction to a drug that occurs in a small percentage of patients and has no obvious relationship to dose or duration of therapy.

Question 16

Potentiation

Answer 16

An interaction between two or more medications that causes an increase in the potency of the treatment and the medications involved.

Question 17

Refractory

Answer 17

A disease or condition that causes a resistance or immunity to treatment or medication.

Question 18

Stimulant(s)

Answer 18

A drug that increases functional or nervous activity.

Question 19

Synergism

Answer 19

The interaction of two or more drugs that have a greater effect when combined than the sum of effects when given individually.

Question 20

Therapeutic Action

Answer 20

The results of medical treatment of any kind, whether for good or ill.

Question 21

Tolerance

Answer 21

A diminished response to treatment or medication built up after frequent exposure.

Question 22

Untoward Effect

Answer 22

A harmful, abnormal, or adverse effect in response to a medications administration.

Question 23

Agonist

Answer 23

A drug or substance that binds to a receptor inside a cell or on its surface, and causes the same action as the substance that normally binds to the receptor.

Drug agonism may support the effectiveness of one or more drugs in use.

Activates receptors.

Question 24

Opioid(s)

Answer 24

A drug or substance that acts on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like effects.

Medical uses include:

— Chronic Pain Relief
— Therapy for Opioid Use Disorder
— Reversing Opioid Overdose
— Suppressing Cough/Diarrhea

Question 25

Cannabinoids

Answer 25

Any drug or substance of a group of closely related compounds which include Cannabinol and the active constituents of cannabis.

Question 26

Empathogen(s)

Answer 26

A substance or class of psychoactive drugs that produce experiences of emotional communion, oneness, relatedness, emotional openness — that is, empathy or sympathy — as particularly observed and reported for experiences with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Also known medically as Entactogen(s).

Question 27

Psychedelic(s)

Answer 27

A substance or any subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary mental states (known as psychedelic experiences or psychedelic "trips") and/or an apparent expansion of consciousness.

Question 28

Dissociative(s)

Answer 28

Colloquially referred to as Dissos, are a drug or subclass of hallucinogen substances which distort perception of sight and sound and produce feelings of detachment — dissociation — from the environment and/or self.

Question 29

Additivity

Answer 29

When the effect of two drugs given in combination equals the mathematical summation of their effects when given alone.

Question 30

Aspirin / ASA (Bayer®)

Answer 30

Drug type: — Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Indications: — Chest pain (cardiac) / Blood clots Contraindications: — Allergies — Severe ulcers Dosage: — 160-325mg PO (2-4 baby ASA) Time for Effect: — 20 mins - 1 hour Administration (Orally PO): — Place chewable ASA in patient’s mouth, and have them chew completely before swallowing Actions: — Inhibits platelet aggregation (lubricates) — Anti-inflammatory Side Effects: — Gastric Irritation

Question 31

Oral Glucose (Insta-Glucose®)

Answer 31

Drug type: — Dextrose Monosaccharide (sugar) Indications: — Patient’s with altered mental status — History of diabetes with medications Contraindications: — Altered LOC — Unconscious / Unresponsive Dosage: — 15g PO (approx. one tube) Time for Effect: — 10-20 mins Administration (Orally PO): — Assure the patient is conscious, can swallow, and can protect their airway — Administer: • between the cheek and gum • place on tongue depressor — Begin suctioning if patient loses consciousness Actions: — Increases blood sugar Side Effects: — None (when administered properly) — May be aspirated by patient without gag reflex

Question 32

Naloxone (Narcan®)

Answer 32

Drug type: — Opioid Antagonist Indications: — Respiratory depression secondary to Opioid overdose Contraindications: — Patients with a known hypersensitivity Dosage: — 2mg IN or 0.4mg IM (may repeat once) Time for Effect: — 2-5 mins (IN / IM) | 1-2 mins (IV) Administration (Intranasal IN): — Assemble pre-load container — Connect Mucosal Atomization Device (MAD) to syringe — Insert MAD into nostril — Forcefully deliver 1/2 of medication into each nostril (1ml per nostril) Administration (Intramuscular IM): — Ensure medication is not discolored — Remove safety cap from auto-injector — Place tip of auto-injector against patient’s outer thigh — Push firmly until auto-injector activates — Hold auto-injector for 10 seconds — Record the time of administration — Dispose of auto-injector in sharps container Actions: — Opioid antagonist — Blocks Opioid receptors Side Effects: — Nausea / Vomiting — May cause Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (Opioid dependent patients)

Question 33

Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat®)

Answer 33

Drug type: — Nitrate Vasodilatador Indications: — Chest pain (cardiac) / Blood clots — Physician prescribed tablets / spray — Authorization from medical control Contraindications: — Blood Pressure below 100 Systolic — Patient has already taken max prescribed dosage prior to arrival — Patient took ED medication in the last 12-24 hours Dosage: — 1 tablet — 0.4mg SL (one spray) • Repeat in 3-5 minutes • Blood Pressure is greater than 100 Systolic • Authorized by medical control for up to 3 doses Time for Effect: — 1-5 mins Administration (SL): — Ask patient to open mouth and place tongue on roof of mouth — Administer tablet or spray dosage under the tongue (sublingual) — Reassess Blood Pressure after 2 minutes Actions: — Relaxes blood vessels (vasodilation) — Decreases workload of the heart Side Effects: — Hypotension (low blood pressure) — Headache (cerebral swelling) — Tachycardia

Question 34

Epinephrine Auto-injector (Epi-Pen® / Adrenaline®)

Answer 34

Drug type: — Beta 1 / Beta 2 Adrenergic Antagonist Dosage: — 0.3mg Auto-injector (adult) — 0.15mg Auto-injector (infant / child) Route: — Intramuscular (IM) Actions: — Vasoconstriction — Bronchodilation Indications: — Allergic Reaction — Anaphylaxis Contraindications: — None (when used for life-threats) Side Effects: — Tachycardia — Chest Pain — Pallor (paling of skin) — Headache — Dizziness Time for Effect: — Immediately (5-10 mins for full effect) Administration (Intramuscular IM): — Ensure medication is not discolored — Remove safety cap from auto-injector — Place tip of auto-injector against patient’s outer thigh — Push firmly until auto-injector activates — Hold auto-injector for 10 seconds — Record the time of administration — Dispose of auto-injector in sharps container

Question 35

Albuterol / Inhalers (Proventil®, Ventolin ®)

Answer 35

Drug type: — Steroidal Bronchodilator Dosage: — 2.5mg / 3mL — Prescribed inhalations Route: — Inhaled (INH) Actions: — Bronchodilation — Beta Antagonist Indications: — Signs / Symptoms of respiratory distress — Physician prescribed handheld inhalers — Authorization from medical control Contraindications: — Patient’s inability to use device — Patient took maximum doses Side Effects: — Tachycardia — Nervousness — Tremors Time for Effect: — 5-10 mins (INH inhalation) — 5 mins (INH nebulizer) Administration (Inhaled INH): — Ensure inhaler is at room temperature — Shake inhaler vigorously several times — Have patient exhale deeply — Have patient purse lips on mouth piece — Have patient depress inhaler and inhale — Direct patient to hold breath as if possible — Direct patient to exhale slowly through — Use mouthpiece spacer if available