Principles of Pharacology Flashcards
Medication safety (732-733)
Medication legislation (727-728)
Pure food and drug act in 1906: this act prohibited altering or mislabeling medications.
1909: opium exclusion act.
1914: harrison narcotics act, which restricts the use of various opiates and cocaine.
FDA 1938: given authority to enforce rules requiring that new drugs be safe and pure.
Naming (729-730)
chemical name, generic name and brand name.
Chemical name rarely used in the clinical practice, and may contain specific letters and numbers that indicate the medications chemical composition.
Generic name: manufacturer proposes the generic name, approved by the US adopted names council and the WHO. Regulated internationally to promote consistency and avoid duplication in drug names.
Brand name: chosen by the manufacturer and approved by the FDA. Selected for marketing purposes.
Schedules (732)
Schedule 1: high abuse potential, no recognized medical purpose. (heroin, marijuana, LSD, peyote.
Schedule 2: high abuse potential, legitimate medical purpose. (Opioids: codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine).
(stimulants: amphetamine, cocaine, methylphenidate).
Schedule 3: low potential for abuse than schedule 2 medications (Opioids: acetaminophen with codeine). (noopioids: anabolic steroids, ketamine).
Schedule 4: Lower potential for abuse than schedule 3 drugs.(alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam.
Schedule 5: lower potential for abuse than schedule 4 drugs. (cough medications).
Pharmacokinetics (745-747)
Storage and Security (732-733)
Autonomic pharmacology (761)
Metabolism and excretion (753-755)
Mechanism of action (731)
Phases of medication activity (733-734)
Medication response relationships (741-745)
Routes of administration (747-752)
-Enteral routes:
-oral route.
-sublingual or buccal.
-rectal.
Parenteral routes:
-IV, IM, SQ, IN,
Explain how pharmacology relates to paramedic clinical practice (726)
Pharmacology is the scientific study of how various substances interact with or alter the function of living organisms.
-We use the science of pharmacology when treating patient’s who already receive medication on an intermittent or long term basis.
-We will experience adverse effects of medications taken at home, so it is crucial to obtain a medication history.
-It is also essential to understand it when administering medications to treat patient symptoms during EMS response or while treating a patient who ahs been exposed to a potentially toxic chemical, drug or medication.
Describe the regulatory measures affecting medications administered in the prehospital setting (726-727)
Describe how drugs are classified (727-728)
Outline reliable sources of medication information available to paramedics (728-729)
List the components of a medication profile (731)
Discuss requirements for medication storage, security and accountability (732-733)
Describe the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of medications in general (733-734, 745-747)
Identify situations in which medication effects will be altered by the age, sex, weight, and other characteristics of a particular patient (737-741)
Identify steps to reduce the incidence of medication errors and limit the severity of harmful effects associated with medication administration (755-757)
Discuss the prevention, recognition, and management of adverse medication reactions (742-743)
Select the optimal medication and method of medication administration for patients with a particular clinical condition or situation (747-752)
Identify the various classes of medications that influence the sympathetic nervous system (757-761)
List notable classes of medications that may be taken by patients in the prehospital setting (762-765)
Explain the medications likely to be used by patients with respiratory conditions, including what each medication is used for (767-768)
Recognize the medications commonly prescribed to patients with cardiovascular diseases (768-770)
