pharmacology
the study of the properties and effects of medication
medication
a chemical substance that is used to treat or prevent disease or relieve pain
pharmacodynamics
is the process by which a medication works on the body
agonist
a medication that causes stimulation of receptors
antagonist
medications that bind to a receptor and block other medications
action
the therapeutic effects of a medication on the b ody
intended effect
the effect the medication is expected to have
indications
therapeutic uses of a specific medication
the reasons for which a particular medication is give
contraindications
conditions that make a medication or treatment inappropriate; a condition where medication should not be given because it would harm the patient or have no positive effect on the patients condition
side effects
any actions of a medication other than the desired ones
unintended effects
effects that are undesirable but pose little risk to the patient
untoward effects
effects that can be harmful to a patient
enteral medication
enter the body through the digestive system, a pill or liquid
parenteral medications
enter the body by a route other than the digestive tract, the skin or the mucous membranes. they are often in a liquid form and are generally administered using syringes and needles
absorbed more quickly then enteral
PR
per rectum
rapid
Per os (PO)
orally enter the bloodstream through the digestive track
slow 30-60 minutes
IV
intravenous injections - into the vein
immediate
IM
intramuscular injections - into the muscle
moderate
IO
Intraosseous injection - into the bone - given this way in enters the bloodstream through the bone marrow
immediate
inhalation
inhaled into the lungs
some work in the lungs and some are absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly
usually delivered through a nonrebreather mask or a nasal cannula
rapid
SL
sublingingual - dissolves under the tongue,
advantages - easy to advise patients, quick absorption.
disadvantages - constant evaluation of the airway, possible choking, not for uncooperative or unconscious patients
rapid
transcutaneous (transdermal) medication
means through the skin
example nitroglycerin paste
adhesive patch
IN
intranasal - a delivery route where medication is pushed through a specialized atomize device called a mucosal atomizer device (MAD)
solution
liquid mixture that cannot be separated by filtering, example nitroglycerin spray
suspension
a mixture of ground particles that are distributed evenly throughout a liquid but do not dissolve
will separated if sits,example amoxicilin
MDI
metered-dose inhaler - a miniature spray canister used to direct mist or spray through the mouth and into the lungs. it delivers the same amount of medication every time,
topical medications
lotions, creams and ointments that are applied to the surface of the skin and affect only that area
gel
semiliquid substance administered orally in capsule form or through plastic tubs
example oral glucose
what are the six rights of medication
right patient
right medication
right dose
right route
right time (check the expiration date and condition of meds)
right documentation
peer-assisted medication
when and EMT administers drugs to himself or partner
patient-assisted medication
when an EMT assist a patient in administering his on medication
EMT-administered medication
the EMT is directly administering medication to the patient
medications EMTs are allowed to administer
oxygen
activated charcoal
oral glucose
aspirin
epinephrine
albuterol
nitrogycerin
adsorption
the process of binding or sticking to a surface,
absorption
theyprocess by which medications travel through body tissues until they reach the bloodstream
activated charcoal
binds and adsorbs ingested toxins in the gastrointestinal tract for treatment of posioning or medication overdose
ground into a very fine powder to provide the greatest possible surface area for binding
hypoglocemia
extremely low BGL
acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
aspirin - an antipyretic (reduces fever), analgesic (reduces pain), and anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation) and antiaggregit (inhibits platelet aggregation)
nitroglycerin
given for chest pain angina
relieves pain, increases blood flow, relaxes veins
increases cardiac perfusion by causing arteries to dilate
do NOT give to patients that have taken ED drugs such as viagra (sildenafil), cialis (tadalafil), levitra (vardenafil)
mycardial infarction (MI)
heart attack - a blood clot forms in a narrowed coronary artery which blocks the blood flow to a section of the heart
nitroglycerin effects
relaxes the muscular walls of coronary arteries and veins
results in less blood returning to the heart
decreases blood pressure
relaxes arteries throughout the body
often causes a mild headache after administration
ways to give nitroglycerin
sublingual
metered-dosed spray
IV
epinephrine
a substance produced by the body (adrenaline)the main hormone that controls the body's fight or flight response
and a drug that increases pulse rate and blood pressure; it is the drug of choice for anaphylactic
primarily given IM
trade name
the brand name a manufacturer gives a medication; it is capitalized
oral glucose
a simply sugar that is readily absorbed in the blood stream
mucosal atomizer device (MAD)
a device that is used to change liquid medication into a spray and push it into the nostril
oxygen
a gas that all cells need for metabolism; the heart and brain especially cannot function without it
medication
a chemical substance used to treat or prevent diseases, pain
generic name
the original chemical name of a medication (in contrast with one of its "trade names"); the name is not capitalized
polypharmacy
simultaneous use of multiply medications as typically seen in elderly patients
sorbitol
a complex sugar
activated charcoal is frequently suspended in sorbitol
when suspended in activated charcoal it has a laxative effect / facilitates movement through the digestive system
may sweeten the flavor of activated charcoal
A 37-year-old male is found unconscious in his car. His airway is patent and his respirations are rapid and labored. As you and your partner are assessing and treating the patient, a police officer hands you a medication named Alupent, which he found in t
asthma
A 31-year-old female is experiencing an acute asthma attack. She is conscious and alert, but in obvious respiratory distress. After assisting her with her prescribed MDI, you should:
reassess the patient and document her response to the medication
After taking diphendydramine (Benadryl) for an allergic reaction, a person begins experiencing drowsiness and a dry mouth. These findings are an example of a
side effect
Which of the following is an example of a brand (trade) name of a drug?
A. Tylenol
B. nitroglycerin
C. furosemide
D. ibuprofen
A. Tylenol
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of epinephrine?
A. decreases heart rate and blood pressure
B. secreted naturally by the adrenal glands
C. dilates passages in the lungs
D. constricts blood vessels
A. decreases heart rate and blood pressure
Which of the following is the MOST rapidly acting medication administration route?
A. intravenous (IV)
B. subcutaneous (SC)
C. intramuscular (IM)
D. sublingual (SL)
A. intravenous (IV)
How is nitroglycerin usually given by the EMT?
SL
Advil, Nuprin, and Motrin are brand (trade) names for the generic medication
ibuprofen
You are treating a 45-year-old woman who was stung by a hornet and has a rash. She tells you that she is allergic to hornets and has her own epinephrine auto-injector. She also tells you that she takes medication for hypertension. Her breath sounds do not
Give her oxygen, transport her to the hospital, and monitor her condition en route
What would be of the MOST appropriate route to use in an unconscious patient when intravenous access cannot be obtained
IO
What medication form does oral glucose come in?
gel
You are dispatched to a state park for a young female experiencing an allergic reaction. Your assessment reveals that her breathing is severely labored and her blood pressure is very low. You carry epinephrine auto-injectors on your ambulance and have bee
administer epinephrine to the patient, begin immediate transport, and attempt to contact medical control en route to the hospital
When assessing an elderly male who complains of nausea and generalized weakness, you find that he takes simvastatin (Vytorin) and clopidogrel (Plavix). This medication regimen suggests a history of
cardiovascular disease
You arrive at a residence approximately 20 minutes after a 7-year-old boy, who weighs 22 kg, ingested a bottle of Advil. He is conscious and alert and has stable vital signs. Medical control orders you to administer activated charcoal and oxygen and then
44g
Activated charcoal is an example of a
suspension
With the flowmeter set at 6 L/min, the nasal cannula will deliver up to _______ oxygen.
44%
Medications encased in a gelatin shell taken by mouth are called
capsule
You are treating a middle-aged man with chest discomfort. He has a history of three previous heart attacks and takes nitroglycerin as needed for chest pain. You have standing orders to administer aspirin to patients with suspected cardiac-related chest pa
confirm that the patient is not allergic to aspirin, give him the appropriate dose of aspirin, and document the time and dose given
An EMT may administer aspirin to a patient if
authorization from medical control has been obtained.
The __________ of a medication usually dictates the route by which it will be administered.
form
When given to patients with cardiac-related chest pain, nitroglycerin:
relaxes the walls of the coronary arteries
Activated charcoal is frequently suspended in sorbitol, a complex sugar that:
A. significantly slows the process of digestion.
B. binds to any chemicals that are in the stomach.
C. facilitates movement through the digestive system.
D. disguises the unplea
C. facilitates movement through the digestive system.
While assisting a paramedic in the attempted resuscitation of a 55-year-old male in cardiac arrest, you should expect the paramedic to:
A. administer drugs via the IV route to achieve the fastest effect.
B. give the patient nitroglycerin to increase his b
A. administer drugs via the IV route to achieve the fastest effect.
Which medication route delivers a drug through the skin over an extended period of time, such as a nitroglycerin or nicotine patch
transcutaneous
A 62-year-old male presents with crushing chest pain, which he describes as being the same kind of pain that he had with a previous heart attack. He has prescribed nitroglycerin but states that he has not taken any. After administering 100% oxygen and con
assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic blood pressure is less than 100 mm Hg