Drug Classifications and Routes of Administration

Drug Classifications and Administration Routes

• Aspirin is an example of a generic drug, recognized for its use in treating pain and inflammation.
• Intraosseous access is the most suitable route for medication in unresponsive patients when intravenous access is unachievable.
• Nitroglycerin is typically administered sublingually (under the tongue) for rapid absorption.
• Transcutaneous administration delivers medication through the skin, commonly used for patches, such as nitroglycerin and nicotine.

Devices and Medication Forms

• Mucosal atomizer devices (MAD) are utilized for delivering medications via the intranasal route.
• Oral glucose is provided as a gel formulation, suitable for quick energy restoration in hypoglycemic patients.
• An EMT requires authorization from medical control before administering aspirin to patients suspected of an acute stroke.

Patient Management Scenarios

• In a case involving a woman with chest heaviness after taking nitroglycerin, geriatric patients may need adjusted doses due to slower absorption rates.
• Hypoglycemia represents critically low blood glucose levels, necessitating rapid corrective actions.
• Aspirin prevents platelet aggregation, making it effective for patients with suspected heart attacks.

Effects of Nitroglycerin and Patient Positioning

• Nitroglycerin relaxes coronary artery walls, aiding blood flow during cardiac emergencies.
• If a patient experiences significant systolic blood pressure drops after nitroglycerin administration, placing them in a supine position may alleviate dizziness.

Allergic Reactions and Epinephrine Usage

• A patient with a hornet sting allergic reaction should be transported to a hospital unless medical control contact can be made.
• Epinephrine naturally constricts blood vessels and dilates lung passages, but it does not decrease heart rate or blood pressure, which is a misconception.
• An epinephrine auto-injector delivers a preset amount, generally without requiring physician authorization for use.

Opioid Overdose Response

• Naloxone (Narcan) is administered in opioid overdose situations, but it is crucial to be mindful that it could prompt seizures in some patients.
• Detection of Alupent, an asthma medication, indicates the patient’s history of asthma, highlighting the importance of comprehensive patient history in treatment scenarios.