Drug Classifications and Routes of Administration

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is an example of a generic drug? (Select one)

Aspirin (correct)

Advil

Excedrin

Bayer

Which of the following medication routes would be the MOST appropriate to use in an unresponsive patient when intravenous access cannot be obtained? (Select one)

Subcutaneous

Intramuscular

Transcutaneous

Intraosseous (correct)

How is nitroglycerin usually given by the EMT? (Select one)

Orally

Injected

Inhaled

Sublingually (correct)

Which of the following medication routes delivers a drug through the skin over an extended period of time? (Select one)

Transcutaneous Signup and view all the answers

A mucosal atomizer device (MAD) is used to deliver certain medications via the: (Select one)

Intranasal route Signup and view all the answers

What medication form does oral glucose come in? (Select one)

Gel Signup and view all the answers

An EMT may administer aspirin to a patient if: (Select one)

Authorization from medical control has been obtained. Signup and view all the answers

You should do the following for a 74-year-old woman who took two nitroglycerin tablets and still feels heaviness in her chest: (Select one)

Recall that geriatric patients often have slower absorption and elimination times, which may necessitate modification of the dosing of certain drugs. Signup and view all the answers

The medical term for an extremely low blood glucose level is: (Select one)

Hypoglycemia Signup and view all the answers

Aspirin is beneficial to patients suspected of having a heart attack because it: (Select one)

Prevents the aggregation of platelets. Signup and view all the answers

Nitroglycerin, when given to patients with cardiac-related chest pain: (Select one)

Relaxes the walls of the coronary arteries. Signup and view all the answers

Shortly after assisting a 65-year-old female with her prescribed nitroglycerin, she begins complaining of dizziness and experiences a drop of 30 mm Hg in her systolic blood pressure. What should you do? (Select one)

Place her in a supine position. Signup and view all the answers

You are treating a 45-year-old woman stung by a hornet who is allergic. What should you do if you are not able to make contact with medical control? (Select one)

Begin transport to the hospital and closely monitor her condition while en route. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of epinephrine? (Select one)

Decreases heart rate and blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding the epinephrine auto-injector is correct? (Select one)

The epinephrine auto-injector delivers a preset amount of the drug. Signup and view all the answers

EMTs respond to a known heroin abuser who is unresponsive. If they give naloxone (Narcan) to this patient, they should recall that: (Select one)

Naloxone administration could cause seizures in this patient. Signup and view all the answers

A 37-year-old male is found unresponsive in his car. This medication named Alupent suggests that the patient has a history of: (Select one)

Asthma Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

This quiz covers various drug classifications, common administration routes, and medication forms. Topics include the use of aspirin, nitroglycerin, and devices such as mucosal atomizer devices. Test your knowledge on the management scenarios involving medication administration.