25 Questions
The symptoms or circumstances for which a medication is given are called:
indications.
When you give patients nitroglycerin, they sometimes develop a headache. This would be called a(n):
Side effect
Which of the following best describes a contraindication to a medication?
A reason why you should not give a medication to a patient
What condition must be present before you give oral glucose?
The patient must be conscious and able to swallow with an altered mental status and history of diabetes.
Why should EMTs study pharmacology?
As an EMT, you will be trusted to administer medications in emergency situations; many of these may be lifesaving, but there is potential to do harm.
What medication is given when a patient suffers from a medical or traumatic condition called hypoxia?
Oxygen
Which of the following is the commonly accepted list of medications an EMT can assist the patient in taking or administer under the direction of the Medical Director?
Aspirin, oral glucose, oxygen, prescribed bronchodilator inhalers, nitroglycerin, epinephrine auto-injectors, and naloxone
Why would an EMT give aspirin to a patient?
Aspirin reduces the blood's ability to clot and works to prevent further clot formation in patients suffering chest pain.
Which of the following statements concerning oxygen is true?
Never withhold oxygen from any patient who needs it.
Nitroglycerin is indicated for which of the following chief complaints?
Chest pain
What is the reason for giving an epinephrine auto-injector in a life-threatening allergic reaction?
It will help constrict the patient's blood vessels and relax the airway passages
Which of the following is often prescribed for a patient with a heart condition?
Nitroglycerin
Epinephrine delivered by auto-injector may be indicated for patients with which of the following conditions?
Severe allergies to peanut butter, shellfish, penicillin, or bee stings
Which of the following is a desired action of epinephrine delivered by auto-injector?
Constriction of blood vessels
Which of the following is an example of a medication's trade name?
Nitrostat
You respond to a medical call for a 59-year-old female complaining of tightness in her chest. You place her on a high concentration of oxygen and prepare for a short 5-minute transport to the hospital. The patient tells you she is on nitroglycerin, which she has not taken. Your partner tells you that you can give aspirin per protocol. Should you delay the patient transport to give the medication, and why?
No, any delay will cause the patient more heart damage; each delay weakens the myocardium.
What is the first medication that should be administered to a patient experiencing chest pain with difficulty breathing?
Oxygen
What is the most important medication that should be administered to a patient experiencing chest pain with difficulty breathing?
Aspirin
You are on the scene of a 68-year-old patient with a history of COPD who is breathing 44 times per minute and has a diminished level of consciousness. His wife states he has an albuterol inhaler and nitroglycerin tablets for angina. What is the most important drug you can administer to the patient?
Oxygen by bag-valve mask
Albuterol and epinephrine both have bronchodilation properties that improve the amount of oxygen that a person can inhale and absorb. However, albuterol is administered only for asthma, whereas epinephrine is administered for both asthma and anaphylaxis. Why is epinephrine, and not Albuterol, the first choice for anaphylaxis?
Albuterol is not a vasoconstrictor.
How does nitroglycerin decrease the level of chest pain that a patient experiences?
It dilates the blood vessels, allowing more blood to enter the heart muscle.
How does aspirin actually reduce the chances that a patient suffering a heart attack will die?
It reduces the ability of the blood to form clots.
You are on the scene of a 44-year-old female patient who has attempted suicide by taking all 30 pills of her antidepressant medication at once. You are ordered by medical control to administer activated charcoal. How will activated charcoal reduce the effects of the medication?
Activated charcoal will bind to the medication, reducing absorption.
A contraindication for giving Nitrostat is a drug interaction with what medications?
Viagra, Levitra, or medication for erectile dysfunction
Which of the following is a potential side effect of nitroglycerin?
Decreased blood pressure
Study Notes
Medication Terminology
- The symptoms or circumstances for which a medication is given are called indications.
- A side effect of a medication is an adverse effect that occurs when a patient takes a medication.
Contraindications
- A contraindication is a condition or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a medication because it may cause harm.
- Contraindications are circumstances where a medication should not be given.
Nitroglycerin
- Nitroglycerin is indicated for patients suffering from chest pain or hypoxia.
- Nitroglycerin decreases the level of chest pain by dilating blood vessels and reducing the heart's workload.
- A contraindication for giving Nitrostat is a drug interaction with sildenafil or tadalafil.
- A potential side effect of nitroglycerin is a headache.
Aspirin
- Aspirin is given to patients experiencing chest pain with difficulty breathing.
- Aspirin reduces the chances of a patient suffering a heart attack from dying by preventing blood clotting.
Epinephrine
- Epinephrine is given to patients experiencing anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions.
- Epinephrine is the first choice for anaphylaxis because it has vasoconstrictive properties that help to counteract the effects of anaphylaxis.
- Epinephrine delivered by auto-injector may be indicated for patients with a history of severe allergic reactions.
- A desired action of epinephrine delivered by auto-injector is to restore blood pressure and cardiac output.
Albuterol
- Albuterol is administered for asthma and COPD to improve lung function.
- Albuterol has bronchodilation properties that improve the amount of oxygen that a person can inhale and absorb.
Oxygen
- Oxygen is given to patients experiencing respiratory distress or hypoxia.
- A true statement concerning oxygen is that it is often given to patients with difficulty breathing.
Activated Charcoal
- Activated charcoal is given to patients who have ingested toxic substances, such as in the case of overdose.
- Activated charcoal reduces the effects of the medication by absorbing the toxin and preventing its absorption into the bloodstream.
EMT Pharmacology
- EMTs should study pharmacology to understand the medications they can assist patients in taking or administer under the direction of the Medical Director.
- The commonly accepted list of medications an EMT can assist the patient in taking or administer under the direction of the Medical Director includes oxygen, aspirin, nitroglycerin, epinephrine, and activated charcoal.
Test your knowledge of medication indications by identifying the symptoms or circumstances for which a medication is given. This quiz will challenge your understanding of pharmaceutical usage.
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