Chapter 11, Principles of Pharmacology EMT – Flashcards

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: Select one: A. administer another treatment in 30 seconds if she is still in distress. B. reassess the patient and document her response to the medication. C. check the drug's expiration date to ensure that it is still current. D. contact medical control and apprise him or her of what you did.

A 62-year-old male is seen 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 supplemental oxygen if needed and contacting medical control, you should: Select one: A. administer up to three doses of nitroglycerin before assessing his blood pressure. B. administer the nitroglycerin unless he has taken Viagra within the past 72 hours. C. begin immediate transport and request a rendezvous with a paramedic unit. D. assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic blood pressure is less than 100 mm Hg

Activated charcoal is an example of a(n): Select one: A. elixir. B. suspension. C. solution. D. gel.

Advil, Nuprin, and Motrin are trade names for the generic medication: Select one: A. acetaminophen. B. aspirin. C. nitrostat. D. ibuprofen.

After taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for an allergic reaction, a person begins experiencing drowsiness and a dry mouth. These findings are an example of a(n): Select one: A. untoward effect. B. unpredictable effect. C. side effect. D. therapeutic effect.

In ___________ administration, you are administering medication to yourself or your partner. Select one: A. patient-assisted B. peer-assisted C. EMT-administered D. paramedic-administered

Medications encased in a gelatin shell that are taken by mouth are called: Select one: A. pills. B. caplets. C. capsules. D. tablets.

The amount of medication that is given is known as the _________. Select one: A. indication B. side effect C. contraindication D. dose

The process of binding or sticking to a surface is called: Select one: A. digestion. B. suspension. C. adsorption. D. absorption.

The term "pharmacology" is MOST accurately defined as: Select one: A. the study of how medications affect the brain. B. the study of drugs that are produced illegally. C. the study of drugs and their actions on the body. D. the study of drug excretion from the human body.

What is the route of administration for the EpiPen auto-injector? Select one: A. Intravenous B. Intraosseous C. Intramuscular D. Sublingual

When assessing an elderly male who complains of nausea and generalized weakness, you find that he takes atorvastatin (Lipitor) and amlodipine (Norvasc). These medications suggest a history of: Select one: A. cardiovascular disease. B. non-insulin-dependent diabetes. C. reactive airway disease. D. bacterial infection.

Which of the following clinical signs would necessitate the administration of naloxone (Narcan)? Select one: A. Tachycardia B. Hypertension C. Slow respirations D. Extreme agitation

Which of the following is an example of a rules-based medication error? Select one: A. The EMT administers a drug that is not approved by the medical director. B. The EMT administers the correct drug, but gives it by the wrong route. C. The EMT accidentally gives a higher drug dose than what is indicated. D. The EMT administers a drug that is contraindicated for the patient.

Which of the following is required for an EMT to administer a drug to a patient? Select one: A. A patient with an altered level of consciousness B. An alert adult patient C. Medical direction approval D. A patient with stable vital signs

Which of the following patient populations typically require a modified drug dose? Select one: A. Females B. Pediatric patients C. Patients with asthma D. Middle adults

Which of the following statements regarding glucose is correct? Select one: A. Glucose is given to patients who are suspected of being hyperglycemic. B. Glucose is usually administered by the EMT via the intravenous route. C. Glucose is a complex sugar that rapidly absorbs into the bloodstream. D. Glucose is a simple sugar that is readily absorbed by the bloodstream.

Which of the following statements regarding parenteral medications is correct? Select one: A. Tylenol is an example of a parenteral medication because it is taken orally. B. Compared to enteral medications, parenteral medications have fewer side effects. C. Parenteral medications are absorbed by the body through the digestive system. D. Parenteral medications are absorbed more quickly than enteral medications.

While assisting a paramedic in the attempted resuscitation of a 55-year-old male in cardiac arrest, you should expect the paramedic to: Select one: A. give the patient nitroglycerin to increase his blood pressure. B. withhold drug therapy until an intraosseous catheter is in place. C. give the patient activated charcoal to rule out a drug overdose. D. administer drugs via the IV route to achieve the fastest effect.

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 been trained and approved by your medical director to administer them. As your partner gives the patient supplemental oxygen, you attempt to contact medical control but do not have a signal from your cell phone. You should: Select one: A. immediately load the patient into the ambulance, begin transport, and reattempt to contact medical control when you receive a cell signal. B. notify dispatch and request that a paramedic unit respond to the scene so they can administer epinephrine to the patient. C. place her in a supine position, keep her warm, begin transport to the hospital, and request a paramedic intercept en route. D. administer epinephrine to the patient, begin immediate transport, and attempt to contact medical control en route to the hospital.