EMT MOD5 – Chapter18 General Pharmacology – Flashcards

Why should EMTs study pharmacology? Answer 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. An EMT must know the manufacturer, sources, characteristics, and effects of every medication that has been prescribed to the patient. As an EMT, you will be trusted to administer medications in emergency situations, although many of these may do nothing but give the patient false hope. An EMT must know the sources, characteristics, and effects of each medication that the physician may prescribe.

Which of the following is a complete list of the medications an EMT can assist the patient in taking or administer under the direction of the Medical Director? Answer Prescribed bronchodilator inhalers, prescribed nitroglycerin, and prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors Any over-the-counter medication, oral glucose, and oxygen Aspirin, acetaminophen, oral glucose, insulin, prescribed bronchodilator inhalers, nitroglycerin, and epinephrine auto-injectors. Aspirin, oral glucose, oxygen, prescribed bronchodilator inhalers, nitroglycerin, and epinephrine auto-injectors

Why do EMTs give aspirin to the patient on the ambulance? Answer Aspirin reduces the heart's ability to beat fast and works to prevent rapid heart rate. Aspirin reduces the pain level in patients who are in pain. Aspirin reduces the blood's ability to clot and works to prevent clot formation in patients suffering chest pain. It is given to calm the patient by reducing the pain because stress is the real killer.

What condition must be present before you give oral glucose? Answer The patient must have a history of diabetes. The patient, if conscious, must be able to swallow; if unconscious, you can apply the gel to a tongue depressor and place it between the cheek and gum or under the tongue. The patient must be conscious and able to swallow with an altered mental status and history of diabetes. The patient must be unconscious and have a history of diabetes.

What medication is given when a patient suffers from a medical or traumatic condition called hypoxia? Answer Oxygen Oral glucose Epinephrine Aspirin

Which of the following statements is true concerning oxygen? Answer Never give oxygen to a chronic obstructed pulmonary disease patient. Always document the need for oxygen by pulse oximetry before giving it to the patient. Only withhold oxygen to anyone who is allergic to it. Never withhold oxygen to any patient who needs it.

Nitroglycerin is indicated for which of the following chief complaints? Answer Decreased level of consciousness Chest pain Headache Difficulty breathing

Which of the following is a potential side effect of nitroglycerin? Answer Decreased blood pressure Sudden increase in heart rate Difficulty breathing All of the above

Which of the following is often prescribed for a patient with a heart condition? Answer Ventolin Nitroglycerin An epinephrine auto-injector Non-aspirin pain relievers such as Tylenol

Epinephrine delivered by auto-injector may be indicated for patients with which of the following conditions? Answer Drug overdose Severe allergies to peanut, shellfish, penicillin, or bee stings Chest pain Chronic pulmonary diseases .

Which of the following is a desired action of epinephrine delivered by auto-injector? Answer Constriction of blood vessels Constriction of coronary arteries Dilation of coronary arteries Decrease in blood pressure .

Which of the following is an example of a medication's trade name? Answer Epinephrine Nitrostat 4 dihydroxyphenyl acetate Oxygen

Which of the following BEST describes a contraindication to a medication? Answer An unintended action of the drug The way in which a drug causes its effects A reason why you should avoid giving a medication to a patient A reason why you should give a medication to a patient

A drug's form refers to which of the following? Answer Its physical state, such as powder, liquid, or gas The mandatory paperwork that must be completed when giving any drug The type of container it comes in The way in which it is administered

Which of the following describes the sublingual route of medication administration? Answer The medication is injected under the skin. The medication is breathed into the lungs, such as from an inhaler. The medication is placed under the tongue. The medication is swallowed whole, not chewed.

Your patient is a 59-year-old woman with a history of emphysema. Per protocol, you have assisted the patient in using her medication inhaler. Which of the following must be documented? Answer The chemical name of the medication The expiration date of the medication The patient's response to the medication All of the above

How is activated charcoal, which is carried by some EMS systems, supplied for use in emergency situations? Answer As a powder, which is premixed with water As a gel or paste As tablets As a fine liquid spray for inhalation

Which of the following should you anticipate when giving nitroglycerin to a patient? Answer A drop in the patient's blood pressure A patient complaint of headache A change in the level of pain experienced by the patient All of the above

You have just administered nitroglycerin to a 68-year-old patient. Within a few minutes, she complains of feeling faint and lightheaded, but states that she is still having some chest pain. Which of the following would be the BEST sequence of actions? Answer Lower the head of the stretcher and take the patient's blood pressure. Administer activated charcoal to prevent further absorption of the nitroglycerin and closely monitor the patient's blood pressure. Advise the patient that this is a normal occurrence and administer a second dose of nitroglycerin. Increase the amount of oxygen you are giving to the patient before administering a second dose of nitroglycerin.

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? Answer No, any delay will cause the patient more heart damage; each delay weakens the myocardium. Yes, the nitroglycerin will cause the blood vessels to dilate and restore some blood flow, and the aspirin will slow the clotting process. Yes, the nitroglycerin will cause the heart to beat stronger and restore some blood flow, and the aspirin will ease the pain. No, any delay will cause the patient more stress; she needs to be in a definitive care facility.

Which of the following instructions should you give to a patient whom you are about to assist with administering epinephrine? Answer Insert the mouthpiece and inhale deeply as you depress the canister. I am going to inject medication into your thigh. Open your mouth and lift your tongue so I can spray this medication under your tongue. This is not pleasant tasting, but it is important that you drink all of it.

Bronchodilator inhalers have several common side effects, which include: Answer decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate. bronchodilation and increased heart rate. vasoconstriction and increased heart rate. jitteriness and increased heart rate. .

What is the first step in giving aerosol medications? Answer Contact medical control to receive permission to give the medication. Determine that the inhaler actually belongs to the patient. Make sure the patient is suffering from asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis. Complete the primary assessment and take vital signs.

Nitroglycerin (Nitro) is used for patients with recurrent chest pain or a history of heart attack. Nitro is supplied in what two ways? Answer Pills and injectable Aerosol and spray Pills and spray Ointment and pills

What are the actions of nitroglycerin on the human body? Answer It reduces the pain in the myocardium and lowers blood pressure. It causes the dilation of coronary blood pressure and reduces pain in the myocardium. It causes the constriction of bronchioles and reduces pain in the myocardium. It causes the dilation of coronary blood vessels that supply the heart muscle.

A serious negative interaction for giving Nitrostat is a drug interaction with what medications? Answer Nitroglycerin, Ventolin, and epinephrine Sildenafil, vardenafil, and epinephrine Viagra, Levitra, or medication for erectile dysfunction Oral glucose, Viagra, and aspirin

Name the type of medical direction consisting of standing orders and protocols. Answer Off-line Verbal On-line Written

What is the indication for giving an epinephrine auto-injector in a life-threatening allergic reaction? Answer It will help raise the patient's blood pressure and slow the heart rate. It will constrict the patient's airway passages and blood vessels. It will help constrict the patient's blood vessels and relax the airway passages. It will help dilate the patient's blood vessels and relax the airway passages.

What are the names given to each medication listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia? Answer Official, chemical, and generic Manufacturers, general, and governmental Trade, chemical, and generic Trade, brand, and generic

The symptoms or circumstances for which a medication is given are called: Answer contraindications. indications. side effects. untoward effects.

When you give patients nitroglycerin, they sometimes develop a headache. This would be called a: Answer side effect. contraindication. untoward effect. indication.

You are called to the school where a 16-year-old female has trouble breathing from a possible allergic reaction. You arrive and find the patient wheezing, with cool clammy skin, and holding an epinephrine auto-injector. After you assess the patient and contact medical control, you are advised to give the medication. When you give the patient the epinephrine auto-injector she develops symptoms of anxiety: dizziness, headache, nausea, nervousness, paleness, sweating, tremors, vomiting, and weakness. These symptoms are considered: Answer contraindications. untoward effects. side effects. indications.

The epinephrine auto-injector is given via the _______________ route. Answer oral enteral digestive parenteral

Nitroglycerin is given via the _______________ route. Answer parenteral lingual sublingual enteral .

Question 35 Which of the following BEST describes the five rights? Answer In date, right medication, right order, right dose, right time Right patient, right medication, in date, right dose, right route Right decision, right medication, right order, right dose, right place Right patient, right medication, right time, right dose, right route

Choose the correct completion to this statement regarding IV administration: This route is used to administer medication into the body directly or through the bloodstream and is: Answer beyond the scope of the EMT level. allowed in larger cities and more advanced EMS services. used in advanced life support only when the patient is intubated. only performed on advanced life support services

The study of the effects of medications on the body in relation to age and weight is called: Answer pharmacology. pharmacodynamics. measurement and documentation. pharmacokinetics.

The EMT, after administering any medication, must do which of the following? Answer Reconsider the five rights, reassess the patient, and contact medical control. Document the administration, reassess the patient, and report to the receiving facility. Wait 5 minutes, repeat the medication if needed, and reassess the patient's vitals. Document the route, dose, and time; reassess the patient; and re-administer the medication.