General Pharmacology Chapter 10

General Pharmacology You will be responsible for administering certain drugs. You will be responsible for assisting patients to self-administer other drugs. Not understanding how medications work places you and the patient in danger. You will be responsible for administering certain drugs. You will be responsible for assisting patients to self-administer other drugs. Not understanding how medications work places you and the patient in danger.

Pharmacology Definitions Pharmacology- The science of drugs, including their ingredients, preparation, uses and actions on the body Dose- Amount of medication given Action- Therapeutic effects expected on the body Indications- Therapeutic uses for a particular drug Contraindications- Conditions in which a medication should not be given Side effects-Actions of a drug other than the desired ones Pharmacology- The science of drugs, including their ingredients, preparation, uses and actions on the body Dose- Amount of medication given Action- Therapeutic effects expected on the body Indications- Therapeutic uses for a particular drug Contraindications- Conditions in which a medication should not be given Side effects-Actions of a drug other than the desired ones

Medication Names Trade name – Brand name given by manufacturer Generic name – Original chemical name Prescription drugs – Given by pharmacists according to doctor’s order Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs – Available without a prescription Trade name – Brand name given by manufacturer Generic name – Original chemical name Prescription drugs – Given by pharmacists according to doctor’s order Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs – Available without a prescription

Routes of Administration Intravenous (IV) injection- Injected directly into the vein Oral- Taken by mouth; enters body through digestive system Sublingual- Placed under the tongue; absorbed by mucous membranes Intramuscular (IM) injection- Injection into the muscle Intraosseous (IO)- Injection into the bone marrow Subcutaneous (SC) injection - Injection into tissue between skin and muscle Transcutaneous- Medications absorbed through the skin Inhalation- Medications inhaled into the lungs Per rectum (PR)- Administration by rectum Intravenous (IV) injection- Injected directly into the vein Oral- Taken by mouth; enters body through digestive system Sublingual- Placed under the tongue; absorbed by mucous membranes Intramuscular (IM) injection- Injection into the muscle Intraosseous (IO)- Injection into the bone marrow Subcutaneous (SC) injection - Injection into tissue between skin and muscle Transcutaneous- Medications absorbed through the skin Inhalation- Medications inhaled into the lungs Per rectum (PR)- Administration by rectum

Dosage Forms Tablets - Materials mixed with medication and compressed under pressure Capsules- Gelatin shells filled with powdered or liquid medication Solutions - Liquid mixture of one or more substances Suspensions- Mixture of fine particles distributed throughout a liquid by shaking Tablets - Materials mixed with medication and compressed under pressure Capsules- Gelatin shells filled with powdered or liquid medication Solutions - Liquid mixture of one or more substances Suspensions- Mixture of fine particles distributed throughout a liquid by shaking

Dosage Forms Metered-dose inhaler- Miniature spray canister, used to direct medication through the mouth into the lungs Topical medications- Lotions, creams, and ointments applied to skin Transcutaneous medications- Designed to be absorbed through the skin Gels- Semi-liquid substances administered orally Gases for inhalation-Oxygen Metered-dose inhaler- Miniature spray canister, used to direct medication through the mouth into the lungs Topical medications- Lotions, creams, and ointments applied to skin Transcutaneous medications- Designed to be absorbed through the skin Gels- Semi-liquid substances administered orally Gases for inhalation-Oxygen

Medications Carried on EMS Unit

Oxygen Required by all cells of the body Administered as a gas for inhalation Ignites easily, requiring caution near sources of ignition Required by all cells of the body Administered as a gas for inhalation Ignites easily, requiring caution near sources of ignition

Activated Charcoal Suspension used to absorb ingested poisons Often combined with a laxative Administered orally as a suspension Suspension used to absorb ingested poisons Often combined with a laxative Administered orally as a suspension

Oral Glucose Glucose is used by cells for energy. Patients with low blood glucose are hypoglycemic. It is administered orally as a gel. Glucose is used by cells for energy. Patients with low blood glucose are hypoglycemic. It is administered orally as a gel.

Aspirin Reduces pain Reduces fever Reduces inflammation Cardiac uses Reduces pain Reduces fever Reduces inflammation Cardiac uses

Assisted-Administration Medications

Epinephrine Increases heart rate and blood pressure and decreases muscle tone of bronchi Eases breathing problems in asthma or allergic reactions May be delivered by MDI, SC, or IM Increases heart rate and blood pressure and decreases muscle tone of bronchi Eases breathing problems in asthma or allergic reactions May be delivered by MDI, SC, or IM

Metered-Dose Inhaler Medication should be delivered as the patient is inhaling. Device may include spacer. Medication should be delivered as the patient is inhaling. Device may include spacer.

Nitroglycerin Increases blood flow by relieving spasms and causing arteries to dilate May decrease blood pressure Available in tablet or spray Increases blood flow by relieving spasms and causing arteries to dilate May decrease blood pressure Available in tablet or spray

General Steps to Administer Medications Obtain orders from medical control. Verify proper medication and prescription. Verify form, dose, and route of the medication. Check expiration date and condition of the medication. Reassess vital signs, especially heart rate and blood pressure, at least every 5 minutes or as the patient’s condition changes. Document Obtain orders from medical control. Verify proper medication and prescription. Verify form, dose, and route of the medication. Check expiration date and condition of the medication. Reassess vital signs, especially heart rate and blood pressure, at least every 5 minutes or as the patient’s condition changes. Document

4 rights Right patient Right dose Right route Right medications (Plus expiration date) Right patient Right dose Right route Right medications (Plus expiration date)

Patient Medications Clue you in to patient conditions Especially helpful when patient has altered mental status Include over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements Clue you in to patient conditions Especially helpful when patient has altered mental status Include over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements