1. Section 4: Medical Emergencies

2. Chapter 10
General Pharmacology

3. Objectives Identify medications carried on the unit.
State generic name of medications carried.
Identify medications with which the EMT-B may assist the patient.
State forms in which medications may be found.
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

4. General Pharmacology
You will be responsible for administering certain drugs.
You will be responsible for assisting patients self-administer other drugs.
Not understanding how medications work places you and the patient in danger.
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

5. Pharmacology Definitions (1 of 2)
The study of the properties and effects of drugs and medications
Dose
Amount of medication given
Action
Therapeutic effects expected on the body
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

6. Pharmacology Definitions (2 of 2)
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
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

7. 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
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

8. Routes of Administrations (1 of 3)
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
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

9. Routes of Administrations (2 of 3)
Intramuscular (IM) injection
Injection into the muscle
Intraosseous (IO)
Injection into the bone marrow
Subcutaneous (SC) injection
Injection into tissue between skin and muscle
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

10. Routes of Administration (3 of 3)
Transcutaneous
Medications absorbed through the skin
Inhalation
Medications inhaled into the lungs
Per rectum (PR)
Administration by rectum
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

11. Dosage Forms (1 of 4) Tablets
Materials mixed with medication and compressed under pressure
Capsules
Gelatin shells filled with powdered or liquid medication
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

12. Dosage Forms (2 of 4) Solutions
Liquid mixture of one or more substances
Suspensions
Mixture of fine particles distributed throughout a liquid by shaking
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

13. Dosage Forms (3 of 4) 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
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

14. Dosage Forms (4 of 4) Transcutaneous medications
Designed to be absorbed through the skin
Gels
Semi-liquid substances administered orally
Gases for inhalation
Oxygen
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

15. Medications Carried on EMS Unit
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

16. Oxygen Required by all cells of the body
Administered as a gas for inhalation
Ignites easily, requiring caution near sources of ignition
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

17. Activated Charcoal Suspension used to absorb ingested poisons
Often combined with a laxative
Administered orally as a suspension
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

18. Oral Glucose Glucose is used by cells for energy.
Patients with low blood glucose are hypoglycemic.
It is administered orally as a gel.
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

19. Assisted-Administration Medications
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

20. 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
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

21. Administering Epinephrine by Injection
Sterilize skin.
Insert needle and draw plunger back.
Inject medication.
Dispose of needle.
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

22. Metered-Dose Inhaler
Medication should be delivered as the patient is inhaling.
Device may include spacer.
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

23. Nitroglycerin
Increases blood flow by relieving spasms and causing arteries to dilate
May decrease blood pressure
Available in tablet or spray
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

24. General Steps to Administer Medications (1 of 2)
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.
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS

25. General Steps to Administer Medications (2 of 2)
Reassess vital signs, especially heart rate and blood pressure, at least every 5 minutes or as the patient’s condition changes.
Document
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition AAOS