1. General Pharmacology

2. Key Term
Pharmacology
The study of drugs, their sources, characteristics, and effects 2

3. Types of Medication Names
All listed in U.S. Pharmacopoeia
Generic name: epinephrine
Chemical name: B- (e, 4 dihydroxyphenyl) amethylaminoethanol
Trade name: Epi-Pen® 3

4. Overview of Medications
Used by the EMT–B 4

5. Medications Carried on the EMS Unit
Activated charcoal – is used to treat a poisoning or overdose when a substance is swallowed. It will absorb some poisons keeping the medication from being absorbed by the body.
In order to use you MUST call medical control. Generally, charcoal should be given within 2 hours of ingestion of the poison or drug. 5

6. Medications Carried on the EMS Unit
Oral glucose – is a form of glucose taken by mouth to treat a conscious patient with an altered mental status and a history of diabetes. NOT TO BE USED ON AN UNCONSCIOUS PATIENT!!!
Administer the entire tube of glucose. 6

7. Medications Carried on the EMS Unit
Oxygen – Pure Oxygen is used as a drug to treat any patient whose medical or traumatic condition caused them to be hypoxic or in danger of becoming hypoxic.
List ways you would administer O2 with appropriate liter flow. 7

8. Medications Carried on the EMS Unit
Epi Pen – Used to help constrict blood vessels and relax airway passages. Used by patients with severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) from things such as bee stings, food allergies, and medications. Refer to protocol. These may also be prescribed to patients.
Adult dose: .3 mg
Child dose: .15 mg 8

9. Medications Carried on the EMS Unit
Injected with an auto-injector syringe on the thigh – intramuscular
After injection, hold the syringe in place for 10 seconds to allow all the medication to get into the patient.
Dispose of auto-injector into a SHARPS container. 9

12. Medications Carried on the EMS Unit
Albuterol (Proventil) – opens up the airways (bronchodilator). Used with individuals having an asthma attack. Reduces airway resistance.
For use on individuals age 1-65 with a history of asthma
Administered through a nebulizer. Oxygen flow rate should be set at 6 lpm
Dose is 2.5 mg 12

14. Medications Carried on the EMS Unit
For patients with angina, myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure, medical control must be contacted prior to administration of albuterol.
Side Effects of Albuterol
Increased pulse rate
Nervousness
Tremors 14

16. Medications Carried on the EMS Unit
Aspirin – given to patients suffering chest pain with a cardiac history.
If patient has not taken aspirin and has no history of aspirin allergy and no evidence of recent gastrointestinal bleeding, administer chewable baby aspirin – 160mg to 325 mg 16

17. Medications Prescribed to Patients
Prescribed inhaler – used by patients having difficulty breathing and who have diseases such as asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Nebulizer – medicine is delivered as a fine mist mixed with oxygen. Used to treat breathing problems such as asthma. Provides greater exposure to the medication. 17

18. Medications Prescribed to Patients
Nitroglycerin – causes blood vessels to dilate. Used by patients with chest pain.
Complication: Pt’s blood pressure may drop. If this happens:
Stop administration of NTG
Lie the pt. flat, elevate legs
Reassess their vital signs 18

19. What you need to know when giving a medication

20. Indication
Specific sign, symptom, or circumstance that makes it appropriate to administer a drug
example: nitro for chest pain. 20

21. Contraindication
Specific sign, symptom, or circumstance in which it would be inappropriate, or harmful, to administer a drug –
example: giving nitro to a patient with a low blood pressure (hypotensive). 21

22. Side Effects Any action of the drug other than the desired actions
Some side effects are predictable (e.g., headache as a side effect of nitroglycerin). 22

23. Before Giving ANY Medication You Should Be Able to Answer the Following Questions

24. Dose Actions Route How much should be given to a patient
Desired effects on a patient
Route
How the medication is administered (i.e., orally, sublingually, by injection) 24

25. What the EMT–B Needs to Know About Medications ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Medications Come in
Many Different
Forms 25

26. Compressed Powders or Tablets Example – Nitroglycerine
Used for chest pain 26

27. Used in allergic reactions
Liquids for Injection
Example – Epi Pen
Used in allergic reactions 27

28. Example – Instant Glucose Used in diabetics
Gels
Example – Instant Glucose
Used in diabetics 28

29. Activated Charcoal used in overdoses
Suspensions
Example –
Activated Charcoal used in overdoses 29

30. Fine Powder for Inhalation Example – Albuterol used in Asthma Attacks30

31. Used for patients with Dyspnea
Gases – oxygen
Used for patients with Dyspnea 31

32. Sublingual Spray (under the tongue) Example: Nitroglycerine Spray32

33. Liquid that is vaporized – Nebulized Albuterol33

34. Routes of Administration
Orally - swallowed
Sublingual – dissolved under the tongue
Inhaled – breathed into the lungs (aerosol or inhaler)
Intravenous – injected into the vein ***
Intramuscular – injected into the muscle ***
Subcutaneous – injected under the skin ***
***EMT-B CAN’T DO THESE PROCEDURES***

35. Steps to Take When Administering a Medication

36. If the order was received from on-line medical direction, confirm the order with the doctor and write it down.
2. Check to make sure the medication has not expired.
3. Ask yourself (the 4 Rights):
a. Do I have the right patient?
b. Is this the right medication?
c. Is this the right dose?
d. Am I giving this medication by the right route?

37. 4. Document the time the medication was administered.
5. Document any changes, if any, in the patient’s condition following administration of the medication.
6. Repeat vital signs.

38. Review Questions 2. List the forms of medications.
3. List the four rights in medication administration.
4. Why must patients be reassessed after medication has been given? 38

39. STREET SCENES What additional patient history should you obtain?
Should you let the patient take nitroglycerin? Why or why not? 39

40. STREET SCENES
Are vital signs important if nitroglycerin is going to be taken by the patient?
What information do you want to know about nitroglycerin? 40

41. STREET SCENES How should the nitroglycerin be administered?
When should vital signs be taken again? 41

42. Sample Documentation 42