General Pharmacology

Pharmacology

Key Term

The study of drugs, their sources, characteristics, and effects

Types of Medication Names

All listed in U.S. Pharmacopoeia

Generic name: epinephrine

Chemical name: B- (e, 4 dihydroxyphenyl) amethylaminoethanol

Trade name: Epi-Pen®

Overview ofOverview ofMedicationsMedications

Used byUsed bythe EMTthe EMT––BB

Medications Carried onthe 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.

Medications Carried onthe 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.

Medications Carried onthe EMS Unit

OxygenOxygen – – 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.

Medications Carried onthe EMS Unit

Epi PenEpi Pen – – Used to help Used to help constrict blood constrict blood vesselsvessels and and relaxrelax airway passages. Used airway passages. Used by patients with severe allergic reactions by patients with severe allergic reactions ((anaphylaxisanaphylaxis) from things such as ) from things such as bee bee stingsstings, , food allergiesfood allergies, and , and medicationsmedications. . Refer to protocol. These may also be Refer to protocol. These may also be prescribed to patients.prescribed to patients.

Adult dose: Adult dose: .3 mg.3 mg

Child dose: Child dose: .15 mg.15 mg

Medications Carried onthe 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.

Medications Carried onthe 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

Medications Carried onthe 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

Medications Carried onthe 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

Medications Prescribedto 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.

Medications Prescribedto Patients

Nitroglycerin – causes blood vessels to dilate. Used by patients with chest pain.

Complication: Pt’s blood pressure may drop. If this happens:

1.Stop administration of NTG

2.Lie the pt. flat, elevate legs

3.Reassess their vital signs

What you need to know when giving

a medication

IndicationIndication

Specific sign, symptom, or

circumstance that makes it

appropriate to administer a drug

example: nitro for chest pain.

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).

Side Effects

Any action of the drug other than the desired actionsSome side effects are predictable (e.g., headache as a side effect of nitroglycerin).

Before Giving ANYMedication You ShouldBe Able to Answer the

Following Questions

DoseHow much should be given to a

patient

ActionsDesired effects on a patient

RouteHow the medication is administered

(i.e., orally, sublingually, by

injection)

What the EMTWhat the EMT––BBNeeds to KnowNeeds to Know

About MedicationsAbout Medications~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Medications Come inMedications Come inMany DifferentMany Different

FormsForms

Compressed Powders or TabletsCompressed Powders or TabletsExample – Nitroglycerine Example – Nitroglycerine Used for chest painUsed for chest pain

Liquids for Injection Liquids for Injection Example – Epi PenExample – Epi PenUsed in allergic reactionsUsed in allergic reactions

GelsGelsExample – Instant GlucoseExample – Instant GlucoseUsed in diabeticsUsed in diabetics

SuspensionsSuspensionsExample –Example –Activated Activated Charcoal used Charcoal used in overdosesin overdoses

Fine PowderFine Powderfor Inhalationfor InhalationExample –Example –Albuterol used Albuterol used in Asthma in Asthma AttacksAttacks

Gases – oxygenGases – oxygenUsed for patients with DyspneaUsed for patients with Dyspnea

Sublingual SpraySublingual Spray(under the tongue)(under the tongue)

Example:Example:Nitroglycerine SprayNitroglycerine Spray

Liquid that is vaporized – Nebulized Liquid that is vaporized – Nebulized AlbuterolAlbuterol

Routes of Administration

• OrallyOrally - swallowed - 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***

Steps to Take When

Administering a Medication

1. 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?

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.

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?

Review Questions

What additional patient history should you obtain?

Should you let the patient take nitroglycerin? Why or why not?

STREET SCENESSTREET SCENES

Are vital signs important if nitroglycerin is going to be taken by the patient?

What information do you want to know about nitroglycerin?

STREET SCENESSTREET SCENES

How should the nitroglycerin be administered?

When should vital signs be taken again?

STREET SCENESSTREET SCENES

Sample DocumentationSample Documentation