Important Medications

Albuterol

Actions → dilates bronchioles

Indications → Asthma, Dypnea with wheezing

Contraindications → severe tachycardia + chest pain

Side Effects → HTN (hypertension) + Tachycardia + anxiety + restlessness

Route and Dose → Nebulized, MDI 2.5 mg

Nitroglycerin

Actions → dilates blood vessels

Indications → chest pain

Contraindications → Blood pressure < 90s + ED medications within 24 hours

Side Effects → headache + hypotension

Route and Dose → Sublingual (SL) and 0.4mg

Aspirin

Actions → Anti-inflammatory + anti-fever + prevents clotting

Indications → Chest pain

Contraindications → stomach ulcers + allergic + pediatrics

Side Effects → Bleeding

Route and Dose → Oral and Chewable + 324 mg (x4 81mg tablets)

Glucose

Actions → raises blood sugar

Indications → hypoglycemia

Contraindications → decreased LOC + Nausea/vomiting

Side Effects → Hyperglycemia

Route and Dose → Oral 15 grams

Naloxone

Actions → reverse respiratory depression due to opioid overdose

Indications → Opioid overdose

Contraindications → None

Side Effects → Nausea/Vomiting

Route and Dose → Intranasal 1mg per nostril

Epinephrine

Actions → Bronchodilator + Vasoconstrictor + Activates NS

Indications → anaphylactic reaction

Contraindications → HTN + chest pain

Side Effects → HTN + Tachycardia + anxiety + restlessness

Route and Dose → Intramuscular 0.3mg adult / 0.15mg Ped

Rights

1. Person

2. Medication

3. Dose

4. Route

5. Time

6. Documentation

Routes

Inhalation

Intramuscular (IM)

Oral

Sublingual (SL)

Intranasal (IN)

Atrovent

Action → dries mucus secretions in airways

Indications → asthma + COPD

Contraindications → caution in peanut allergy

Side effects → none

Route and Dose → Nebulized, MDI 0.5mg

Activated Charcoal

Actions → absorbs toxins in GI

Indication → most oral poisonings or OD

Contraindications → decreased LOC + OD of corrosives/caustics/petroleum

Side Effects → Nausea/Vomiting + Diarrhea + black stools

Route and Dose → Oral 1-2 grams/kg

Oxygen

Actions → Reverses hypoxia

Indications → hypoxia

Contraindications → caution in COPD

Side Effects → Decreases respiratory effort in COPD

Route and Dose → Inhalation 28%-100%