Emergency Medical Responder Drug Profiles

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering Emergency Medical Responder pharmacology profiles including drug classifications, mechanisms, dosages, indications, contraindications, and adverse effects.

Entonox

A medical gas consisting of $50\%$ oxygen and $50\%$ nitrous oxide that acts as a potent analgesic and weak anesthetic.

Entonox Indications

Relief of moderate to severe pain; cardiac-related chest pain where nitroglycerin is contraindicated (must be followed by high flow oxygen when discontinued); isolated extremity injuries, pain associated with burns excluding mechanisms associated with potential inhalation injury, etc.

Entonox Contraindications

Artificial, traumatic, or spontaneous pneumothorax; air embolism; decompression sickness following a recent dive; severe bullous emphysema; gross abdominal distension; altered mental status; inability to comply with instructions; inhalation injury; nitroglycerin use within $5\,\text{minutes}$ of administration.

Nitroglycerine (NTG)

An antianginal nitrate that relaxes vascular smooth muscle (predominantly a venodilator) and produces coronary and systemic arterial vasodilation to a lesser extent.

Nitroglycerine Dosage and Administration

$0.4\,\text{mg}$ spray SL - repeat q $3-5\,\text{min}$, maintaining B/P $> 90$ systolic.

Nitroglycerine Contraindications

Allergy or known hypersensitivity to nitroglycerin or other nitrates; Viagra or Levitra use in the past $24\,\text{hours}$; Cialis use in the past $48\,\text{hours}$; hypotension or uncorrected hypovolemia, severe anemia.

Naloxone (Narcan)

A narcotic antagonist and diagnostic agent that reverses the effects of opioids including respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension by competing for receptor sites, especially the opioid mu receptor.

Naloxone Dosage

IM Injection: $0.4\,\text{mg}$ IM if patient has reasonable perfusion. Nasal spray: $4\,\text{mg}$ of naloxone hydrochloride in $0.1\,\text{mL}$.

Naloxone Adverse Effects

Reversal of narcotic effect and combativeness; signs and symptoms of severe drug withdrawal; hypotension, hypertension; sweating, tachycardia; ventricular fibrillation, asystole.

Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA)

An antiplatelet and antithrombotic agent (generic name Aspirin) that inhibits the formation of thromboxane A2, which is a potent platelet aggregate and vasoconstrictor.

Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) Dosage

$160\,\text{mg}$ PO; patient must chew ASA before swallowing.

Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) Contraindications

Allergy to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) agents (including Advil); asthma in patients who have experienced an exacerbation of their asthma after taking ASA; recent head injury, stroke, or significant acute bleeding of any kind.

Salbutamol (Ventolin)

A sympathomimetic bronchodilator that produces bronchodilation and some degree of vasodilation.

Salbutamol Indications and Contraindications

Indications: Bronchospasm associated with asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to Ventolin.

Epinephrine (EpiPen)

A sympathomimetic strong vasoconstrictor that quickly counteracts vasodilation and increased vascular permeability during anaphylactic reactions; emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions.

Epinephrine Dosage

Adult: $0.3\,\text{mg}$ epinephrine auto-injector. Pediatric: $0.15\,\text{mg}$ epinephrine auto-injector.