Medication Flashcards

Medications EMTs can Administer

Activated Charcoal

Albuterol/Proventil/Ventolin

Aspirin

Epinephrine

Oral Glucose

Naloxone

Nitroglycerin

Activated Charcoal Indications

Ingestion toxins or overdose

Activated Charcoal Contras

1. Altered Mental Status

2. Ingestion of alkalis, acids, or petroleum products

3. Unable to swallow

Activated Charcoal Dosage

1 gram/kg body weight

Adults 25-50 g

Peds 12.5-25g

Activated Charcoal Actions

Binds to certain poisons and precents them fro being absorbed by the body

Activated Charcoal Side Effects

Nausea, Vomiting, Aspiration, Black Stool

Albuterol Indications

Signs of respiatory distress in a patient with prescribed inhaler

Albuterol Contras

1. Patient is not alert

2. Allergy/Hypersensitivity

3. Inhaler is not prescribed to the patient

4. Patient has already taken the maximum dose

Albuterol Dosage

Inhaler:

1 dose = 2 puffs

Max: 4 puffs within 30 mins

Nebulizer:

2.5 mg in 3 mL saline nebulized

Albuterol Actions

Beta agnoist bronochodilator, dilates bronchioles, reducing airway resistance

Albuterol Side Effects

Increased pulse rate, tremors, nervousness

Aspirin Indications

Chest pain indicative of a heart attackAp

Aspirin Contras

1. Unable to Swallow

2. Allergy/Hypersensitivity

3. GI Ulcer/Recent Bleeding

4. Known Bleeding Disorder

5. Already Taken Max Dose

Aspirin Dosage

324 mg (One regular Aspirin)

4 × 81 mg (Baby Aspirin)

Aspirin Actions

Prevents blood clotting, leading to increase survival after myocardial infarction

Aspirin Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, bleeding

Epinephrine Indications

Signs of Severe Allergic Reaction, Respiratory Distress or ShockS

Epinephrine Contras

None

Epinephrine Dosage

Adult: 0.3 mg

Peds: 0.15 mg (Less than 30kg/66 lbs)

Epinephrine Actions

Dilates bronchioles, constricts the blood vessels, makes capillaries less permeable

Epinephrine Side Effects

Increased heart rate, pallow, dissiness, chest pain, headache, nausea, vomitting, anxiety

Oral Glucose Indications

Altered Mental Status with low blood glucose level

Oral Glucose Contras

1. Unconscious

2. Unable to Swallow

Oral Glucose Dosage

One tube

10-15 g

Oral Glucose Actions

Increases blood sugar

Oral Glucose Side Effects

None

Naloxone Indications

Suspected Opioid Overdose

Naloxone Contras

Patient is breathing adequately and able to maintain aiway

Naloxone Dosage

2-4 mg

Naloxone Actions

Reverses the effects of narcotics, including decreased LOC and respiratory depression

Naloxone Side Effects

Withdrawal symptoms including nausea, vomitting, and pain and agitation. May become violent

Nitroglycerin Indications

Cardiac related chest pain

Nitroglycerin Contras

1. Hypotension

2. Recent use of ED meds

3. Inability to swallow/folloc commands

4. Patient has taken maximum dose

5. Head injury/known excessive bleeding - GI Bleeding

(Ideally should be prescribed)

Nitroglycerin Dosage

0.4 mg sublingual

Nitroglycerin Actions

Relaxes blood vessels and decreases workload of heart

Nitroglycerin Side Effects

Hypotension, Headache, Pulse Rate Changes

RPMDDD

Route, Patient, Medication, Dosage, Date, Documentation