Emergency Medical Medications Overview

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering various emergency medical medications, including their indications, dosages, actions, and side effects.

Activated Charcoal

Binds to ingested toxins, preventing absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Indication for Activated Charcoal

Oral poisoning, overdose, decreased level of consciousness, ingestion of acids, unable to protect airway.

Dosage for Activated Charcoal

1 g per kg, administered per oral route.

Side Effects of Activated Charcoal

Nausea, vomiting, constipation, black stool.

Aspirin (ASA)

An antiplatelet medication that prevents clots from getting bigger.

Indication for Aspirin

Chest pain of suspected cardiac origin, hypersensitivity, GI bleeds, ulcers.

Dosage for Aspirin

4 times 81 mg, up to 160 to 325 mg per oral route.

Side Effects of Aspirin

Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bleeding, allergic reaction.

Albuterol

A bronchodilator that relaxes airway smooth muscle.

Indication for Albuterol

Asthma, difficulty breathing with wheezing, hypersensitivity, tachycardia.

Dosage for Albuterol

1 to 2 inhalations, 5 minutes apart, administered via inhalation.

Side Effects of Albuterol

Hypertension, tachycardia, restlessness.

Epinephrine

Stimulates nervous system, acts as a bronchodilator and vasoconstrictor.

Indication for Epinephrine

Anaphylaxis, chest pain of cardiac origin, hypothermia, hypertension.

Dosage for Epinephrine

0.3 mg for adults, 0.15 mg for pediatrics, administered intramuscularly.

Side Effects of Epinephrine

Hypertension, tachycardia, anxiety, restlessness.

Naloxone

Reverses effects of opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptor sites.

Indication for Naloxone

Suspected opioid overdose with respiratory depression, hypersensitivity.

Dosage for Naloxone

2 to 4 mg, administered via intranasal route.

Side Effects of Naloxone

Nausea, vomiting, agitation, withdrawal symptoms.

Nitroglycerin

A vasodilator that decreases myocardial oxygen demand.

Indication for Nitroglycerin

Chest pain of suspected cardiac origin, hypotension below 100 systolic.

Dosage for Nitroglycerin

0.3 mg sublingual tablets, max 3 every 5 minutes.

Side Effects of Nitroglycerin

Headache, hypotension, dizziness, tachycardia.

Oral Glucose

Provides glucose for cell metabolism.

Indication for Oral Glucose

Hypoglycemia, unconsciousness, decreased level of consciousness.

Dosage for Oral Glucose

½ to 1 tube, 15 to 25 grams, administered per oral route (between gum and cheek).

Side Effects of Oral Glucose

Nausea, vomiting.

Oxygen

Reverses hypoxia, provides O₂ to tissue.

Indication for Oxygen

Hypoxia, suspected hypoxia, rare cautions with COPD.

Oxygen Dosage and Administration

NRB 10-15 Lpm, BVM 15 Lpm, NC 1-6 Lpm, CPAP.

Side Effects of Oxygen

Decreased respiratory drive in some COPD patients, dry mucous membranes.