10: General Pharmacology

1. 10: General Pharmacology

2. Cognitive Objectives 4-1.1 Identify which medications will be carried on the unit. 4-1.2 State the medications carried on the unit by the generic name. 4-1.3 Identify the medications with which the EMT-B may assist the patient with administering. 4-1.4 State the medications the EMT-B can assist the patient with by the generic name. 4-1.5 Discuss the forms in which medications may be found.

3. Objectives Affective 4-1.6 Explain the rationale for administration of medications. Psychomotor 4-1.7 Demonstrate general steps for assisting the patient with self-administration of medications. 4-1.8 Read the labels and inspect each type of medication.

4. General Pharmacology • You will be responsible for administering certain drugs. • You will be responsible for assisting patients to self-administer other drugs. • Not understanding how medications work places you and the patient in danger.

5. Pharmacology Definitions (1 of 2) • Pharmacology • The science of drugs, including their ingredients, preparation, uses and actions on the body • Dose • Amount of medication given • Action • Therapeutic effects expected on the body

6. Pharmacology Definitions (2 of 2) • Indications • Therapeutic uses for a particular drug • Contraindications • Conditions in which a medication should not be given • Side effects • Actions of a drug other than the desired ones

7. Trade name Brand name given by manufacturer Generic name Original chemical name Prescription drugs Given by pharmacists according to doctor’s order Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs Available without a prescription Medication Names

8. Routes of Administration (1 of 3) • Intravenous (IV) injection • Injected directly into the vein • Oral • Taken by mouth; enters body through digestive system • Sublingual • Placed under the tongue; absorbed by mucous membranes

9. Routes of Administration (2 of 3) • Intramuscular (IM) injection • Injection into the muscle • Intraosseous (IO) • Injection into the bone marrow • Subcutaneous (SC) injection • Injection into tissue between skin and muscle

10. Routes of Administration (3 of 3) • Transcutaneous • Medications absorbed through the skin • Inhalation • Medications inhaled into the lungs • Per rectum (PR) • Administration by rectum

11. Tablets Materials mixed with medication and compressed under pressure Capsules Gelatin shells filled with powdered or liquid medication Dosage Forms (1 of 4)

12. Dosage Forms (2 of 4) • Solutions • Liquid mixture of one or more substances • Suspensions • Mixture of fine particles distributed throughout a liquid by shaking

13. Dosage Forms (3 of 4) • Metered-dose inhaler • Miniature spray canister, used to direct medication through the mouth into the lungs • Topical medications • Lotions, creams, and ointments applied to skin

14. Dosage Forms (4 of 4) • Transcutaneous medications • Designed to be absorbed through the skin • Gels • Semi-liquid substances administered orally • Gases for inhalation • Oxygen

15. Medications Carried onEMS Unit

16. Oxygen • Required by all cells of the body • Administered as a gas for inhalation • Ignites easily, requiring caution near sources of ignition

17. Activated Charcoal • Suspension used to absorb ingested poisons • Often combined with a laxative • Administered orally as a suspension

18. Oral Glucose • Glucose is used by cells for energy. • Patients with low blood glucose are hypoglycemic. • It is administered orally as a gel.

19. Aspirin • Reduces pain • Reduces fever • Reduces inflammation • Cardiac uses

20. Assisted-Administration Medications

21. Epinephrine • Increases heart rate and blood pressure and decreases muscle tone of bronchi • Eases breathing problems in asthma or allergic reactions • May be delivered by MDI, SC, or IM

22. Administering Epinephrineby Injection • Sterilize skin. • Insert needle and draw plunger back. • Inject medication. • Dispose of needle.

23. Metered-Dose Inhaler • Medication should be delivered as the patient is inhaling. • Device may include spacer.

24. Nitroglycerin • Increases blood flow by relieving spasms and causing arteries to dilate • May decrease blood pressure • Available in tablet or spray

25. General Steps to Administer Medications (1 of 2) • Obtain orders from medical control. • Verify proper medication and prescription. • Verify form, dose, and route of the medication. • Check expiration date and condition of the medication.

26. General Steps to Administer Medications (2 of 2) • Reassess vital signs, especially heart rate and blood pressure, at least every 5 minutes or as the patient’s condition changes. • Document

27. Patient Medications • Clue you in to patient conditions • Especially helpful when patient has altered mental status • Include over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements