GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
EMT’s Can Administer or Assist With Certain Medications For Specific Conditions. Be Prepared For an Untoward Reaction.
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
OVERVIEW
- Which Medications Are On the Ambulance That the EMT can Administer
- Which Medications an EMT Can Assist a Patient in Self Administration
- What to Consider When Administering Any Medication
- Role of Medical Direction in Medication Administration
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
DEFINITION
- Pharmacology - The Study of Drugs - Their Sources, Characteristics, and Effects.
- Medications & Drugs are Interchangeable
- "Drugs" Are Perceived as Illegal, Use "Medication" When Dealing With the Public
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
- EMS Carried Meds
- Activated Charcoal
- Poisoning / OD
- Oral Glucose
- Diabetic Emergency
- Oxygen
Assisting With Patient Medications
- Prescribed Rescue Inhaler
- Albuterol
- Respiratory Emergencies
- Nitroglycerin
- Cardiac Emergencies
- Tablet or Spray
- Sublingual
- Epi-Pen
- Allergic Reactions
- Epinephrine
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
- Patient Medications That the EMT Can Assist
- Must Be Prescribed By MD
- Must Be The Patient’s
- Must Be In the Possession of the Patient
- Must Be Ordered By Medical Command
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
- Right Patient ?
- Right Medication ?
- Right Dose ?
- Right Route ?
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
Medication Names
- Generic Name
- Listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia
- Gov’t Publication Listing All Meds In U.S.
- Chemical Name
- Before It Is Listed
- Trade Name
- Brand Name Made By Manufacturer
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
Generic Name
- Acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen
- Diphenhydramine
- Pseudoephedrine
- Albuterol
Trade Name
- Tylenol
- Motrin
- Benadryl
- Sudafed
- Proventil
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
Forms of
Medications
Used by the
EMT-B
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
- Indication
- Situation Were a Medications Use Has Benefits
- Contraindication
- Situation Were a Drug Should Not Be Used
- May Cause Harm
- May Not Have Any Effect
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
- Dose - Amount to Be Given
- Administration Route - How Med is Given
- Inhaled, Sublingual, Oral, Subcutaneous
- Action - Desired Effect on Patient or System
- Side Effects - Actions Other Than What is Desired - Some May Be Predictable
REASSESSMENT STRATEGY
- On-Going Patient Assessment
- Reassess Vital Signs After Each Dosage
- Document Any Response
- Better, Worse, Same