COPR COPR - Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators Examination Pharmacology and Medication Administration Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A paramedic administers epinephrine 1:1000 IM for anaphylaxis. What is the standard adult dose?
- 0.1 mg
- 0.3 mg (Correct answer)
- 0.5 mg
- 1.0 mg
Correct answer: 0.3 mg
The standard adult IM dose of epinephrine 1:1000 for anaphylaxis is 0.3 mg (0.3 mL) in the anterolateral thigh.
Question 2: Which pharmacological mechanism describes nitroglycerin's primary action in chest pain management?
- Beta-receptor blockade
- Venodilation reducing cardiac preload (Correct answer)
- Arterial constriction increasing afterload
- Sodium channel inhibition
Correct answer: Venodilation reducing cardiac preload
Nitroglycerin primarily acts as a venodilator, reducing venous return and cardiac preload, thereby decreasing myocardial oxygen demand.
Question 3: When administering adenosine for SVT, what is the correct initial adult IV dose?
- 3 mg rapid IV push
- 6 mg rapid IV push (Correct answer)
- 12 mg rapid IV push
- 18 mg rapid IV push
Correct answer: 6 mg rapid IV push
The initial adult dose of adenosine for SVT is 6 mg administered as a rapid IV push, followed immediately by a 20 mL saline flush.
Question 4: A patient with suspected opioid overdose is unresponsive with a respiratory rate of 4/min. Which drug should be administered?
- Flumazenil
- Naloxone (Correct answer)
- Diazepam
- Atropine
Correct answer: Naloxone
Naloxone (Narcan) is the opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Question 5: Which route of medication administration provides the fastest onset of action?
- Intramuscular
- Subcutaneous
- Intravenous (Correct answer)
- Sublingual
Correct answer: Intravenous
Intravenous administration delivers drugs directly into the bloodstream, providing the fastest onset of action compared to all other routes.
Question 6: Aspirin is given to a patient with suspected STEMI primarily because it:
- Reduces fever associated with MI
- Inhibits platelet aggregation to reduce clot formation (Correct answer)
- Dilates coronary arteries directly
- Increases cardiac output
Correct answer: Inhibits platelet aggregation to reduce clot formation
Aspirin irreversibly inhibits COX-1, blocking thromboxane A2-mediated platelet aggregation to help prevent further thrombus growth in STEMI.
COPR COPR - Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators Examination Pharmacology and Medication Administration Questions and Answers 1
A paramedic administers epinephrine 1:1000 IM for anaphylaxis.
What is the standard adult dose?