Pharmacology & Drug Administration Flashcards

Which route of drug administration provides the FASTEST onset of action in EMS?

Answer: Intravenous (IV)

Intravenous administration delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream, providing the fastest onset of action.

A patient on warfarin presents with uncontrolled bleeding. Which reversal agent is most appropriate for EMS to consider?

Answer: Tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid (TXA) inhibits fibrinolysis and is used in EMS for hemorrhage control, while definitive warfarin reversal agents are hospital-based.

What is the correct pediatric dose of epinephrine 1:10,000 for cardiac arrest via IV/IO?

Answer: 0.01 mg/kg

The pediatric cardiac arrest dose of epinephrine is 0.01 mg/kg of the 1:10,000 concentration IV/IO.

Glucagon is indicated for hypoglycemia when IV access CANNOT be established because it:

Answer: Can be given intranasally or IM to stimulate hepatic glycogenolysis

Glucagon can be given IM or intranasally and stimulates the liver to convert glycogen to glucose, making it useful when IV access is unavailable.

Which adverse effect is MOST associated with rapid IV administration of diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?

Answer: Sedation and hypotension

Rapid IV diphenhydramine can cause significant sedation and hypotension due to its anticholinergic and antihistamine effects.

A patient experiencing a hypertensive emergency with signs of end-organ damage requires which EMS pharmacologic intervention?

Answer: Sublingual nitroglycerin or IV labetalol per protocol

For hypertensive emergency with end-organ damage, sublingual nitroglycerin or IV labetalol per local protocol provides controlled blood pressure reduction.

The '6 Rights' of medication administration include all of the following EXCEPT:

Answer: Right manufacturer

The 6 Rights are patient, drug, dose, route, time, and documentation — the manufacturer is not one of them.