Pharmacology & Drug Administration Flashcards
7 cards from real EMS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pharmacology & Drug Administration flashcards as text
Oral glucose (Glutose) is indicated for hypoglycemia only when the patient:
Answer: Is conscious and can protect their own airway
Oral glucose is only safe when the patient is conscious and alert enough to swallow without risk of aspiration.
Sodium bicarbonate is administered in cardiac arrest PRIMARILY to treat:
Answer: Hyperkalemia-induced arrhythmia or severe metabolic acidosis when indicated
Sodium bicarbonate is used in cardiac arrest for severe metabolic acidosis or hyperkalemia-induced arrhythmia per ALS protocol.
A patient on beta-blockers develops severe bradycardia unresponsive to atropine. Which drug may be considered next per advanced protocol?
Answer: Calcium chloride or glucagon
Calcium chloride (stabilizes the myocardium) and glucagon (bypasses the beta receptor) are antidotes considered for beta-blocker toxicity causing bradycardia.
The intraosseous (IO) route of drug administration is considered equivalent to which route?
Answer: Intravenous
The IO route accesses the medullary cavity's non-collapsible venous sinusoids, providing drug delivery equivalent to the IV route.
What is the primary reason epinephrine 1:10,000 is used for IV cardiac arrest dosing instead of 1:1,000?
Answer: The 1:1,000 concentration would deliver an excessively high dose IV and risk toxicity
The 1:10,000 concentration is ten times more dilute, delivering 0.1 mg/mL IV safely; using 1:1,000 would give ten times the intended dose.
Which of the following is a sign of lidocaine toxicity in a patient receiving an IV infusion?
Answer: Perioral numbness, confusion, and seizures
Lidocaine toxicity presents with CNS signs including perioral numbness, metallic taste, confusion, and — at high levels — seizures.
When documenting drug administration on a patient care report (PCR), which information is LEAST critical?
Answer: The medication's lot number and expiration date
While expiration dates are verified before use, lot numbers are not routinely required on the PCR; the other three elements are essential documentation.