Pharmacology & Medication Administration Flashcards
6 cards from real NREMT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Pharmacology & Medication Administration flashcards as text
A patient is experiencing an allergic reaction with urticaria (hives) and mild wheezing but has a blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg and is alert. Per protocol, which medication would be MOST appropriate?
Answer: Epinephrine 1:1,000 IM
Anaphylaxis with any systemic symptoms (wheezing) should be treated with epinephrine 1:1,000 IM as the first-line treatment, even if blood pressure is currently maintained. Antihistamines are adjuncts, not primary therapy.
A patient with chest pain is prescribed nitroglycerin but states his blood pressure is 'usually low.' The EMT checks the blood pressure and finds it is 88/60 mmHg. What should the EMT do?
Answer: Withhold nitroglycerin because the blood pressure is below the safe threshold
Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation and reduces preload. Administering it to a hypotensive patient (systolic BP below 90 mmHg) can cause severe hypotension, cardiovascular collapse, and death. It is absolutely contraindicated.
Activated charcoal is indicated for which of the following ingestion scenarios?
Answer: A patient who ingested acetaminophen (Tylenol) 45 minutes ago and is alert and able to swallow
Activated charcoal works by adsorbing the toxin in the GI tract. It is most effective when given within 1 hour of ingestion. An alert patient who can protect their airway and ingested a charcoal-responsive substance (like acetaminophen) is the appropriate candidate.
A patient uses an albuterol inhaler and requests assistance. What does albuterol do in the body?
Answer: Dilates bronchioles by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle (beta-2 agonism)
Albuterol is a selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, causing bronchodilation. This reverses bronchospasm and reduces airway resistance in asthma and COPD.
Which of the following is the correct route and location for epinephrine auto-injector administration?
Answer: Intramuscular injection into the anterolateral thigh
Epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) are designed for intramuscular injection into the anterolateral thigh (outer mid-thigh), which provides the fastest absorption. They can be administered through clothing.
A patient with known COPD is in severe respiratory distress. The MOST appropriate oxygen delivery device and flow rate is:
Answer: Titrate oxygen to maintain SpO2 of 88-92%, using the appropriate device for the required flow rate
Modern guidelines recommend titrating oxygen in COPD to maintain SpO2 88-92%. Excessive oxygen can cause adverse outcomes (V/Q mismatch, Haldane effect), while too little is also dangerous. Match the delivery device to the required flow rate.