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
An EMT assists a patient with their prescribed nitroglycerin. After one dose, the patient's blood pressure drops from 130/80 to 96/64 mmHg and they feel dizzy. The next step is:
Answer: Lay the patient flat, withhold further nitroglycerin, and contact medical direction
Hypotension after nitroglycerin is a known adverse effect. The patient should be positioned supine, further nitroglycerin withheld, and medical direction contacted. IV fluid may be appropriate if within scope.
A patient presents with suspected opioid overdose: unconscious, respiratory rate of 4/min, and pinpoint pupils. The appropriate initial treatment is:
Answer: Open the airway and support ventilations first; then administer naloxone per protocol
Airway management and ventilatory support take priority even in opioid overdose. A respiratory rate of 4/min is inadequate; BVM ventilation should begin immediately. Naloxone reverses respiratory depression but takes 2-5 minutes to act.
Which of the following medications would an EMT-Basic be expected to assist a patient in taking?
Answer: A patient's own prescribed albuterol inhaler for respiratory distress
EMT-Basic scope of practice includes assisting patients with their own prescribed inhalers (albuterol) for respiratory distress. The other medications listed are outside EMT-B scope and require paramedic or physician-level certification.
What is the correct aspirin dose and indication for EMT-B administration in the prehospital setting?
Answer: 324-325 mg chewed for suspected acute coronary syndrome in adults without contraindications
EMTs may administer 324-325 mg (typically one adult aspirin or four baby aspirin) chewed for suspected ACS in adult patients without contraindications. Chewing ensures faster absorption than swallowing whole.
When administering oral glucose to a hypoglycemic patient, the EMT must ensure the patient:
Answer: Is alert enough to swallow safely and protect their airway
Oral glucose should only be given to patients who are alert enough to swallow and protect their airway. Administering it to a patient who cannot swallow or is unconscious risks aspiration pneumonia.
A patient in anaphylactic shock has been given epinephrine via auto-injector. After 5 minutes, symptoms are improving but not fully resolved. What is the most appropriate next step?
Answer: Administer a second dose of epinephrine per protocol if symptoms are not fully resolved
A second dose of epinephrine may be necessary if symptoms of anaphylaxis are not fully controlled after the first dose and the patient continues to deteriorate or fail to improve. Most protocols allow a second dose after 5-15 minutes.