COPR COPR - Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators Examination Pharmacology and Medication Administration Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A paramedic is treating a patient in wide-complex tachycardia who is hemodynamically stable. Which drug is typically considered first-line?

Accepted Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Amiodarone is a first-line antiarrhythmic for stable wide-complex tachycardia due to its efficacy across multiple arrhythmia types.

Question 2

What does the term 'therapeutic index' refer to in pharmacology?

Accepted Answer

The ratio between toxic and therapeutic doses

Answer

The therapeutic index is the ratio between the toxic dose and the effective therapeutic dose, indicating a drug's safety margin.

Question 3

Which medication is used to treat symptomatic bradycardia in the prehospital setting?

Accepted Answer

Atropine

Answer

Atropine is the first-line drug for symptomatic bradycardia as it blocks vagal tone and increases heart rate via muscarinic receptor antagonism.

Question 4

When calculating a pediatric medication dose, which formula is commonly used as a quick weight estimate for children 1–10 years?

Accepted Answer

Weight (kg) = (age × 2) + 8

Answer

The Broselow tape or the formula Weight (kg) = (age × 2) + 8 is commonly used as a quick pediatric weight estimate for dosing calculations.

Question 5

A patient receiving a morphine infusion begins to show signs of respiratory depression. The FIRST action should be:

Accepted Answer

Stop the infusion and administer naloxone

Answer

Stopping the infusion and administering naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and is the immediate priority.

COPR - Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators Examination Practice Test