Paramedics Exam Pharmacology and Medication Administration 4

Question 1

A patient receiving heparin develops sudden thrombocytopenia and new clots. Which complication has occurred?

Accepted Answer

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)

Answer

HIT is an immune-mediated reaction to heparin causing platelet activation, paradoxically leading to thrombosis despite low platelet counts.

Question 2

What is the preferred route for epinephrine administration during cardiac arrest per current AHA guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous or intraosseous

Answer

IV or IO are the preferred routes for epinephrine during cardiac arrest; the ET route is no longer recommended as a primary route.

Question 3

Amiodarone is used in refractory VF/pVT. What is the initial IV/IO bolus dose in adults?

Accepted Answer

300 mg

Answer

The initial dose of amiodarone for refractory VF/pVT is 300 mg IV/IO bolus per ACLS guidelines.

Question 4

A patient with a known penicillin allergy is prescribed a cephalosporin. The paramedic should be aware of:

Accepted Answer

A 1–2% cross-reactivity risk due to similar beta-lactam ring structure

Answer

There is a small (1–2%) cross-reactivity risk between penicillins and cephalosporins due to their shared beta-lactam structure.

Question 5

Which sympathomimetic drug has dose-dependent effects: renal vasodilation at low doses, beta-1 stimulation at moderate doses, and alpha-1 vasoconstriction at high doses?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Dopamine exhibits dose-dependent receptor activity: dopaminergic at 2–5 mcg/kg/min, beta-1 at 5–10, and alpha-1 dominant above 10 mcg/kg/min.

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Pharmacology and Medication Administration 4