Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Principles of Pharmacology drug2, : - Coggle Diagram
Principles of Pharmacology 
Six Rights of Safe Medication Administration
-
Forms of Medication
The form of medication usually dictates the route
Tablets and Capsules
Gel Powder or Liquid
Sublingual or swallowed
Example: Sublingual nitroglycerine tablet used to treat chest pain in patients with cardiac conditions
Solutions and Suspensions
A solution is a mixture of more than one substance that cannot be separated by filtering
A suspension can be ground into fine particles and evenly distributed
Example: EpiPen auto-injector for anaphylactic reactions
Metered-Dose Inhalers
Liquids or solids are broken into small droplets or particles and can be inhaled
Example: Albuterol asthma inhaler
Topical Medications
Lotions, creams, and ointments
They are applied to the surface of the skin and only affect that area.
Example: hydrocortisone to diminish skin itching
Transcutaneous Medications
Transdermal medications are designed to be absorbed through the skin or transcutaneous. Usually intended for systemic effects
Example: Nitroglycerine paste
Help dilate blood vessels in the skin to speed absorption into the blood
Gels
A semiliquid substance that is administered orally in capsule form or through plastic tubes
Gels usually have the consistencies of pastes or creams but are transparent
Example: Oral glucose in gel form for patients with diabetes
Gases for Inhalation
Gaseous medications are neither solid or liquid
Most common medication used in gas form is oxygen
Example: oxygen delivered through non rebreathing mask, nasal canula, or bag-valve mask
Routes of Administration
Parenteral MedicationsIntravenousIntraosseousInhalationIntranasalIntramuscularSubcutaneousTranscutaneous
Enteral MedicationsSublingualRectumBy Mouth
EMT Scope of Pharmaceutical InterventionAdministering medication must be within protocol parameters and in accordance with standing orders
State department and medical director will ultimately define what medications are carried on an ambulance
2009 National EMS Educational Standards recognize that some regions of the country may need their EMTs involved in the administration of additional medications
The following medications are common for EMTs to administer: Oxygen, oral glucose, activated charcoal, aspirin, and epinephrine
EMTs should always:
Take standard precautions
Confirm the medication is not expired
Obtain medical direction per local protocol
Confirm the patient has a patent airway
Monitor the patient and document!
Common Medications
Activated charcoal
Action: Adsorbs toxic substances in the digestive tract
Indications: Most oral poisonings; overdose
Contraindications: Decreased level of consciousness; overdose of corrosives, caustics, or petroleum substances
Aspirin
Action: Anti-inflammatory agent and anti-fever agent; prevents platelets from clumping, thereby decreasing formation of new clots
Indications: Relief of mild pain, headache, muscle aches; chest pain of cardiac origin
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity; recent bleeding
Metered-dosed inhalers (Albuterol)
Action: Stimulates nervous system, causing bronchodilation
Indications: Asthma / difficulty breathing with wheezing
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity; tachycardia (relative); chest pain of cardiac origin
Epinephrine (EpiPen)
Action: Stimulates nervous system, causing bronchodilation
Indications: Anaphylactic reaction
Contraindications: Chest pain of cardia origin; hypothermia; hypertension
Naloxone (Narcan, EVZIO auto-injector)
Action: Reverse respiratory depression secondary to opioid overdose
Indications: Opioid poisonings
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity
Nitroglycerine
Action: Dilated blood vessels
Indications: Chest pain of cardiac origin
Contraindications: Hypotension; use of sildenafil (Viagra) or another treatment for erectile dysfunction within the previous 24 hours; head injury
Oral Glucose
Action: When absorbed, provides glucose for cell use
Indications: Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia)
Contraindications: Decreased level of consciousness; nausea; vomiting
Oxygen
Action: Reverses hypoxia; provides oxygen to be absorbed by lungs
Indications: Hypoxia or suspected hypoxia
Contraindications: Very rarely used with patients with COPD; do not use near open flames, as oxygen will support combustion
-