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Pharmacology - Coggle Diagram
Pharmacology
Six Rights
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Right Medication
verify the proper med and the label on instructions to administer it. Have partner double check you, if in doubt call medical control
Right Dose
Very form and dose, read label to make sure you give right amount and have partner double check you
Right Route
Make sure the route matches the order you received. You may not substitute one for route for another without approval
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Right Documentation
If you don't write it down, it didn't happen!! Document medication, dose, route, Pt's response, any and every bit of information.
Medications Used By EMTs
Oral
Activated Charcoal, oral glucose, Aspirin.
Sublingual
Nitroglycerin used either in a tablet form under the tongue or as a spray under the tongue
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Medications
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Generic name
Simple, clear nonproprietary name and it is not capitalized
Trade name
The brand name that the manufacturer gives to the medication, begins with a capital letter
Forms of Medications
Tablets and Capsules
Most common oral medication given to adults. A capsule is a gelatin shell filled with liquid or a powder medication. Tablets the medication is compressed under high pressure and usually contain other materials mixed with the medication. Tablets are made to dissolve quickly with liquid so they can be given sublingually and absorbed rapidly.
Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDI)
If liquids and solids are broken into small enough droplets or particles they can be inhaled. An MDI is a small spray canister used to direct substances through the mouth into the lungs. It delivers the same amount of medication every time it is used , and is often used in Pt's with respiratory illness such as asthma or emphysema .They must be shaken vigorously before they are administered.
Gels
A semi- liquid substance that is administered orally in a capsule or through plastic tubes. They are usually clear, thick and sticky like gelatin. Depending on local medical directives an EMT may be able to give oral glucose in a gel form to a Pt. with diabetes
Solutions and Suspensions
A solution is one or more substances that cannot be separated by filtering or .allowing the mixture to stand. They can be given by almost any route. Substances that do not dissolve well in liquid are called Suspensions, an example of this is activated charcoal. It is very important to shake or stir a suspension before giving it to make sure it is mixed thoroughly.
Topical Medications
Lotions, creams and ointments that are applied to the surface of the skin and only affect that area. Lotions absorb the most rapidly and ointments absorb the slowest. Some examples are Calamine Lotion, Neosporin ointment and Hydrocortisone cream
Transcutaneous Medications
(transdermal) absorbed through the skin. These can be in a patch form such as with Nicotine when people are trying to stop smoking, it can also be a paste as in Nitroglycerin paste. It is meant to be absorbed into the bloodstream and are systemic ( whole-body)
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Patient Medications
Part of your Pt. assessment is to find out what medications your Pt. is taking, this can help to provide vital clues to chronic or underlying illnesses they may have. Make sure to ask about all medications, S.H.O.P. (street, herbal, OTC, Prescribed)
Medication Errors
They are common. It is an inappropriate use of medication that could lead to patient harm. If it occurs, first rapidly provide any Pt. care that is required, then notify Medical Control asap, third follow local protocols and Document the incident!