Pharmacology
Routes of Administration
Nine rights of medication
Medication Forms
The science of drugs, including their ingredients, preparation, uses, and actions on the body.
Right Time
Right Education
Right Route
Right to Refuse
Right Dose
Right Response and Evaluation
Right Medication and Indication
Right Documentation
Right Patient
This right is self-evident. The medication must be administered to the patient for whom it is prescribed. Patient identity must be confirmed using a minimum of two facility approved identifiers.
Administration of the correct drug. This requires careful review of the medication because many medications have similar names.
Ensuring that the prescribed dose is accurately transcribed and administered.
Administration of medication using the prescribed route.
Check the expiration date and condition of the medication.
Inform the patient of the medication you intend to administer.
Patients with decision-making capacity can decline or refuse proposed intervention or medication.
Monitor the patient's vital signs, mental status, signs of perfusion, and respiratory effort after medication administration
The work is not done until the paperwork is done.
topical medications
Transcutaneous Medications
metered-dose inhaler
gels
solutions and suspensions
gaseous medications
tablets and capsules
a liquid mixture that cannot be separated by filtering for allowing the mixture to stand
a mixture of ground particles that are distributed evenly throughout a liquid but do not dissolve
a miniature spray canister through which droplets or particles of medication may be inhaled through the mouth and into the lungs
a medication delivery route by lotions, cream, and ointments that are applied to the surface of the skin and affect only that area
Capsules are gelatin shells filled with powdered or liquid. Tablets are designed to be dissolved in small amounts of liquid.
a medication delivery route by through the skin, or transcutaneous.
a semiliquid substance that is administered orally in capsule form or through plastic tubes
Neither solid or liquid
Pharmacodynamics
The process by which a medication works on the body.
Enteral
Parenteral
Per Rectum (PR)
By Mouth (PO)
Sublingual (SL)
Intravenous (IV)
Intraosseous (IO)
Inhalation
Intranasal (IN)
Intramuscular (IM)
Subcutaneous
Transcutaneous
a medication delivery route through the rectum; commonly used with children for nausea and vomiting
a medication delivery route taken by mouth and enter the bloodstream through the digestive system; takes 1 hour, non invasive, with unpredictable medication absorption
medications that enter the body through the digestive system, usually in a pill or liquid form, tends to absorb slowly
medications that enter the body by a route other than the digestive track, skin, or mucous membranes; in liquid form and administered using syringes and needles, absorbs more quickly and offer a more predictable response
situated or administered under the tongue
a medication delivery route by injection directly into a vein
a medication delivery route into the bone; reaches the bloodstream through the bone marrow, requires drilling a needle into the outer layer of the bone
a medical delivery route by injection into the tissue between the skin and muscle; absorbed slowly, but effects last longer
a medication delivery route by injection into a muscle; absorbed quickly
a medication that is inhaled into the lungs so that they can be absorbed into the blood stream more quickly.
a medication administered by way of the nasal structures.
a medication delivered through the skin,
EMT's scope of pharmacological intervention
Circumstances to administer
Medication overview
Patient-assisted
EMT-administered
Peer-assisted
when the EMT administers medication to themselves or to a partner
when the EMT assist the patient with the administration of their own medication
when the EMT directly administers the medication to the patient
Generic/Trade
Anti-inflammatory agent and antifever agent; prevents platelets from clumping ,thereby decreasing formation of new clots
Aspirin (Bayer)
Ipratropium (Atrovent)
Epinephrine (EpiPen)
Naloxone (Narcan, EVZIO auto-injector)
Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitromist)
Oral glucose (Glutose)
Oxygen
Common over-the-counter medications
Medication allowed to administer or assist in administering
Action
Indication
Contraindication
Routes
Adverse effects
Interactions
Adult Dose
Administration Concern
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Relief of mild pain, headache, muscle aches, fever; chest pain of cardiac origin
Hypersensitivity; recent bleeding
PO
Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bleeding, allergic reaction
Caution should be used in patients who are taking anticoagulants
160 to 325 mg; 160 to 325 mg chewable tablets for chest pain
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Do not administer for pain caused by trauma or for fevers in children; patients with chest pain must be able to chew tablets
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin Nuprin)
Common fast acting MDI medications (albuterol [Proventil, Ventolin])
Stimulates nervous system, causing bronchodilation
Asthma/difficulty breathing with wheezing
Inhalation
Hypersensitivity; tachycardia (relative); chest pain of cardiac origin
Hypertension, tachycardia, anxiety, restlessness
increase effects of other nervous system stimulants
1 to 2 inhalations wait 5 minutes before repeating dose
Stimulates nervous system, causing bronchodilation
Anaphylactic reaction
chest pain of cardiac origin; hypothermia; hypertension
IM
hypertension, tachycardia, anxiety, restlessness
increase effects of other nervous system simulants
0.3 mg for adults; 0.15 for children
medication will last approximately 5 minutes; do not repeat dose; ensure ALS is en route for continuing treatment
Reverses respiratory depression secondary to opioid overdose
opioid poisoning
Hypersensitivity
IM, IN
Nausea, vomiting
additional doses may be required for severe opioid overdoses
2 mg IN or IM auto-injector
Patient may wake up combative
Dilates blood vessels
chest pain of cardiac origin
hypotension; use of sildenafil (Viagra) or another treatment for erectile dysfunction within the previous 24 hours; head injury
SL tablet or spray
Headache, burning under tongue, hypotension, nausea
increases dilating effects of other blood vessel-dilating medication
0.3 mg to 0.4 mg SL; 0.4 mg spray
Ensure ALS is en route
when absorbed, provides glucose for cell use
low blood glucose (hypoglycemia)
decrease level of consciousness; nausea; vomiting
PO
Nausea, vomiting
none
1/2 to 1 tube
patient must be awake, have control of airway, and be able to follow commands
Reverses hypoxia; provides oxygen to be absorbed by lungs
Hypoxia or suspected hypoxia
very rarely used in patients with COPD; do not use near flames, as oxygen will support combustion
inhalation
Decreased respiratory efforts in rare cases in patients with COPD
can support combustion
use oxygen delivery devices to administer 28% to 100% oxygen
no open flames nearby; do not withhold oxygen from patients in respiratory distress
NSAID that reduces inflammation and fever; analgesic
Analgesic and fever reducer
Relief of mild pain and fever, headache, muscle aches
Hypersensitivity
PO
Allergic reaction
Take caution to avoid potential overdosing; many OTC medications contain acetaminophen
500 to 1,000 mg every 4 hours as needed; dose is weight-based for children
weight of child is more important than age
Antihistamine (blocks histamine)
mild allergic reactions
asthma; glaucoma; pregnancy; hypertension; infants
PO
Sleepiness (although can stimulate children), dry mouth and throat
Do not take with alcohol or MAO inhibitors ( a type of psychiatric medication
25 to 50 mg
can use in severe allergic reaction; however, epinephrine is administered first
mild pain or fever, headache, muscle aches
Hypersensitivity
PO
Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bleeding, allergic reaction
Do not take with aspirin
200 to 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours; dose is weighted based in children
Do not take for pain caused by trauma; weight of child is more important than age
Pharmacokinetic
The process that the body performs on a medication.
Duration
Elimination
Onset of action
Peak
Time from medication administration until clinical effect.
Length of time that clinical effects persist
How medication or chemicals are removed from the body
The point or period when the maximum clinical effect is achieved
Agonist
Antagonist
A medication that causes simulation of receptors
A medication that binds to receptors and blocks other medication