10: General Pharmacology
Cognitive Objectives
4-1.1 Identify which medications will be carried on
the unit.
4-1.2 State the medications carried on the unit by the
generic name.
4-1.3 Identify the medications with which the EMT-B
may assist the patient with administering.
4-1.4 State the medications the EMT-B can assist
the patient with by the generic name.
4-1.5 Discuss the forms in which medications may be
found.
Objectives
Affective
4-1.6 Explain the rationale for administration of
medications.
Psychomotor
4-1.7 Demonstrate general steps for assisting the
patient with self-administration of medications.
4-1.8 Read the labels and inspect each type of
medication.
General Pharmacology
• You will be responsible for administering certain
drugs.
• You will be responsible for assisting patients to
self-administer other drugs.
• Not understanding how medications work places
you and the patient in danger.
Pharmacology Definitions (1 of 2)
• Pharmacology
– The science of drugs, including their ingredients,
preparation, uses and actions on the body
• Dose
– Amount of medication given
• Action
– Therapeutic effects expected on the body
Pharmacology Definitions (2 of 2)
• Indications
– Therapeutic uses for a particular drug
• Contraindications
– Conditions in which a medication should not
be given
• Side effects
– Actions of a drug other than the desired ones
Medication Names
• Trade name • Prescription drugs
– Brand name – Given by
given by pharmacists
manufacturer according to doctor’s
• Generic name order
– Original chemical • Over-the-counter
name (OTC) drugs
– Available without a
prescription
Routes of Administration (1 of 3)
• Intravenous (IV) injection
– Injected directly into the vein
• Oral
– Taken by mouth; enters body through digestive
system
• Sublingual
– Placed under the tongue; absorbed by mucous
membranes
Routes of Administration (2 of 3)
• Intramuscular (IM) injection
– Injection into the muscle
• Intraosseous (IO)
– Injection into the bone marrow
• Subcutaneous (SC) injection
– Injection into tissue between skin and
muscle
Routes of Administration (3 of 3)
• Transcutaneous
– Medications absorbed through the skin
• Inhalation
– Medications inhaled into the lungs
• Per rectum (PR)
– Administration by rectum
Dosage Forms (1 of 4)
• Tablets
– Materials mixed with
medication and
compressed under
pressure
• Capsules
– Gelatin shells filled with
powdered or liquid
medication
Dosage Forms (2 of 4)
• Solutions
– Liquid mixture of one or more substances
• Suspensions
– Mixture of fine particles distributed
throughout a liquid by shaking
Dosage Forms (3 of 4)
• Metered-dose inhaler
– Miniature spray
canister, used to
direct medication
through the mouth into
the lungs
• Topical medications
– Lotions, creams, and
ointments applied to
skin
Dosage Forms (4 of 4)
• Transcutaneous medications
– Designed to be absorbed
through the skin
• Gels
– Semi-liquid substances
administered orally
• Gases for inhalation
– Oxygen
Medications Carried on
EMS Unit
Oxygen
• Required by all cells of the body
• Administered as a gas for inhalation
• Ignites easily, requiring caution near
sources of ignition
Activated Charcoal
• Suspension used to absorb
ingested poisons
• Often combined with a laxative
• Administered orally as a
suspension
Oral Glucose
• Glucose is used by cells for
energy.
• Patients with low blood
glucose are hypoglycemic.
• It is administered orally as a
gel.
Aspirin
• Reduces pain
• Reduces fever
• Reduces inflammation
• Cardiac uses
Assisted-Administration Medications
Epinephrine
• Increases heart rate and blood pressure and
decreases muscle tone of bronchi
• Eases breathing problems in asthma or allergic
reactions
• May be delivered by MDI, SC, or IM
Administering Epinephrine
by Injection
• Sterilize skin.
• Insert needle and draw
plunger back.
• Inject medication.
• Dispose of needle.
Metered-Dose Inhaler
• Medication should be
delivered as the patient
is inhaling.
• Device may include
spacer.
Nitroglycerin
• Increases blood flow by relieving spasms and
causing arteries to dilate
• May decrease blood pressure
• Available in tablet or spray
General Steps to
Administer Medications (1 of 2)
• Obtain orders from medical control.
• Verify proper medication and prescription.
• Verify form, dose, and route of the medication.
• Check expiration date and condition of the
medication.
General Steps to
Administer Medications (2 of 2)
• Reassess vital signs, especially heart rate and
blood pressure, at least every 5 minutes or as
the patient’s condition changes.
• Document
Patient Medications
• Clue you in to patient conditions
• Especially helpful when patient
has altered mental status
• Include over-the-counter
medications and dietary
supplements