PHARMOCOLOGY VOCABULARY
MEDICATIONS THAT CAN BE GIVEN BY EMTS
MEDICATION ACTION INDICATION CONTRAINDICATION
Epinephrine (Epi-Pen) Anaphylactic reaction
Naloxone (Narcan) opioid poisoning hypersensitivity
dilates blood vessels
Oral Glucose (Glutose) hypoglycemia
Oxygen reverses hypoxia
Action - therapeutic effect of a medication on the body
Agonist - medication that causes stimulation of receptors
Antagonist - medication that binds to receptor and blocks other medications
Contraindications - conditions that make a medication inappropriate
Dose - amount of medication given on the basis of patients size and age
Indication - reason or conditions for which a medication is given
Pharmacodynamics - process by which a medication works in the body
Onset of action - time from medication administration until clinical effects
occur
Duration - length of time that clinical effects persist
Elimination - how medications or chemicals are removed from body
Peak - point when maxiimum clinical effect is achieved
Aspirin - acetylsalicylic acid
(bayer)
anti-inflammatory agent
and anti-fever; prevents
platelets from clumping,
decreasing formations of
new clots
relief of mild pain,
headache, muscle ache,
fever, chest pain of
cardiac origin
hypersensitivity, recent
bleeding, liver damage,
asthma - Not given to
children
Ipratropium (atrovent),
Albuterol (proventl,
ventolin)
stimulates nervous
system, causing
bronchodilation
Asthma, dyspnea,
breathing with wheezing
hypersensitivity,
tachycarda, chest pain of
cardiac origin
stimulates nervous
system, causing
bronchodilation
Chest pain of cardiac
origin, hypothermia,
hypertension
reverses respiration
depression seconadry to
opioid overdose
Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat,
Nitromist)
chest pain of cardiac
origin
hypotension (systolic less
than 100), use of ED tx
within previous 24 hours,
head injury
provides glucose for cell
use
decreased LOC, nausea,
vomiting,
hypoxia or suspected
hypoxia
Rarely use for pt with
COPD
CPAP (Continous Positive
Airway Pressure)
increases pressure in
lungs, opens collapsed
alveoli and prevents
further collapse
severe respiratory
distress (accessory
muscle, tripod,
retractions from COPD,
pulmonary edema),
Sp02 less than 90%, alert
and able to follow
commands
respiratory arrest,
hypoventilation,
unresponsive,
hypotensive, unable to
follow commands or
speak, tracheostomy,
N/V, facial trauma,
cardiogenic shock, pt
cannot sit upright
