GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY

1. GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY Temple College EMS Professions ECA

2. Terminology • Indications • The reasons for administering a medication or performing a treatment (e.g., Chest Pain) • Contraindications • A factor that prevents the use of a medication or treatment (e.g., Allergies)

3. Terminology • Dose • The amount of a drug to be administered at one time • Usually ordered in grams (e.g. 5 mg) • Mechanism of Action • How a drug works (e.g., stimulates beta receptors)

4. Terminology • Effects • The desired result of administration of a medication • Side Effects • Effects that are not desired and that occur in addition to the desired therapeutic effects

5. Medication Names • Chemical Name • describes the drug’s chemical structure • 1,2,3-propanetriol trinitrate • Not useful in treatment • Generic Name • reflects the chemical name, but in shorter form • Nitroglycerin tablets

6. Medication Names • Trade Name • the name the manufacturer uses to market the drug • Nitrostat® • Official Name • the name used in the U.S. Pharmocopoeia • Nitroglycerin tablets, U.S.P. • Official name in the US

7. Routes of Administration • Sublingual • Under the tongue • Nitroglycerin • Oral • The drug is swallowed and absorbed through the stomach and intestinal tract • Oral Glucose • Aspirin

8. Routes of Administration • Inhalation • a gas or aerosol inhaled by the patient • Oxygen by mask • Albuterol by hand-held metered- dose inhaler or by small-volume nebulizer • Injection • The drug is injected into a muscle mass • Epinephrine by auto-injector

9. Medication Forms • Tablets • compressed powder shaped into a disk • Aspirin • Nitroglycerin

10. Medication Forms • Liquid for Injections • liquid with no particulate matter • Epinephrine

11. Medication Forms • Gel • viscous substance that the patient swallows • Oral Glucose

12. Medication Forms • Suspension • drug particles mixed in a solute • Activated Charcoal

13. Medication Forms • Fine powder for Inhalation • a crystalline solid mixed with liquid to form a suspension • Albuterol by hand-held metered-dose inhaler

14. Medication Forms • Gas • Oxygen by mask

15. Medication Forms • Spray • Nitroglycerin sub-lingual spray

16. Medication Forms • Liquid/vaporized • Albuterol by small-volume nebulizer

17. Steps to Administering Medication • Obtain an Order from physician • Confirm Order • Repeat order back to physician • Dose • Medication • Route

18. Steps to Administering Medication • Select Proper Medication • Avoid contamination (don’t expose to dirt) • Check Expiration Date • Check For Signs of Contamination • Discoloration • Cloudiness • Particulate Matter

19. Steps to Administering Medication • Verify Form & Route • Inform Patient of Order • Inquire about allergies to medication • Recheck Medication (Yes again) • Expiration date • Contamination • At least two more times after initial check

20. Steps to Administering Medication • Assess Patient prior to administration of the drug (including baseline vital signs) • Administer the correct dose by the correct route • Dispose of Contaminated Equipment • Reassess After Administration

21. Medication Administration • Four Rights • Right patient? • Right medication? • Right dose? • Right route?

22. Medication Administration • Patient must be reassessed after administration • Physical Exam • Vital Signs • Look for change in patient condition/status • Remember: A return to normal vital signs may not indicate improvement

23. Medication Administration • Patients can self administer medication even if you are not authorized to give them