Download Pharmacology

GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
Temple College
EMS Professions
ECA
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)
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)
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
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
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
Routes of Administration
• Sublingual
– Under the tongue
• Nitroglycerin
• Oral
– The drug is
swallowed and
absorbed through the
stomach and intestinal
tract
• Oral Glucose
• Aspirin
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
Medication Forms
• Tablets
– compressed
powder shaped
into a disk
• Aspirin
• Nitroglycerin
Medication Forms
• Liquid for Injections
– liquid with no particulate matter
• Epinephrine
Medication Forms
• Gel
– viscous substance that the patient swallows
• Oral Glucose
Medication Forms
• Suspension
– drug particles mixed
in a solute
• Activated Charcoal
Medication Forms
• Fine powder for
Inhalation
– a crystalline solid
mixed with liquid to
form a suspension
• Albuterol by hand-held
metered-dose inhaler
Medication Forms
• Gas
– Oxygen by mask
Medication Forms
• Spray
– Nitroglycerin sub-lingual
spray
Medication Forms
• Liquid/vaporized
– Albuterol by
small-volume
nebulizer
Steps to Administering
Medication
1.
2.
Obtain an Order from physician
Confirm Order
A.
Repeat order back to physician
I. Dose
II. Medication
III. Route
Steps to Administering
Medication
3. Select Proper Medication
–
–
–
Avoid contamination (don’t expose to dirt)
Check Expiration Date
Check For Signs of Contamination
•
•
•
Discoloration
Cloudiness
Particulate Matter
Steps to Administering
Medication
4. Verify Form & Route
5. Inform Patient of Order
–
Inquire about allergies to medication
6. Recheck Medication (Yes again)
–
–
–
Expiration date
Contamination
At least two more times after initial check
Steps to Administering
Medication
7. Assess Patient prior to administration of
the drug (including baseline vital signs)
8. Administer the correct dose by the correct
route
9. Dispose of Contaminated Equipment
10. Reassess After Administration
Medication Administration
• Four Rights
–
–
–
–
Right patient?
Right medication?
Right dose?
Right route?
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
Medication Administration
• Patients can self administer medication even
if you are not authorized to give them