Chapter 12: Principles of Pharmacology - Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured

Introduction

• Understanding general pharmacology is crucial for EMTs.
• Proper medication use can alleviate pain and improve conditions.
• Incorrect administration can lead to severe consequences, including death.

Key Definitions

• Pharmacology: Science of drugs, including ingredients, preparation, and effects.
• Medication: Used to treat or prevent disease and relieve pain.
• Pharmacodynamics: How medication affects the body.
  • Agonist: Stimulates receptors.
  • Antagonist: Blocks other chemicals from binding.
• Dose: Amount of medication given, depending on weight, age, etc.
• Pharmacokinetics: How the body affects medication.
  • Onset: Time until effects occur.
  • Duration: Length of effects.
  • Elimination: Removal from body.
  • Peak: Maximum clinical effect.

Factors Affecting Medication

• Route of administration and shock states.
• Indications: Reasons for medication use.
• Contraindications: Situations where medication is harmful or ineffective.
  • Absolute: Never use in given situation.
  • Relative: Benefits may outweigh risks.
• Adverse Effects: Unintended actions of medication.
  • Unintended: Undesirable but minimal risk.
  • Untoward: Harmful effects.

Medication Names

• Generic Name: Clear, non-proprietary, not capitalized.
• Trade Name: Brand name, capitalized.
• Prescription Drugs: Require physician's order.
• Over-the-Counter Drugs: No prescription needed.

Administration Routes

• Enteral: Via digestive system, slower absorption.
• Parenteral: Other than digestive, faster absorption.
• Common Routes:
  • PR (Per Rectum)
  • PO (Oral)
  • IV (Intravenous)
  • IO (Intraosseous)
  • SC (Subcutaneous)
  • IM (Intramuscular)
  • Inhalation
  • Sublingual
  • Transcutaneous
  • Intranasal

Medication Forms

• Tablets and Capsules: Oral administration.
• Solutions and Suspensions: Liquid mixtures.
• Metered-Dose Inhalers: Aerosols for respiratory conditions.
• Topical Meds: Lotions, creams, ointments for skin.
• Transcutaneous Meds: Systemic effects through skin.
• Gels: Semi-liquids like oral glucose.
• Gases: Commonly oxygen.

Administering Medications

• Administer only under medical direction.
• 9 Rights: Patient, medication, dose, route, time, education, refusal, response, documentation.
• Types of administration:
  • Peer-assisted
  • Patient-assisted
  • EMT administration

Specific Medications

• Oral Glucose: For hypoglycemia.
• Aspirin: Reduces platelet aggregation, not for children.
• Nitroglycerin: For angina, causes vasodilation.
• Epinephrine: For anaphylaxis, bronchodilates and vasoconstricts.
• Naloxone: Reverses opiate overdose, available IM and IN.
• Oxygen: Most common pre-hospital medication.

Considerations and Errors

• Follow local protocols and consult medical control.
• Medication errors: Ensure proper environment and procedure.
• Learn from errors for quality improvement.

Summary

• Pharmacology involves understanding drug effects and administration.
• Proper administration ensures patient safety and effective treatment.

Thank you for joining the lecture. Subscribe for more chapters!