Medication commonly used for suspected ACS because of its antiplatelet effect.
Aspirin
Primary indication for oral glucose.
Suspected hypoglycemia in a patient able to safely receive it per protocol
What must always be checked before giving a medication?
Allergies and contraindications/precautions.
What does 1 mg/mL describe?
Concentration: 1 milligram of drug in each milliliter.
A patient weighs 220 lb. Approximate weight in kg.
100 kg.
Medication used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Naloxone.
Primary clinical problem treated by albuterol.
Bronchospasm
What vital sign is especially important before nitroglycerin?
Blood pressure.
Why must the vial/ampule label be read before drawing medication?
To verify drug, concentration, expiration, integrity and other label information.
Order 2 mg; supply 1 mg/mL. Volume?
2 mL.
Beta-2 agonist commonly used for bronchospasm.
Albuterol.
Why might aspirin be considered in suspected ACS?
Antiplatelet effect helps reduce further platelet aggregation.
What medication history is particularly important before nitroglycerin?
Recent PDE-5 inhibitor use, with timing per protocol.
Why label a prepared syringe?
To prevent medication/dose identification errors.
Order 0.5 mg; supply 1 mg/mL. Volume?
0.5 mL.
Medication used for severe allergic reaction/anaphylaxis.
Epinephrine.
Why is epinephrine important in anaphylaxis?
It supports airway/bronchodilation and cardiovascular tone through adrenergic effects.
Why should medication effect be reassessed after administration?
To identify therapeutic response, deterioration, or adverse effects.
What should determine syringe size?
The volume to be measured/administered and required accuracy.
500 mL over 4 hours. Pump rate?
125 mL/hr.
Medication that raises blood glucose through hepatic glycogen breakdown when oral glucose is not appropriate and protocol permits.
Glucagon.
A medication should be given only after confirming what three broad items?
Indication, absence of contraindication/major precaution, and correct dose/route per protocol.
A calculated dose seems unusually large. What should you do?
Stop, recheck units/order/concentration/math and verify with protocol/instructor/partner before administration.
Why are units critical in medication math?
They prevent mg/mcg/mL conversion errors and allow dimensional verification.
250 mL over 1 hour with 20 gtt/mL tubing. Drip rate?
83 gtt/min (250×20÷60 = 83.3).