How it Works (Mechanisms of Action)
Albuterol specifically targets Beta-2 receptors in the lungs to cause this physiological reaction.
What is bronchodilation (or relaxing the smooth airway muscle)?
After administering Epinephrine, you should expect the patient to experience anxiety, tremors, and a significant increase in this vital sign.
What is heart rate (tachycardia)?
You must withhold Activated Charcoal if the patient has ingested this specific type of caustic chemical, such as bleach or drain cleaner.
What are corrosives (or strong acids/alkalis)?
Written, standardized guidelines approved by your medical director that allow you to administer medications like Oxygen or Oral Glucose without calling first.
What are Standing Orders (or Off-line Medical Direction)?
A standard, commercially prepared tube of Oral Glucose typically contains this many grams of carbohydrates.
What is 15 grams (accept 15 to 24 grams)?
Aspirin does not actually dissolve blood clots; instead, it prevents clots from getting larger by inhibiting this process.
What is platelet aggregation (or making platelets less "sticky")?
The most common and widely complained about side effect after a patient takes sublingual Nitroglycerin.
What is a severe headache?
You should never give Aspirin to a patient who has a known allergy to it, or who is currently experiencing this specific type of internal bleeding.
What is active gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (or an active ulcer)?
Before assisting a patient with their prescribed Nitroglycerin, the prescription on the bottle must definitively match this.
What is the patient's legal name?
The standard adult dose for Albuterol administered via a small volume nebulizer (SVN).
What is 2.5 mg (in 3 ml of normal saline)?
Epinephrine is a lifesaver in anaphylaxis because its Alpha-1 properties cause this reaction, which raises a crashing blood pressure.
What is vasoconstriction (constricting the blood vessels)?
When administering Naloxone, you must be prepared for the patient to suddenly wake up and potentially exhibit this dangerous behavioral side effect.
What is combativeness (or aggression/agitation)?
In the NM scope, administering pediatric Acetaminophen is contraindicated if the child has known disease or dysfunction of this organ.
What is the liver (hepatic disease)?
If you are unsure about a medication dosage, or if a patient's vital signs fall into a gray area of your protocols, you should immediately use your radio/phone to do this.
What is contact Online Medical Control?
The standard weight-based dose for Activated Charcoal in both adult and pediatric patients.
What is 1 gram per kilogram (1 g/kg)?
Naloxone (Narcan) works by actively competing for and blocking these specific sites in the brain.
What are opiate (or opioid) receptors?
Because it is an acid, taking Aspirin on an empty stomach commonly causes this uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effect.
What is heartburn (or nausea/stomach upset)?
You are preparing to assist with an MDI, but you notice the patient has a prescribed inhaler of Advair (Fluticasone/Salmeterol). You withhold it because Advair is this type of medication, not a rescue inhaler.
What is a long-acting controller medication (or a steroid)?
Under NM guidelines, if you draw up Epinephrine 1:1,000 from a glass ampule instead of a vial, you must use this specific piece of equipment on your syringe.
What is a filter needle (to catch glass shards)?
If administering Naloxone (Narcan) via the Intranasal (IN) route using a mucosal atomizer device and a syringe, you should administer a maximum of this volume per nostril to ensure absorption.
What is 1 ml (or 1 mg) per nostril?
Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent) works differently than Albuterol; it is an anticholinergic that blocks the parasympathetic nervous system to dry up these.
What are respiratory secretions (or mucus)?
A major potential side effect of administering Oral Glucose to a patient whose mental status is too altered to protect their airway.
What is aspiration?
Nitroglycerin is contraindicated in patients with a suspected head injury because vasodilation can cause a lethal increase in this.
What is Intracranial Pressure (ICP)?
To administer pediatric Acetaminophen for a fever during a long transport, New Mexico protocols often require the patient's temperature to be over this specific threshold.
What is 100.4°F (or locally specified fever protocol threshold)?
The standard adult dose for Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent) administered via nebulizer, typically mixed with Albuterol.
What is 0.5 mg?