Chest pain & Cardiac
A patient presents with crushing chest pain. This medication is commonly given first because it helps prevent platelets from forming more clots.
What is aspirin?
A patient twists their ankle playing basketball. The X-ray shows no fracture. Besides rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), which commonly used medication is often recommended to help reduce pain and inflammation?
What is Ibuprofen (or another NSAID)?
A wheezing patient receives this inhaled medication to quickly open the airways.
What is albuterol?
This medication is commonly ordered to treat nausea and vomiting.
What is Zofran (Ondansetron)?
This medication reverses an opioid overdose.
What is Narcan (Naloxone)?
A patient arrives with chest pain, and before any medications are administered, the provider orders an EKG within minutes of arrival. Why is this one of the first tests performed?
To quickly identify a heart attack (STEMI) or other life-threatening cardiac abnormalities that require immediate treatment.
A patient needs stitches. Before repairing the laceration, the provider injects this medication to numb the area.
What is Lidocaine?
This breathing treatment combines albuterol and Atrovent.
What is DuoNeb?
This medication decreases stomach acid and is commonly used for gastritis or GERD symptoms.
What is Pepcid or Protonix?
This medication is carried by many people with severe allergies and is commonly administered using an auto-injector.
What is Epinephrine?
This blood test is commonly ordered to help determine if damage has occurred to the heart muscle.
What is Troponin?
A patient steps on a rusty nail. Along with cleaning the wound, the provider administers this vaccine.
What is Tdap?
This medication is commonly prescribed to relieve cough but should not be used to treat the infection causing the cough.
What is Benzonatate (Tessalon Perles)?
A patient presents with severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating at a restaurant. The provider orders IV fluids and ondansetron (Zofran). Besides controlling nausea, what is the main goal of IV fluid therapy?
What is treating dehydration and restoring fluid balance?
A patient presents with a kidney stone. Along with pain medication, this medication may be prescribed to help the stone pass more easily.
What is Flomax (Tamsulosin)?
This symptom, often described as excessive sweating, commonly accompanies serious cardiac chest pain.
What is Diaphoresis?
A patient has severe trauma after a motor vehicle collision. This opioid is commonly used because it acts quickly and has minimal effects on blood pressure.
What is Fentanyl?
This medication is commonly prescribed to relieve chest congestion by thinning mucus, making it easier to cough up.
What is Mucinex (Guaifenesin)?
A patient is diagnosed with an uncomplicated urinary tract infection. Name one commonly prescribed antibiotic.
What is Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin), Keflex (Cephalexin), or Bactrim (TMP-SMX)?
This medication is rapidly pushed IV to treat stable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
What is Adenosine?
A patient says, "My chest hurts when I press on it." What possible cause becomes more likely?
What is musculoskeletal chest pain (such as muscle strain or costochondritis)?
A patient presents with severe muscle spasms after lifting a heavy object at work. The provider prescribes a medication that relaxes skeletal muscles rather than treating inflammation. What medication is most likely prescribed?
What is Robaxin (Methocarbamol)?
A patient has fever, cough, body aches, and symptoms for only one day. The provider orders a COVID/Flu swabs and prescribes oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Why is timing important?
Because antiviral medications are most effective when started within the first 48 hours of symptom onset.
A patient with severe flank pain receives IV Toradol, Zofran, and fluids. What diagnosis is the provider most likely treating?
What is a kidney stone (Nephrolithiasis)?
This medication is commonly prescribed to patients diagnosed with shingles to reduce viral replication.
What is Valacyclovir (Valtrex)?