Paramedic Pharmacology Exam
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
Activated Charcoal -
correct answer ✅CLASS: adsorbent
ACTIONS: adsorbs toxins by chemical binding and prevents GI
absorption
INDICATIONS: poisoning following emesis or when emesis is
contraindicated
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none in severe poisoning
PRECAUTIONS: should only be administered following emesis in
which it is so indicated, use with caution in patients with altered
mental status, may absorb ipecac; if ipecac is administered, wait at
least 10 mins to administer activated charcoal
SIDE EFFECTS: nausea/vomiting
ROUTE: PO
ADULT DOSAGE: 1 g/kg (typically 50-75 g)mixed with a glass of
water to form a slurry
PEDIATRIC DOSAGE: 1 g/kg mixed with a glass of water to form a
slurry
Adenosine (Adenocard) -
correct answer ✅CLASS: antidysrhythmic
ACTIONS: slows atrioventricular conduction
INDICATIONS: symptomatic PSVT
,Paramedic Pharmacology Exam
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
CONTRAINDICATIONS: second or third degree heart block, sick sinus
syndrome, known hypersensitivity to drug, Wolf Parkinson White
syndrome
PRECAUTIONS: dysrhythmias, including blocks, are common at the
time of cardioversion, use with caution in patients with asthma
SIDE EFFECTS: facial flushing, headache, SOB, dizziness, nausea
ROUTE: IV/IO; should be administered directly into a vein or into
the medication administration port closest to the patient and
followed by flushing of the line with IV fluid
ADULT DOSAGE: 6 mg rapid IV bolus over 1-2 seconds, if after 1-2
minutes, cardioversion doesn't occur, administer a 12 mg dose over
1-2 seconds
PEDIATRIC DOSAGE: safety in children has not been established
Albuterol (Proventil) -
correct answer ✅CLASS: sympathomimetic (Beta 2 selective)
ACTIONS: bronchodilation
INDICATIONS: asthma, reversible bronchospasm associated with
COPD
CONTRAINDICATIONS: symptomatic tachycardia, known
hypersensitivity to drug
, Paramedic Pharmacology Exam
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
PRECAUTIONS: BP, HR, and ECG results should be monitored, use
caution in patients with known heart disease
SIDE EFFECTS: palpitations, anxiety, headache, dizziness, sweating
ROUTE: inhalation (via NEB)
ADULT DOSAGE: 0.5 mL (2.5 mg) in 2.5 mL of NaCl over 5-15 mins
via NEB
PEDIATRIC DOSAGE: 0.15 mg/kg (0.03 mL/kg) in 2.5 mL normal
saline via NEB
Amiodarone (Cordarone) -
correct answer ✅CLASS: antidysrhythmic
ACTIONS: prolongs action potential and refractory period, slows the
sinus rate, prolongs PR and QT intervals, decreased peripheral
vascular resistance
INDICATIONS: life threatening cardiac dysrhythmias such as V-Tach
and V-Fib
CONTRAINDICATIONS: severe sinus node dysfunction, sinus
bradycardia, second and third degree AV block, hemodynamically
significant bradycardia
PRECAUTIONS: heart failure
SIDE EFFECTS: hypotension, nausea, anorexia, malaise/fatigue,
tremors, pulmonary toxicity, ventricular ectopic beats
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
Activated Charcoal -
correct answer ✅CLASS: adsorbent
ACTIONS: adsorbs toxins by chemical binding and prevents GI
absorption
INDICATIONS: poisoning following emesis or when emesis is
contraindicated
CONTRAINDICATIONS: none in severe poisoning
PRECAUTIONS: should only be administered following emesis in
which it is so indicated, use with caution in patients with altered
mental status, may absorb ipecac; if ipecac is administered, wait at
least 10 mins to administer activated charcoal
SIDE EFFECTS: nausea/vomiting
ROUTE: PO
ADULT DOSAGE: 1 g/kg (typically 50-75 g)mixed with a glass of
water to form a slurry
PEDIATRIC DOSAGE: 1 g/kg mixed with a glass of water to form a
slurry
Adenosine (Adenocard) -
correct answer ✅CLASS: antidysrhythmic
ACTIONS: slows atrioventricular conduction
INDICATIONS: symptomatic PSVT
,Paramedic Pharmacology Exam
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
CONTRAINDICATIONS: second or third degree heart block, sick sinus
syndrome, known hypersensitivity to drug, Wolf Parkinson White
syndrome
PRECAUTIONS: dysrhythmias, including blocks, are common at the
time of cardioversion, use with caution in patients with asthma
SIDE EFFECTS: facial flushing, headache, SOB, dizziness, nausea
ROUTE: IV/IO; should be administered directly into a vein or into
the medication administration port closest to the patient and
followed by flushing of the line with IV fluid
ADULT DOSAGE: 6 mg rapid IV bolus over 1-2 seconds, if after 1-2
minutes, cardioversion doesn't occur, administer a 12 mg dose over
1-2 seconds
PEDIATRIC DOSAGE: safety in children has not been established
Albuterol (Proventil) -
correct answer ✅CLASS: sympathomimetic (Beta 2 selective)
ACTIONS: bronchodilation
INDICATIONS: asthma, reversible bronchospasm associated with
COPD
CONTRAINDICATIONS: symptomatic tachycardia, known
hypersensitivity to drug
, Paramedic Pharmacology Exam
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
PRECAUTIONS: BP, HR, and ECG results should be monitored, use
caution in patients with known heart disease
SIDE EFFECTS: palpitations, anxiety, headache, dizziness, sweating
ROUTE: inhalation (via NEB)
ADULT DOSAGE: 0.5 mL (2.5 mg) in 2.5 mL of NaCl over 5-15 mins
via NEB
PEDIATRIC DOSAGE: 0.15 mg/kg (0.03 mL/kg) in 2.5 mL normal
saline via NEB
Amiodarone (Cordarone) -
correct answer ✅CLASS: antidysrhythmic
ACTIONS: prolongs action potential and refractory period, slows the
sinus rate, prolongs PR and QT intervals, decreased peripheral
vascular resistance
INDICATIONS: life threatening cardiac dysrhythmias such as V-Tach
and V-Fib
CONTRAINDICATIONS: severe sinus node dysfunction, sinus
bradycardia, second and third degree AV block, hemodynamically
significant bradycardia
PRECAUTIONS: heart failure
SIDE EFFECTS: hypotension, nausea, anorexia, malaise/fatigue,
tremors, pulmonary toxicity, ventricular ectopic beats
