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Paramedic Drug Cards Exam Study Guide Questions &
Answers.
Activated Charcoal - Trade Name: Act dose, Super Char, Charcodate, Liquid-Char,
Aqua-Char
Classification: Antidote, Adsorbent
Action/Effects: A fine black powder with liquid that adsorbs poisonous compounds to its
surface, reducing the absorption.
Indication: Oral poisonings
Over dose of a non-caustic or other burning poison
Contraindication: Do NOT use in caustic acids, alkalis, irons tablets & lithium.
There is NO value for the ETOH OD pt.
Side Effects: Constipation is possible, vomiting due to pt. intolerance
Adult & Pediatric Dose: 1gm/kg PO or slow Nasogastric or gastric tubes
Cautions: Not suggested in most local protocols or by national
Guidelines.
Some people like to spit it out at YOU!
Adenosine - Trade Name: Aden card
Classification: Antiarrhythmic
Action/Effects: Slows supraventricular tachycardia, decreasing the electrical activity by
interrupting the reentry pathways through the AV node.
Indication: PSVT Rhythm (after vagal maneuvers)
Contraindication: Hypersensitivity 2nd & 3rd degree AV heart block, Sick Sinus
Syndrome, A-Fib
Side Effects: Syncope, Chest Pain, facial flushing, SOB, dizziness, hypotension
Adult Dose: 6mg IV push with 20cc NS fluid bolus, a repeat dose of 12mg in 1-2
minutes up to 2X may be given if not converted.
Pediatric Dose: 0.1mg/kg rapid IV push followed by 5cc bolus, repeat 0.2mg/kg x 1
Cautions: Half-life is 5 seconds. Pediatric doses don't exceed adult doses
Albuterol - Trade Name: Proventil, Vent Olin
Classification: Bronchodilator, Sympathomimetic
Action/Effects: A beta2-adrenergic agonist which helps relax the bronchial smooth
muscles
Indication: Asthma, Relief of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease.
, 2
Pediatric Dose: 2.5mg in 3cc NS > 1 year old, 1.5mg in 3cc NS < 1 year old
Cautions: Be aware of prior doses/ can interact with diuretics, digoxin, beta blockers, &
MAO inhibitors/ can have toxicity effects on vascular system if used with tricyclic
antidepressants
Amiodarone - Trade Name: Cordarone
Classification: Antiarrhythmic
Action/Effects: Prolongs phase 3 of the cardiac action potential. Amiodarone increases
the refractory period of sodium and potassium channels. This intern slows the cardiac
action potential.
Indication: V-Fib/V-Teach Pulseless
Contraindication: Hypersensitivity
Side Effects: Lung problems, Liver Problems, Epididymis in long term use
Adult Dose: 150-300 mg IV (Expected 300mg IV loading dose) Check your protocols.
(Expected 150mg 2nd dose if needed)
Pediatric Dose: 5mg/kg IV/IO (Check your protocols for additional doses)
Amyl Nitrate - Trade Name: Vapor olé
Classification: Vasodilator, Cyanide Antidote
Action/Effects: Causes oxidation of hemoglobin to the compound of met hemoglobin.
Vasodilatation, including coronary artery dilation. Smooth muscle relaxant
Indication: Cyanide poisoning
Contraindication: None when given for cyanide poisoning
Side Effects: Hypotension with syncope, Headache, Nausea & Vomiting
Adult Dose: 0.3ml or an Amyl Nitrate glass pearl (similar to ammonia) Break ampule &
inhale for 30 seconds, then 100% O2 for 50-100 seconds, monitor blood pressure
Aspirin - Trade Name: ASA, Baby Aspirin, Bayer
Classification: Anti-platelet, Antipyretic, NSAID
Action/Effects: Decreases platelet aggregation, prolongs clotting time. Antipyretic
Activity
Indication: MI, Coronary Artery Disease, Pericarditis
Contraindication: Hypersensitivity, Pt. already on anticoagulants, Bleeding Disorders
Side Effects: Heart Burn, Nausea, Wheezing, Tinnitus
Adult Dose: 160-325mg PO chewable (2-4 tablets 81mg per tablet) Expected Dose:
Paramedic Drug Cards Exam Study Guide Questions &
Answers.
Activated Charcoal - Trade Name: Act dose, Super Char, Charcodate, Liquid-Char,
Aqua-Char
Classification: Antidote, Adsorbent
Action/Effects: A fine black powder with liquid that adsorbs poisonous compounds to its
surface, reducing the absorption.
Indication: Oral poisonings
Over dose of a non-caustic or other burning poison
Contraindication: Do NOT use in caustic acids, alkalis, irons tablets & lithium.
There is NO value for the ETOH OD pt.
Side Effects: Constipation is possible, vomiting due to pt. intolerance
Adult & Pediatric Dose: 1gm/kg PO or slow Nasogastric or gastric tubes
Cautions: Not suggested in most local protocols or by national
Guidelines.
Some people like to spit it out at YOU!
Adenosine - Trade Name: Aden card
Classification: Antiarrhythmic
Action/Effects: Slows supraventricular tachycardia, decreasing the electrical activity by
interrupting the reentry pathways through the AV node.
Indication: PSVT Rhythm (after vagal maneuvers)
Contraindication: Hypersensitivity 2nd & 3rd degree AV heart block, Sick Sinus
Syndrome, A-Fib
Side Effects: Syncope, Chest Pain, facial flushing, SOB, dizziness, hypotension
Adult Dose: 6mg IV push with 20cc NS fluid bolus, a repeat dose of 12mg in 1-2
minutes up to 2X may be given if not converted.
Pediatric Dose: 0.1mg/kg rapid IV push followed by 5cc bolus, repeat 0.2mg/kg x 1
Cautions: Half-life is 5 seconds. Pediatric doses don't exceed adult doses
Albuterol - Trade Name: Proventil, Vent Olin
Classification: Bronchodilator, Sympathomimetic
Action/Effects: A beta2-adrenergic agonist which helps relax the bronchial smooth
muscles
Indication: Asthma, Relief of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease.
, 2
Pediatric Dose: 2.5mg in 3cc NS > 1 year old, 1.5mg in 3cc NS < 1 year old
Cautions: Be aware of prior doses/ can interact with diuretics, digoxin, beta blockers, &
MAO inhibitors/ can have toxicity effects on vascular system if used with tricyclic
antidepressants
Amiodarone - Trade Name: Cordarone
Classification: Antiarrhythmic
Action/Effects: Prolongs phase 3 of the cardiac action potential. Amiodarone increases
the refractory period of sodium and potassium channels. This intern slows the cardiac
action potential.
Indication: V-Fib/V-Teach Pulseless
Contraindication: Hypersensitivity
Side Effects: Lung problems, Liver Problems, Epididymis in long term use
Adult Dose: 150-300 mg IV (Expected 300mg IV loading dose) Check your protocols.
(Expected 150mg 2nd dose if needed)
Pediatric Dose: 5mg/kg IV/IO (Check your protocols for additional doses)
Amyl Nitrate - Trade Name: Vapor olé
Classification: Vasodilator, Cyanide Antidote
Action/Effects: Causes oxidation of hemoglobin to the compound of met hemoglobin.
Vasodilatation, including coronary artery dilation. Smooth muscle relaxant
Indication: Cyanide poisoning
Contraindication: None when given for cyanide poisoning
Side Effects: Hypotension with syncope, Headache, Nausea & Vomiting
Adult Dose: 0.3ml or an Amyl Nitrate glass pearl (similar to ammonia) Break ampule &
inhale for 30 seconds, then 100% O2 for 50-100 seconds, monitor blood pressure
Aspirin - Trade Name: ASA, Baby Aspirin, Bayer
Classification: Anti-platelet, Antipyretic, NSAID
Action/Effects: Decreases platelet aggregation, prolongs clotting time. Antipyretic
Activity
Indication: MI, Coronary Artery Disease, Pericarditis
Contraindication: Hypersensitivity, Pt. already on anticoagulants, Bleeding Disorders
Side Effects: Heart Burn, Nausea, Wheezing, Tinnitus
Adult Dose: 160-325mg PO chewable (2-4 tablets 81mg per tablet) Expected Dose:
