Prehospital Emergency Pharmacology, 6th Edition

Features

Updated to reflect the most current information available, this revision includes:

• Detailed profiles of the most frequently used prehospital medications and IV fluids including drug class, action, indications, contraindications, precautions, side effects, dosages (adult and pediatric), and administration routes.

• New chapter on Weapons of Mass Destruction.

• Information on natural and herbal medications that may be encountered in the field.

This pharmacology book and handy reference is a complete guide to the most common medications used in prehospital care. It reflects current trends in prehospital care and the most recent drug information. KEY TOPICS: This revision will update the book to cover the current AHA guidelines for cardiac care and will be updated to include the most recent drug information available. Chapter topics include pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; administration of drugs; drug dosage calculations; fluids, electrolytes, and IV therapy; the automatic nervous system; drugs used in the treatment of emergencies: cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic-endocrine, neurological, obstetrical and gynecological, toxicological, behavioral, and gastrointestinal; and drugs used in pain management. MARKET: For practicing paramedics.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Notices

Precautions on Bloodborne Pathogens and Infectious Diseases

1. General Information

Objectives
Introduction
Drug Research and Bringing a Drug to Market
FDA Classification of Newly Approved Drugs
New Drug Development
Unlabeled Uses of Drugs
Medical Oversight
Components of a Drug Profile
Important Pharmacological Terminology
Summary

2. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Objectives
Introduction
Pharmacology
Pharmacokinetics
Review of Physiology of Transport
Pharmacodynamics
Summary

3. Administration of Drugs

Objectives
Introduction
Patient Care Using Medications
The Medication Order
Six Rights of Medication Administration
General Administration Routes
Drug Administration and Preparation
Medical Direction
Medical Asepsis
Disposal of Contaminated Equipment and Sharps
Medication Routes Used in Emergency Medicine
Pediatric Administration Techniques
Summary

4. Drug Dosage Calculations

Objectives
Introduction
Section 1: The Metric System
Section 2: Find the Ordered Dose
Section 3: Find the Units per Kilogram
Section 4: Concentration Problems
Section 5: Calculate an IV Drip
Section 6: Calculate an IV Drip Based on Patient Weight
Section 7: Milliliters per Hour to Drops per Minute
Practice Problems

5. Fluids, Electrolytes, and Intravenous Therapy

Objectives
Introduction
Fluids
Electrolytes
Cell Physiology
Blood
IV Therapy
Insertion of Indwelling IV Catheter
Collection of Blood Samples for Laboratory Analysis
Blood Transfusions
Summary

6. The Autonomic Nervous System

Objectives
Introduction
The Autonomic Nervous System
Summary

7. Drugs Used in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Emergencies

Objectives
Introduction
Oxygen
Sympathomimetics
Sympathetic Blockers
Antidysrhythmics
Parasympatholytics
Cardiac Glycosides
Anticoagulants
Fibrinolytics
Alkalinizing Agents
Cardiac Pain Management (Analgesics)
Diuretics
Natriuretic Peptides
Antianginal Agents
Antihypertensives
Other Cardiovascular Drugs
Summary

8. Drugs Used in the Treatment of Respiratory Emergencies

Objectives
Introduction
Oxygen
Asthma
Neuromuscular Blockers
Induction Agents
Rapid-Sequence Induction
Pharmacologically-Assisted Intubation
Summary

9. Drugs Used in the Treatment of Metabolic-Endocrine Emergencies

Objectives
Introduction
Diabetes Mellitus
Types of Diabetes
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (Diabetic Coma)
Hypoglycemia (Insulin Shock)
Insulin
Glucagon
Thiamine
Summary

10. Drugs Used in the Treatment of Neurological Emergencies

Objectives
Introduction
Neurological Trauma
Nontraumatic Neurological Emergencies
Summary

11. Drugs Used in the Treatment of Obstetrical and Gynecological Emergencies

Objectives
Introduction
Severe Vaginal Bleeding
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Preterm Labor
Summary

12. Toxicological Emergencies in Prehospital Care

Objectives
Introduction
Regional Poison Centers
Patient History
General Approach to the Poisoned Patient
Toxidromes
Specific Toxic Agents Encountered in Prehospital Care
Summary

13. Drugs Used in the Treatment of Behavioral Emergencies

Objectives
Introduction
Understanding Behavioral Emergencies
Summary

14. Drugs Used in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Emergencies

Objectives
Gastrointestinal Medications
Summary

15. Drugs Used in Pain Management

Objectives
Introduction
Analgesics
Summary

16. Weapons of Mass Destruction

Objectives
Introduction
Personal Protection
NBC Agents Overview
Summary

Appendix A Glossary of Street Drug Names

Appendix B Emergency Intravenous Fluids Quick

Reference Guide

Appendix C Quick Drug Reference

Appendix D Adult Advanced Cardiac Life Support Algorithms

Appendix E Common Home Prescription Drug Information

Appendix F Pediatric Drug Dosages

Appendix G Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support Treatment Algorithm

Appendix H Drug Administration Skills

Appendix I A Guide to Herbal Supplements

Appendix J Practice Problems Answer Key

Index