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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

Can You Master EMT Pharmacology? Take the Quiz!

Dive into this EMT pharmacology quizlet and discover why EMTs study pharmacology!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of EMT tools pills syringe medical chart on dark blue background for pharmacology quiz

This EMT pharmacology quiz helps you practice core drug facts for the field, from dosing and routes to actions and side effects. Work through scored questions to find gaps before the exam or your next call, then keep going with a related quiz for paramedics if you want a tougher set.

Albuterol is classified as which type of medication?
Alpha-1 agonist
Beta-2 agonist
Muscarinic antagonist
Beta-1 agonist
Albuterol selectively stimulates beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, causing bronchodilation. It has minimal beta-1 activity at therapeutic doses, reducing cardiac side effects. This action makes it ideal for treating asthma and COPD exacerbations in the prehospital setting. .
What is the preferred route of administration for nitroglycerin in acute chest pain?
Inhalation
Oral tablet
Sublingual tablet
Intramuscular injection
Sublingual nitroglycerin bypasses first-pass metabolism and provides rapid absorption through oral mucosa, leading to quick vasodilation. It is the standard prehospital treatment for angina and chest pain. Oral tablets take longer and have lower bioavailability. .
What is the standard adult dosage of aspirin for suspected myocardial infarction?
160 - 325 mg
600 mg
81 mg
400 mg
Aspirin 160 - 325 mg chewed or dissolved provides antiplatelet effects quickly by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and thromboxane A2 formation. This dose reduces mortality in acute myocardial infarction. Lower doses may not achieve full antiplatelet effect, while higher doses increase bleeding risk. .
At what flow rate is a nasal cannula typically set for EMT oxygen administration?
6 - 10 L/min
1 - 6 L/min
10 - 15 L/min
15 - 25 L/min
A nasal cannula delivers 24 - 44% FiO2 at 1 - 6 L/min, providing low to moderate oxygen support. Flow rates above 6 L/min are ineffective due to patient discomfort and dry mucosa. Higher concentrations require nonrebreather masks or other devices. .
Which condition is an indication for naloxone administration in the field?
Opioid overdose with respiratory depression
Bradycardia unresponsive to atropine
Hypoglycemia with altered mental status
Severe asthma attack
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory depression, miosis, and CNS depression caused by opioids. It is indicated when opioid overdose is suspected and respiratory rate is dangerously low. It has minimal effect if opioids are not present. .
How does epinephrine improve perfusion during anaphylaxis?
Alpha-1 mediated vasoconstriction
Beta-2 mediated vasoconstriction
Beta-2 mediated bronchoconstriction
Alpha-1 mediated vasodilation
Epinephrine's alpha-1 agonist effect causes vasoconstriction, reversing hypotension and edema in anaphylaxis. Its beta-1 and beta-2 actions also increase heart rate and bronchodilation respectively. Combined, these effects stabilize airway and hemodynamics. .
What route is preferred for administering glucose to a semiconscious hypoglycemic patient?
Intramuscular
Intraosseous
Intravenous
Oral
IV dextrose (D50) provides rapid correction of hypoglycemia in semiconscious patients. Oral administration risks aspiration if airway protection is inadequate. IO is an alternative if IV access fails. .
In prehospital bradycardia with hypotension, atropine acts by blocking which receptor?
Nicotinic
Alpha-2
Beta-1
Muscarinic
Atropine is a competitive antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, particularly M2 receptors in the heart. Blocking parasympathetic tone increases heart rate in symptomatic bradycardia. It has no direct effect on nicotinic receptors. .
Activated charcoal works primarily by which mechanism?
Increasing renal excretion
Alkalinizing the urine
Adsorbing toxins in the GI tract
Neutralizing gastric acid
Activated charcoal binds (adsorbs) many toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing systemic absorption. It is most effective within one hour of ingestion. It does not neutralize acid or alkalinize urine. .
Which of the following is a contraindication to nitroglycerin administration?
History of migraines
Age over 65
Systolic blood pressure below 100 mmHg
Use of aspirin
Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation and can precipitate severe hypotension if systolic BP is already below 100 mmHg. Migraine history and aspirin use are not contraindications, and age alone is not a limiting factor. .
Administering a non-selective beta-blocker before epinephrine can lead to:
Enhanced beta-2 bronchodilation
Unopposed alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction
Potentiated muscarinic effects
Increased heart rate
Beta-blockers block beta-1 and beta-2 receptors, so epinephrine's alpha-1 effects predominate, causing severe vasoconstriction and hypertension. This is known as unopposed alpha effect. .
You have a 2 mg/mL solution of drug X and need to give 4 mg. How many milliliters do you administer?
0.5 mL
2 mL
8 mL
4 mL
Using the formula Dose (mg) ÷ Concentration (mg/mL) = Volume (mL): 4 mg ÷ 2 mg/mL = 2 mL. Accurate dose calculations are critical in emergency care. .
Which statement about onset time is true?
Subcutaneous and IM have equal onset
Oral has the fastest onset
IM administration is faster than IV
IV administration has the fastest onset
IV administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, providing the fastest onset of action. IM and subcutaneous routes require absorption time. Oral routes have the slowest onset due to GI absorption and first-pass metabolism. .
How does sodium bicarbonate help in metabolic acidosis?
Increases respiratory rate
Directly binds H+ ions in blood
Blocks carbonic anhydrase
Stimulates renal HCO3 - excretion
Sodium bicarbonate acts as a buffer by combining with hydrogen ions to form carbonic acid, which is converted to water and CO2, raising blood pH. It doesn't directly affect respiration or block enzymes at therapeutic doses. .
A common side effect of inhaled beta-2 agonists is:
Bradycardia
Tremors
Urinary retention
Dry mouth
Beta-2 agonists can cause skeletal muscle tremors due to stimulation of beta-2 receptors in muscle. Tachycardia is more common than bradycardia. Other anticholinergic side effects are less typical. .
Aspirin toxicity (salicylism) often presents with:
Tinnitus
Bradycardia
Miosis
Hyperglycemia
Tinnitus and hearing loss are hallmark signs of salicylate toxicity. Patients may also have hyperthermia, respiratory alkalosis, and metabolic acidosis. Monitoring for these signs is essential during overdose. .
What is the definition of a drug's half-life?
Time to eliminate all drug
Time to reach peak effect
Time to absorb 50% of dose
Time for plasma concentration to halve
The half-life of a drug is the time required for its plasma concentration to decrease by 50%. It influences dosing intervals and accumulation risk. Knowledge of half-life is crucial for safe repeat dosing. .
What does volume of distribution (Vd) indicate about a drug?
Protein binding percentage
Oral bioavailability
Extent of tissue distribution
Rate of elimination
Vd is a theoretical volume that relates the amount of drug in the body to its plasma concentration, reflecting tissue distribution. A high Vd suggests extensive distribution into tissues. It does not describe elimination rate or bioavailability. .
Benzodiazepines enhance which neurotransmitter to produce sedation?
Glutamate
Serotonin
Dopamine
GABA
Benzodiazepines bind to GABA-A receptors, increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening and enhancing inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission. This results in sedation, anxiolysis, and anticonvulsant effects. .
Which pKa value indicates a drug is mostly ionized at physiological pH?
4 (weak acid)
7.4 (strong base)
7.4 (weak acid)
9 (weak base)
A weak acid with pKa 4 is mostly ionized at physiological pH (7.4), limiting membrane permeability. Drugs are more ionized when pH is above pKa for acids and below pKa for bases. Ionization affects absorption and distribution. .
What is the usual epinephrine dose for adult anaphylaxis IM?
0.5 mg fixed dose
0.1 mg/kg up to 1 mg
0.01 mg/kg up to 0.3 mg
1 mg IV
The recommended IM epinephrine dose in anaphylaxis is 0.01 mg/kg (max 0.3 mg) in the lateral thigh. This dose optimizes efficacy while minimizing arrhythmia risk. IV dosing is reserved for refractory cases in monitored settings. .
Which receptor subtype does morphine primarily activate?
Sigma receptor
Delta opioid receptor
Kappa opioid receptor
Mu opioid receptor
Morphine is a potent agonist at mu opioid receptors, producing analgesia, euphoria, and respiratory depression. Delta and kappa receptors contribute less to its clinical effects. .
For a hypoglycemic patient with poor IV access, which dextrose concentration is recommended IO?
D50W
D10W
D25W
D5W
D50W provides a concentrated glucose bolus, raising blood glucose quickly in IO administration. D10W and D5W have lower glucose content and require larger volumes. .
Combining MAO inhibitors with sympathomimetics can cause:
Severe hypotension
Hypertensive crisis
Serotonin syndrome
Bradycardia
MAO inhibitors prevent breakdown of catecholamines; sympathomimetics then accumulate, leading to excessive vasoconstriction and hypertensive crisis. This interaction is dangerous in the field. .
Nitroglycerin efficacy sublingually is influenced by which factor?
Oral mucosal blood flow
Renal clearance
Liver enzyme activity
Gastric pH
Sublingual nitroglycerin absorption depends on oral mucosal blood flow. High flow increases uptake into circulation. Gastric pH and first-pass liver metabolism are bypassed by sublingual route. .
Chronic use of beta-2 agonists can lead to receptor regulation changes resulting in:
Transformation to alpha receptors
Downregulation of beta-2 receptors
Upregulation of beta-2 receptors
No change in receptor density
Chronic beta-2 agonist exposure can cause receptor downregulation, reducing drug effectiveness over time. This leads to tolerance and may necessitate dosage adjustment. It reflects classic receptor pharmacodynamics in chronic therapy. .
Which kinetic order best describes phenytoin elimination at high plasma concentrations?
Second-order kinetics
Mixed-order kinetics
First-order kinetics
Zero-order kinetics
Phenytoin follows zero-order kinetics at high concentrations because metabolic enzymes become saturated, causing a constant amount of drug to be eliminated per unit time. This makes dosing challenging and overdose risk higher. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core Drug Classifications -

    Recognize the major drug families used in EMT pharmacology and differentiate their primary indications and physiological effects.

  2. Perform Accurate Dosage Calculations -

    Apply standard dosage formulas and unit conversions to determine safe and effective medication doses for diverse patient scenarios.

  3. Identify Routes of Administration -

    Distinguish between oral, intravenous, intramuscular, and other delivery methods to optimize drug absorption and therapeutic onset in the field.

  4. Explain Mechanisms of Action -

    Describe how common emergency medications interact with cellular targets to produce desired pharmacological effects and improve patient outcomes.

  5. Analyze Patient Responses -

    Evaluate potential side effects, contraindications, and adverse drug reactions to anticipate complications and adjust treatment plans appropriately.

  6. Highlight the Importance of Pharmacology in EMT Practice -

    Explain why EMTs should study pharmacology to enhance patient safety, clinical decision-making, and confidence on every call.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Dosage Calculations and the Formula Method -

    Mastering emt pharmacology requires confidence in dose calculations using the D/H × V formula (Desired dose divided by On-hand dose, multiplied by the volume). For example, if you have 0.1 mg/mL epinephrine and need 0.3 mg, you'd give 3 mL (0.3 mg ÷ 0.1 mg/mL). Practice with sample problems from official EMT textbooks or reputable sites like the National Registry of EMTs to cement your skills.

  2. Routes of Administration and Absorption Rates -

    Understand why different routes (IV, IM, IO, SL, PO) affect onset and bioavailability - IV is fastest, while PO can take up to 30 minutes. In emt pharmacology quizlet sessions, compare times: IV (seconds), IM (5 - 10 min), SL (1 - 3 min). Remember "I SMILE": IM, SL, Inhalation, and subcutaneous lead absorption at varied speeds.

  3. Pharmacodynamics: Mechanism of Action -

    Grasping how drugs interact with receptors (agonist, antagonist, partial agonist) is core to pharmacology EMT practice. For instance, beta-agonists like albuterol bind β2 receptors to relax bronchial smooth muscle. A quick mnemonic is "A.A.A." (Activate, Antagonize, Allosteric) to recall different receptor interactions.

  4. Core EMT Medications: Indications and Contraindications -

    Why should EMTs study pharmacology? Knowing when to administer aspirin for suspected MI, nitroglycerin for chest pain (if systolic > 100 mmHg), or epinephrine in anaphylaxis can save lives. Always review each drug's contraindications - e.g., no nitro if phosphodiesterase inhibitors taken in past 24 hrs - to avoid adverse events.

  5. Mnemonic Tricks for Drug Classification -

    Use memory aids like SLUDGE (Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Diaphoresis, GI upset, Emesis) for cholinergic toxicity or "BATMAN" for beta-blockers (B-Blocker, Asthma caution, Titrate, Monitor heart rate, Avoid abrupt stop, Nonselective warning). These mnemonics turn large lists into bite-sized, quizlet-style recall prompts. Regularly test yourself with flashcards to reinforce classifications in real-time scenarios.

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