EMT EMT Pharmacology and Medications 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which medication is an EMT authorized to administer for a patient experiencing anaphylaxis?
- Epinephrine auto-injector (Correct answer)
- Diphenhydramine IV
- Methylprednisolone
- Albuterol nebulizer
Correct answer: Epinephrine auto-injector
EMTs are authorized to assist with or administer epinephrine via auto-injector for life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Question 2: What is the correct adult dose of aspirin an EMT should administer to a patient with suspected acute MI?
- 81–325 mg chewed (Correct answer)
- 500 mg swallowed
- 650 mg crushed
- 160 mg dissolved
Correct answer: 81–325 mg chewed
The standard dose is 160–325 mg (often one to four 81 mg tablets) chewed to speed absorption during a suspected MI.
Question 3: Which of the following is a contraindication for administering nitroglycerin to a chest pain patient?
- Systolic BP below 90 mmHg (Correct answer)
- Heart rate above 80 bpm
- SpO2 of 96%
- Pain rated 8/10
Correct answer: Systolic BP below 90 mmHg
Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation and can dangerously drop blood pressure further if it is already below 90 mmHg.
Question 4: Oral glucose is indicated for a diabetic patient who has an altered mental status and:
- Can protect their own airway (Correct answer)
- Is unresponsive
- Has a blood glucose of 200 mg/dL
- Is vomiting
Correct answer: Can protect their own airway
Oral glucose is only safe when the patient is conscious enough to swallow and protect their airway to prevent aspiration.
Question 5: Activated charcoal is used to treat poisoning by:
- Adsorbing the toxin in the GI tract (Correct answer)
- Neutralizing stomach acid
- Inducing vomiting
- Speeding kidney excretion
Correct answer: Adsorbing the toxin in the GI tract
Activated charcoal binds (adsorbs) many ingested toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing systemic absorption.
Question 6: What is the primary route of administration for a prescribed albuterol inhaler assist by an EMT?
- Inhalation (Correct answer)
- Sublingual
- Intramuscular
- Intravenous
Correct answer: Inhalation
Albuterol is a bronchodilator delivered by inhalation directly into the airways to relieve bronchospasm.
EMT EMT Pharmacology and Medications 1
Which medication is an EMT authorized to administer for a patient experiencing anaphylaxis?