PARAMEDIC PHARMACOLOGY FINAL 2026
REVISION NOTES AND STRUCTURED
PARAMEDIC MEDICATION OVERVIEW GUIDE
◉ What is the peak time for rapid acting insulin? Answer: 30-60
minutes
◉ What is the peak time for regular insulin? Answer: 2-4 hours
◉ What is the peak time for intermediate acting insulin? Answer: 4-
12 hours
◉ What is the peak time for long acting insulin? Answer: 8-10 hours
◉ What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia? Answer: Cool
and clammy skin, confused, weakness, palpitations, irritable, and
hunger.
Blood glucose: < 60 mg/dL
Numbness or tingling of lips or tongue
,◉ What are the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia? Answer: The
3 Ps: Polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria, weakness, headache, and
blurred vision.
Later signs include pruritus, dry mouth, confusion, fruity odor of the
breath, abdominal pain, or coma (DKA).
Blood glucose: > 200 mg/dL
Acetone breath
◉ Which medication would a nurse anticipate to administer to a
patient before administering a blood transfusion? Answer:
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
◉ What are the allergic reactions to a blood transfusion? Answer:
◉ What are isotonic IV fluids? Answer: A solution used to replace or
maintain fluid and electrolyte levels.
Examples: 0.9% NS, Lactated Ringers, and D5W
◉ What are hypotonic IV fluids? Answer: A solution with lower
concentration of stuff on the outside of the cell causing the fluids to
move into the cell causing the cell to swell.
, This type of solution is used to rehydrate the patient.
0.45% NS, 0.25% NS, 2.5% Dextrose
◉ What are hypertonic IV fluids? Answer: A solution with higher
concentration of stuff on the outside of the cell causing the fluids to
leave the cell and causing the cell to shrink.
This type of solutions is used to reduce swelling.
D5 0.5% NS, D10W
◉ How would you safely administer narcotics? Answer: Ask about
allergies.
Obtain baseline vitals.
Assess respiratory functions.
Ask about any constipation issues.
Needs 2 people to verify and waste.
◉ What is the antidote for overdose of opioids? Answer: Naloxone
(Narcan)
REVISION NOTES AND STRUCTURED
PARAMEDIC MEDICATION OVERVIEW GUIDE
◉ What is the peak time for rapid acting insulin? Answer: 30-60
minutes
◉ What is the peak time for regular insulin? Answer: 2-4 hours
◉ What is the peak time for intermediate acting insulin? Answer: 4-
12 hours
◉ What is the peak time for long acting insulin? Answer: 8-10 hours
◉ What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia? Answer: Cool
and clammy skin, confused, weakness, palpitations, irritable, and
hunger.
Blood glucose: < 60 mg/dL
Numbness or tingling of lips or tongue
,◉ What are the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia? Answer: The
3 Ps: Polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria, weakness, headache, and
blurred vision.
Later signs include pruritus, dry mouth, confusion, fruity odor of the
breath, abdominal pain, or coma (DKA).
Blood glucose: > 200 mg/dL
Acetone breath
◉ Which medication would a nurse anticipate to administer to a
patient before administering a blood transfusion? Answer:
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
◉ What are the allergic reactions to a blood transfusion? Answer:
◉ What are isotonic IV fluids? Answer: A solution used to replace or
maintain fluid and electrolyte levels.
Examples: 0.9% NS, Lactated Ringers, and D5W
◉ What are hypotonic IV fluids? Answer: A solution with lower
concentration of stuff on the outside of the cell causing the fluids to
move into the cell causing the cell to swell.
, This type of solution is used to rehydrate the patient.
0.45% NS, 0.25% NS, 2.5% Dextrose
◉ What are hypertonic IV fluids? Answer: A solution with higher
concentration of stuff on the outside of the cell causing the fluids to
leave the cell and causing the cell to shrink.
This type of solutions is used to reduce swelling.
D5 0.5% NS, D10W
◉ How would you safely administer narcotics? Answer: Ask about
allergies.
Obtain baseline vitals.
Assess respiratory functions.
Ask about any constipation issues.
Needs 2 people to verify and waste.
◉ What is the antidote for overdose of opioids? Answer: Naloxone
(Narcan)
