PARAMEDIC PHARMACOLOGY FINAL 2026
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE EMS DRUG ACTIONS
AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS
◉ In contrast to epinephrine, norepinephrine Answer: Primarily
stimulates alpha receptors
◉ Catecholamines and sympathomimetic medications should be
administered with caution because they: Answer: Can increases
cardiac workload and myocardial oxygen demand
◉ All of the following medications fall in the same classification,
EXCEPT: Answer: Diazepam
◉ During a study, a patient experiences measurable clinical
improvement or unexplained adverse effects after receiving a
medication with no pharmacologic properties. This is referred to as:
Answer: The Placebo Effect
◉ In order to cause a negative inotropic effect on the heart, you
would have to administer a(n): Answer: Beta-1 adrenergic
antagonist
, ◉ A patient takes 500 mg of a medication that has a half life of 2
hours. How much medication will be in the patients body after 6
hours? Answer: 62.5 mg
◉ Narcotic analgesics relieve pain by: Answer: Stimulating opioid
receptors
◉ As a medication undergoes biotransformation, it becomes a(n):
Answer: Metabolite
◉ All of the following are common sites for emergency IO
cannulation, EXCEPT the: Answer: Iliac crest
◉ A drug that possesses the same desired clinical effect in several
smaller doses as it does in a larger single dose has demonstrated:
Answer: Cumulative action
◉ A medication is called an antagonist if: Answer: It has a higher
affinity for the receptor site that the chemical mediator
◉ Compared to schedule III drugs, schedule IV drugs: Answer: Have
a lower abuse potential and include medications such as a diazepam
(Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan)
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE EMS DRUG ACTIONS
AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS
◉ In contrast to epinephrine, norepinephrine Answer: Primarily
stimulates alpha receptors
◉ Catecholamines and sympathomimetic medications should be
administered with caution because they: Answer: Can increases
cardiac workload and myocardial oxygen demand
◉ All of the following medications fall in the same classification,
EXCEPT: Answer: Diazepam
◉ During a study, a patient experiences measurable clinical
improvement or unexplained adverse effects after receiving a
medication with no pharmacologic properties. This is referred to as:
Answer: The Placebo Effect
◉ In order to cause a negative inotropic effect on the heart, you
would have to administer a(n): Answer: Beta-1 adrenergic
antagonist
, ◉ A patient takes 500 mg of a medication that has a half life of 2
hours. How much medication will be in the patients body after 6
hours? Answer: 62.5 mg
◉ Narcotic analgesics relieve pain by: Answer: Stimulating opioid
receptors
◉ As a medication undergoes biotransformation, it becomes a(n):
Answer: Metabolite
◉ All of the following are common sites for emergency IO
cannulation, EXCEPT the: Answer: Iliac crest
◉ A drug that possesses the same desired clinical effect in several
smaller doses as it does in a larger single dose has demonstrated:
Answer: Cumulative action
◉ A medication is called an antagonist if: Answer: It has a higher
affinity for the receptor site that the chemical mediator
◉ Compared to schedule III drugs, schedule IV drugs: Answer: Have
a lower abuse potential and include medications such as a diazepam
(Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan)
