PARAMEDIC & PHARMACOLOGY EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Activated Charcoal: Indications - CORRECT ANSWER -Used to treat certain types of
poisonings and overdoses.
Activated Charcoal: Administration - CORRECT ANSWER -Administered PO.
Activated Charcoal: Dosage - CORRECT ANSWER -Adult:
50g.
Pediatric:
1g/kg.
Activated Charcoal: Therapeutic Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Binds and absorbs various
chemicals and poisonous compounds, thereby reducing their absorption into the body.
Activated Charcoal: Contraindications - CORRECT ANSWER -Caustic/Corrosive substances.
Cyanide poisonings.
Semiconscious or unconscious patients.
Activated Charcoal: Side Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Abdominal cramping, constipation,
dark stools, nausea, and vomiting.
Activated Charcoal: Special Notes/Restrictions - CORRECT ANSWER -Does not absorb all
drugs or toxic substances (i.e., cyanide, lithium, iron, lead, arsenic, etc.).
Has no effect in methanol or organophosphate poisonings.
Has little therapeutic value in caustic alkalis and acid poisonings.
Should not be given with ice cream, milk, sherbet, or syrup of ipecac.
Adenosine (Adenocard): Indications - CORRECT ANSWER -Paroxysmal supraventricular
tachycardia.
Supraventricular tachycardia.
Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome.
Adenosine (Adenocard): Administration - CORRECT ANSWER -Rapid intravenous (IV), rapid
intraosseous (IO) followed by normal saline (NS) flush.
,Adenosine (Adenocard): Dosage - CORRECT ANSWER -Adult:
Supraventricular tachycardia: initial 6 mg IV bolus over 1 to 2 seconds, increase to 12 mg
every 1 to 2 minutes as needed for 2 doses, maximum single dose 12 mg.
Pediatric:
Initial: 0.1 mg/kg intravenous pyelogram (IVP) (max: 6 mg).
Repeat: 0.2 mg/kg IVP (max: 12 mg).
Adenosine (Adenocard): Therapeutic Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Slows conduction time
through atrioventricular (AV) node.
Interrupts reentry pathways through AV node.
Restores sinus rhythm in patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
Adenosine (Adenocard): Contraindications - CORRECT ANSWER -Hypersensitivity to
adenosine.
Second- or third-degree AV block.
Sinus node dysfunction, such as sick sinus syndrome or symptomatic bradycardia.
Atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation.
Sick sinus syndrome.
Ventricular tachycardia.
Adenosine (Adenocard): Side Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Transient AV block, asystole, and
other dysrhythmias.
Chest pressure.
Dizziness.
Flushing.
Nausea.
Shortness of breath.
Adenosine (Adenocard): Special Notes/Restrictions - CORRECT ANSWER -Onset is generally
within less than 1 minute.
Adverse effects are usually short-lived and easily tolerated.
Effects may be more pronounced in patients on dipyridamole.
Effects may be attenuated in patients on theophylline preparations.
,Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Indications - CORRECT ANSWER -Acute bronchospasm.
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Administration - CORRECT ANSWER -Handheld nebulizer,
nebulizer mask, endotracheal tube (ETT).
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Dosage - CORRECT ANSWER -Adult:
2.5 mg/3 cc normal saline solution (NSS)
Pediatric:
2.5 mg 3 cc NSS
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Therapeutic Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Decreases
bronchospasm via beta receptors.
Improves pulmonary function.
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Contraindications - CORRECT ANSWER -Hypersensitivity to
any of the contents of the solution.
Tachydysrhythmias.
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Side Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Cough.
Dizziness or nervousness.
Nausea.
Tachycardia.
Tremor.
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Special Notes/Restrictions - CORRECT ANSWER -May be put
down the ETT in intubated asthmatics or COPD patients.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Indications - CORRECT ANSWER -Ventricular fibrillation,
ventricular tachycardia, rapid atrial fibrillation, rapid atrial flutter, SVT.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Administration - CORRECT ANSWER -IVP or IV infusion.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Dosage - CORRECT ANSWER -Adult:
Pulseless ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT) - Initial: 300 mg IVP.
Pulseless VF/VT - Repeat: 150 mg IVP.
Rapid atrial fibrillation/flutter: 2.5 to 5 mg/kg slow IVP.
Rapid atrial fibrillation/flutter (alternative): 150 mg/100 cc D5W over 10 minutes.
SVT: 2.5 to 5 mg/kg IVP.
, SVT (alternative): 150 mg/100 cc D5W over 10 minutes.
SVT: 2.5 to 5 mg/kg slow IVP.
SVT (alternative): 150 mg/100 cc D5W over 10 minutes.
Pulseless VF/VT: 5 mg/kg IVP.
Pediatric:
Rapid atrial fibrillation/flutter: 5 mg/kg IV over 20 to 60 minutes.
SVT: 5 mg/kg IV over 20 to 60 minutes.
SVT: 5 mg/kg IV over 10 minutes.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Therapeutic Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Prolongs action potential
and refractory period.
Reduces ventricular dysrhythmias and raises fibrillatory threshold.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Contraindications - CORRECT ANSWER -Cardiogenic shock.
Hypersensitivity to amiodarone.
Second- or third-degree AV block.
Severe sinus bradycardia.
Severe sinus node dysfunction.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Side Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Hypotension.
Bradycardia, asystole, and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Special Notes/Restrictions - CORRECT ANSWER -Serial use of
calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, and other antiarrhythmics may cause additive
hypotensive, bradycardic, and proarrhythmogenic effects.
Draw up slowly to prevent bubbling.
Aspirin: Indications - CORRECT ANSWER -Myocardial infarction (MI), chest pain.
Aspirin: Administration - CORRECT ANSWER -Chewed PO.
Aspirin: Dosage - CORRECT ANSWER -Adult:
4 baby aspirin (81 mg each).
Pediatric:
Not indicated.
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Activated Charcoal: Indications - CORRECT ANSWER -Used to treat certain types of
poisonings and overdoses.
Activated Charcoal: Administration - CORRECT ANSWER -Administered PO.
Activated Charcoal: Dosage - CORRECT ANSWER -Adult:
50g.
Pediatric:
1g/kg.
Activated Charcoal: Therapeutic Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Binds and absorbs various
chemicals and poisonous compounds, thereby reducing their absorption into the body.
Activated Charcoal: Contraindications - CORRECT ANSWER -Caustic/Corrosive substances.
Cyanide poisonings.
Semiconscious or unconscious patients.
Activated Charcoal: Side Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Abdominal cramping, constipation,
dark stools, nausea, and vomiting.
Activated Charcoal: Special Notes/Restrictions - CORRECT ANSWER -Does not absorb all
drugs or toxic substances (i.e., cyanide, lithium, iron, lead, arsenic, etc.).
Has no effect in methanol or organophosphate poisonings.
Has little therapeutic value in caustic alkalis and acid poisonings.
Should not be given with ice cream, milk, sherbet, or syrup of ipecac.
Adenosine (Adenocard): Indications - CORRECT ANSWER -Paroxysmal supraventricular
tachycardia.
Supraventricular tachycardia.
Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome.
Adenosine (Adenocard): Administration - CORRECT ANSWER -Rapid intravenous (IV), rapid
intraosseous (IO) followed by normal saline (NS) flush.
,Adenosine (Adenocard): Dosage - CORRECT ANSWER -Adult:
Supraventricular tachycardia: initial 6 mg IV bolus over 1 to 2 seconds, increase to 12 mg
every 1 to 2 minutes as needed for 2 doses, maximum single dose 12 mg.
Pediatric:
Initial: 0.1 mg/kg intravenous pyelogram (IVP) (max: 6 mg).
Repeat: 0.2 mg/kg IVP (max: 12 mg).
Adenosine (Adenocard): Therapeutic Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Slows conduction time
through atrioventricular (AV) node.
Interrupts reentry pathways through AV node.
Restores sinus rhythm in patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
Adenosine (Adenocard): Contraindications - CORRECT ANSWER -Hypersensitivity to
adenosine.
Second- or third-degree AV block.
Sinus node dysfunction, such as sick sinus syndrome or symptomatic bradycardia.
Atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation.
Sick sinus syndrome.
Ventricular tachycardia.
Adenosine (Adenocard): Side Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Transient AV block, asystole, and
other dysrhythmias.
Chest pressure.
Dizziness.
Flushing.
Nausea.
Shortness of breath.
Adenosine (Adenocard): Special Notes/Restrictions - CORRECT ANSWER -Onset is generally
within less than 1 minute.
Adverse effects are usually short-lived and easily tolerated.
Effects may be more pronounced in patients on dipyridamole.
Effects may be attenuated in patients on theophylline preparations.
,Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Indications - CORRECT ANSWER -Acute bronchospasm.
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Administration - CORRECT ANSWER -Handheld nebulizer,
nebulizer mask, endotracheal tube (ETT).
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Dosage - CORRECT ANSWER -Adult:
2.5 mg/3 cc normal saline solution (NSS)
Pediatric:
2.5 mg 3 cc NSS
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Therapeutic Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Decreases
bronchospasm via beta receptors.
Improves pulmonary function.
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Contraindications - CORRECT ANSWER -Hypersensitivity to
any of the contents of the solution.
Tachydysrhythmias.
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Side Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Cough.
Dizziness or nervousness.
Nausea.
Tachycardia.
Tremor.
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil): Special Notes/Restrictions - CORRECT ANSWER -May be put
down the ETT in intubated asthmatics or COPD patients.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Indications - CORRECT ANSWER -Ventricular fibrillation,
ventricular tachycardia, rapid atrial fibrillation, rapid atrial flutter, SVT.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Administration - CORRECT ANSWER -IVP or IV infusion.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Dosage - CORRECT ANSWER -Adult:
Pulseless ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT) - Initial: 300 mg IVP.
Pulseless VF/VT - Repeat: 150 mg IVP.
Rapid atrial fibrillation/flutter: 2.5 to 5 mg/kg slow IVP.
Rapid atrial fibrillation/flutter (alternative): 150 mg/100 cc D5W over 10 minutes.
SVT: 2.5 to 5 mg/kg IVP.
, SVT (alternative): 150 mg/100 cc D5W over 10 minutes.
SVT: 2.5 to 5 mg/kg slow IVP.
SVT (alternative): 150 mg/100 cc D5W over 10 minutes.
Pulseless VF/VT: 5 mg/kg IVP.
Pediatric:
Rapid atrial fibrillation/flutter: 5 mg/kg IV over 20 to 60 minutes.
SVT: 5 mg/kg IV over 20 to 60 minutes.
SVT: 5 mg/kg IV over 10 minutes.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Therapeutic Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Prolongs action potential
and refractory period.
Reduces ventricular dysrhythmias and raises fibrillatory threshold.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Contraindications - CORRECT ANSWER -Cardiogenic shock.
Hypersensitivity to amiodarone.
Second- or third-degree AV block.
Severe sinus bradycardia.
Severe sinus node dysfunction.
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Side Effects - CORRECT ANSWER -Hypotension.
Bradycardia, asystole, and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).
Amiodarone (Cordarone): Special Notes/Restrictions - CORRECT ANSWER -Serial use of
calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, and other antiarrhythmics may cause additive
hypotensive, bradycardic, and proarrhythmogenic effects.
Draw up slowly to prevent bubbling.
Aspirin: Indications - CORRECT ANSWER -Myocardial infarction (MI), chest pain.
Aspirin: Administration - CORRECT ANSWER -Chewed PO.
Aspirin: Dosage - CORRECT ANSWER -Adult:
4 baby aspirin (81 mg each).
Pediatric:
Not indicated.
