EMSA 2520 - Pharmacology for the Paramedic 1

Credit Hours: 3.00

Objectives:

1. The student will be aware of the history, regulation, and classification of drugs.
2. Understand the concepts of pharmokinetics, biotransformation, therapeutic levels, and excretion of drugs.
3. Demonstrate his/her ability to correctly select, administer, document, and then resupply drugs pursuant to applicable protocol.

Outcome 2:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to correctly and safely administer drugs through various routes.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate the proper technique for administration of a prescribed drug through various routes. These routes include but are not limited to: oral, mucosal, aerosolized, IM, subcutaneous, transdermal, and IV.
2. Display the practiced and proficient psychomotor techniques for the administration of drugs through various routes.
3. Utilize all safety precautions such as assessing for allergies, utilizing protective equipment, and disposing of unused drugs or administration equipment.

Outcome 3:
Upon completion of this course, students will be proficient at calculations that would administer the correct dosage of medication to a real or simulated patient.

Objectives:

1. Proficiently calculate a patient’s weight in metric units.
2. Understand the correlation between the mass of a drug with the volume of solution in which the drug is suspended.
3. Correctly calculate the prescribed dosage and administer it via the solution on hand.

Outcome 4:
Upon completion of this course, students will identify the underlying physiology that is being targeted by respiratory, neurological, cardiac drugs as well as drugs used in allergic reactions.

Objectives:

1. Identify the relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, and how the balance in manipulated by medications.
2. Identify the physiology, including the properties of specific receptor sites, of the respiratory, neurological, cardiac, and immunological systems.

Outcome 5:
Upon completion of this course, students will define the importance of interstitial, intra and extra cellular fluid and electrolytes.

Objectives:

1. Describe the significance of electrolytes, as well know which electrolytes are intracellular, and which are extracellular.
2. Describe the concept of osmotic pressure, and appreciate its importance in homeostasis.
3. Describe the balance of acid and base, appreciate its significance in homeostasis, and be able to manage it through ventilation, diuretics, and alkalizing agents.

Outcome 6:
Upon completion of this course, students will differentiate the role of IV fluids as routes for drug administration, volume expanders, as well as their function as hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic solutions.

Objectives:

1. Differentiate the correlation between osmotic pressure as it relates to hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic solutions.
2. Correctly select a hypertonic, isotonic, or hypotonic solution based upon the needs of the patient.
3. Correctly calculate and administer a fluid bolus based upon the needs of the patient.
4. Establish an IV solution to act as a transport for medication.

Module 2: Drug Administration

Module 3: Fluids and Electrolytes/Acid Base

Module 4: Condition Specific Drugs