Describe the principles of pharmacology.

Description should include

  • fundamentals of medication safety
  • forms and routes of medication used during an emergency
  • definition of general pharmacological terms, such as trade namesgeneric namesindicationscontraindicationsside effectsactionsdosage, and route
  • medication legislation related to medication
  • naming and classifications of medication
  • medication interactions
  • adverse drug reactions
  • metabolism and excretion
  • mechanism of action
  • medication response relationships.

Process/Skill Questions:

  • Why do medications have multiple names, such as trade names, generic names, and brand names?
  • What information should be given to medical control to obtain permission, when appropriate, to assist a patient with their medication?
  • What are the indications, contraindications, side effects, actions, and dosages of medications with which EMTs are allowed to assist?