emt-basic curriculum module 4

State of WisconsinEMT-Basic: A Practice BasedApproach to EMS Educationh) Ask patient to chew, not swallow whole, tabletsi) Record activity and timej) Perform reassessment and evaluate effect of medication7. Actionsa) Anticoagulant (thrombolytic) “blood thinner”b) Decreases workload of heartc) Mild analgesic8. Side effectsa) Stomach upset9. Reassessment strategiesa) Monitor blood pressureb) Seek medical direction before re-administeringc) Record reassessment findingsB. Nitroglycerin1. Medication namea) Generic - nitroglycerinb) Trade – Nitrostat2. Indications - must have all of the following criteria:a) Patient exhibits signs and symptoms associated withcardiac compromise (e.g. chest pain, pressure ordiscomfort)b) Patient has physician prescribed nitroglycerinc) EMT has authorization by medical direction3. Contraindicationsa) History of hypotensionb) Blood pressure below 100 mmHg systolicc) Head injuryd) Infants and childrene) Patient has already met maximum prescribed dose priorto EMT-Basic arrival4. Medication form - tablet, sub-lingual spray5. Dosage - one dose, repeat in 3-5 minutes if no relief, BP > 100,and authorized by medical direction up to a maximum of threedoses6. Administrationa) Obtain order from medical direction either on-line oroff-lineb) Perform focused assessment for cardiac patientc) Evaluate blood pressure - above 100 mmHg systolicd) Contact medical control if no standing orders existe) Assure right medication, right patient, right route, patientalertf) Check expiration date of nitroglycering) Question patient on last dose administration, effects, andassures understanding of route of administrationModule 4-36