REMSA Health Paramedic Program Pharmacology Book - Revised 7/2023 - 47 Drugs

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by dhado

REMSA Health Paramedic Program Pharmacology Book provides a standardized medication protocol for students in paramedic school. It lists 47 commonly used prehospital drugs and supports instruction on medication class, action, indications, contraindications, onset and duration, and dosing by route for adults and pediatrics. The pharmacology entrance exam draws directly from the book and assesses fundamental knowledge using true/false, matching, and short-answer questions, including required study of side effects and notes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages50

Reading Time2 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

About the Pharmacology Book

About the Pharmacology Entrance Exam

Medication Reference (47 Drugs)

Medication Profiles

Acetaminophen (APAP)

Activated Charcoal

Adenosine (Adenocard)

Albuterol (Proventil)

REMSA Health Paramedic Program Pharmacology Book (47 drugs) Revised 07/2023 About the Pharmacology Book The REMSA Health Paramedic Pharmacology book was created to provide all our students with a “protocol” to utilize while in paramedic school. We recognize that our students come from diverse systems and not all medications are available at their workplace. We believe that our students should be educated to their full scope of practice and therefore we have identified 47 of the most common drugs a paramedic might use in the prehospital setting. Throughout class, students will be tested on and expected to administer these medications with the correct dosages in accordance with the REMSA Health Paramedic Program Pharmacology Book. About the Pharmacology Entrance Exam We expect our students to arrive on the first day of class being familiar with various medications, some of which exceed their current scope of practice. To ensure our students are prepared, the pharmacology exam must be passed as apart of our entrance process. The exam is comprised of three parts: true false questions, matching, and short answer. The questions are taken directly from this book and are intended to ensure a fundamental knowledge of these medications. To be successful on the exam, please ensure that you are studying the medication class, action, indications, contraindications, onset and duration, dosage and route. This book will also identify side effects and other notes regarding the medication. You will not be tested on these as a part of this exam however, you will be required to know them as we discuss each medication throughout class. Please reach out to the REMSA Health education department for any questions regarding this exam or the entrance process. Acetaminophen (APAP) Activated Charcoal Adenosine (Adenocard) Albuterol (Proventil) Amiodarone (Cordarone) Aspirin (Salicylate) Atropine Sulfate Calcium Chloride Dextrose 50%, 25%, 10% Diazepam (Valium) Diltiazem (Cardizem) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dopamine (Intropin) Epinephrine (Adrenalin) Epinephrine, Racemic (Micronefrin) Etomidate (Amidate) Fentanyl (Sublimaze) Furosemide (Lasix) Glucagon Haloperidol (Haldol) Hydroxocobalamin Ibuprofen Ipratropium (Atrovent) Ketamine (Ketalar) Lidocaine (Xylocaine) Lorazepam (Ativan) Magnesium Sulfate Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) Metoprolol (Lopressor) Midazolam (Versed) Morphine Sulfate Naloxone (Narcan) Nitroglycerin (Nitro-Stat) Nitro-Paste (Nitro-Bid Ointment) Nitrous Oxide (Nitronox) Norepinephrine (Levophed) Ondansetron (Zofran) Oral Glucose Oxygen Oxytocin (Pitocin) Promethazine (Phenegran) Pralidoxime (2-PAM) Rocuronium Sodium Bicarbonate Succinylcholine (Anectine) Thiamine (Betaxin) Tranexamic Acid (TXA) Acetaminophen (APAP) Class: Analgesic, antipyretic Action: Increases pain threshold by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and reduces fever by acting on the hypothalamus. Has no anti-inflammatory properties or effect on platelets. Indications: Fever, pain relief Contraindications: Caution in patients with liver disease. Onset/Duration: • Onset: 10-30 min PO • Duration: 3-4 hours PO Dose/route: • Adult: 325-1000 mg PO every 4-6 hr • Peds: 15 mg/kg PO/PR every 4-6 hr Side Effects: Nausea/vomiting, hepatotoxicity Activated Charcoal Class: Antidote, adsorbent Action: Binds to and adsorbs ingested toxins thereby inhibiting their GI absorption. Once the drug binds to the charcoal, the combined complex is excreted. Indications: Acute ingested poisonings that were ingested within the last hour Contraindications: Cyanide, mineral acids, caustic alkalis, iron, ethanol, methanol, corrosives, petroleum distillates. Onset/Duration: • Onset: Immediate • Duration: Continual while in GI tract and reaches equilibrium once saturated Dose/Route: • Adult: 25-50g PO/ NG; or 1g/kg • Peds: 12.5g PO/ NG; or 1g/kg Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, ab

FAQs

What is the purpose of the REMSA Health Paramedic Program Pharmacology Book?

It provides a standardized “protocol” of medications for students during paramedic school, including drugs commonly used in the prehospital setting and guidance on administering them correctly.

How does the pharmacology entrance exam work?

The exam includes three parts: true/false, matching, and short answer. Questions are taken directly from the book and focus on fundamental knowledge of medication class, action, indications, contraindications, onset/duration, and dosage/route.

What study areas are required to be successful on the exam?

Students are expected to study the medication class, action, indications, contraindications, onset and duration, dosage and route. Side effects and additional notes are not directly tested, but students must know them during class discussions.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by dhado