Symptom Relief Medications
Encyclopedia
Symptom relief medications are medication
s that paramedic
s in Ontario
are certified to administer under a base hospital physician
's license. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has established a minimum standard of care for the province, however, base hospitals can add medications at their discretion. The number and type of medications beyond the minimum standard also varies with the paramedic scope of practice (Primary, Advanced or Critical Care Paramedics).
Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) base medications are:
The paramedic is issued a standing order for each use of the medications listed above which includes indications and contraindications for the drugs. Administration of the drugs however, is based solely on the paramedic's judgment.
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Medication
A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
s that paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
s in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
are certified to administer under a base hospital physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
's license. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has established a minimum standard of care for the province, however, base hospitals can add medications at their discretion. The number and type of medications beyond the minimum standard also varies with the paramedic scope of practice (Primary, Advanced or Critical Care Paramedics).
Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) base medications are:
| Generic Name | Trade Name | Indications |
|---|---|---|
| Acetylsalicylic acid | Aspirin | ischemic chest pain, myocardial infarction |
| Epinephrine Epinephrine Epinephrine is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, dilates air passages and participates in the fight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system. In chemical terms, adrenaline is one of a group of monoamines called the catecholamines... |
severe asthma Asthma Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath... exacerbation, and acute anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is defined as "a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death". It typically results in a number of symptoms including throat swelling, an itchy rash, and low blood pressure... |
|
| Glucagon Glucagon Glucagon, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, raises blood glucose levels. Its effect is opposite that of insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels. The pancreas releases glucagon when blood sugar levels fall too low. Glucagon causes the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, which is... (plus glucose, as indicated) |
hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia or hypoglycæmia is the medical term for a state produced by a lower than normal level of blood glucose. The term literally means "under-sweet blood"... |
|
| Nitroglycerin | Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema Pulmonary edema Pulmonary edema , or oedema , is fluid accumulation in the air spaces and parenchyma of the lungs. It leads to impaired gas exchange and may cause respiratory failure... and ischemic chest pain |
|
| Salbutamol Salbutamol Salbutamol or albuterol is a short-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist used for the relief of bronchospasm in conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is marketed as Ventolin among other brand names.... |
Ventolin | Bronchoconstriction |
The paramedic is issued a standing order for each use of the medications listed above which includes indications and contraindications for the drugs. Administration of the drugs however, is based solely on the paramedic's judgment.
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