There is a limited list of medications that EMTs are permitted to administer. These medications can be administered by EMTs in Pennsylvania, but be aware that this list varies from state to state.
Aspirin (ASA)
- Dose: 325 mg (follow local protocol)
- Administration: oral (chewable)
- Indications: chest pain, MI
- Contraindications: ASA-induced asthma, hx of active bleeding disorder, GI bleed
- Actions: inhibits platelet aggregation, mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent
Epinephrine
- Dose: Adult Epipen (0.3 mg IM), Pediatric Epipen (0.15 mg IM)
- Administration: IM injection
- Indications: anaphylaxis
- Contraindications: caution in patients with heart disease
- Actions: vasoconstriction, bronchodilation, increases HR and BP
Naloxone
- Dose: 0.4 mg (IM), 2 mg in 2 mL (1 mL in each nostril) (IN)
- Administration: IM, IN (Narcan nasal spray)
- Indications: suspected opioid overdose
- Contraindications: hypersensitivity to naloxone hydrochloride
- Actions: opioid antagonist
Nitroglycerin (NTG)
- Dose: 0.4 mg
- Administration: SL (tablet or spray)
- Indications: chest pain, MI, CHF
- Contraindications: known hypersensitive, hypotension (SBP<90), recent ED drug
- Actions: dilates blood vessels including coronary arteries and reduces cardiac workload
Oral Glucose
- Dose: 25 grams (follow local protocol)
- Administration: oral (pt must be able to swallow and protect airway)
- Indications: hypoglycemia (measured BGL <60 mg/dL)
- Contraindications: unconscious and unable to protect airway
- Actions: absorbed by GI tract and provides glucose to cells
Oxygen (O2)
- Administration:
- Nasal Cannula: 1-6 lpm, 25-45% O2
- Non-Rebreather Mask: 10-15 lpm, up to 90% O2
- BVM: 10-15 lpm, up to 100% O2
- Indications: hypoxia, respiratory distress, chest pain
- Contraindications: none
- Actions: absorbed into blood from lungs and carried by hemoglobin to cells
Six Rights of Drug Administration
- Person, drug, dose, time, route, documentation