Interactive Ready for Review: Interactivities

Along with the dispensing of medications comes the responsibility to learn as much as possible about the medications. Carry a field guide or other reference to look up unfamiliar drugs and . The first rule of EMS is Do no harm.

Good math skills, along with an understanding of the , are imperative to providing the correct dose for the patient. Practice your math skills frequently to stay proficient. The "right" drug must be given at the "right" time to the "right" patient by the "right" route. Administering the wrong medication, using the wrong route, and giving the wrong dose can have disastrous effects.

All equipment used in the administration of medication must be kept sterile to prevent contamination of the patient. Proper procedures must be followed to protect the EMT-I as well. For further protection, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (or OSHA)-recommended needle less systems have made older needle systems increasingly obsolete in an effort to decrease the incidence of needle sticks.

A good rule of thumb for administering medications is the adage that carpenters use: Measure twice, cut once. Applied to medication administration to prevent careless errors, it would read: Figure twice, then administers the medication.

As an EMT-I, you should be familiar with the various routes of medication administration. This includes an understanding of the proper use of equipment and proper anatomic locations for administration.

administration includes the administration of all drugs that may be given through any portion of the digestive tract. The route includes any method of drug administration that does not go through the digestive tract.

The IO route is used when the EMT-I is unable to obtain IV access in a critically ill patient. Any medication or fluid that can be administered via the IV route can be given by the IO route. Owing to potential complications, it is imperative that the EMT-I practice IO skills, as well as the other routes of medication administration, on a regular basis.

When in doubt, always follow local protocols or contact medical control for direction.