PMD-1020 Pharmacology, IV Therapy, and Med Math

Credits 3
Provides the paramedic student with the knowledge to be able to integrate pathophysiological principles of pharmacology and the assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement a pharmacological management plan. This will include a review of mathematical principles as they relate to the field of emergency medicine. At the completion of the course, the student will be able to calculate drug dosages, safely and precisely access the venous circulation, and safely and precisely administer medications via the route necessary to appropriately treat a medical or trauma emergency.
Prerequisite(s): Program admission
Corequisite(s): PMD-1000, PMD-1010, and PMD-1050
2 class/3 lab hours.
Course Outcomes

Identify the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the major body systems relevant to prehospital pharmacology and medication administration, as prescribed in the current paramedic national education standards.
Identify the purpose, actions, indications, contraindications, side effects, expected responses, and standard dosage of specific medications, as prescribed in the current paramedic national education standards.
Select the proper procedure for access of the venous circulation and medication administration, as prescribed in the current paramedic national education standards.
Identify the foundations of pharmacology including medical-legal issues, terminology, drug forms, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and routes of medication administration, as prescribed in the current paramedic national education standards.
Select correct medication dosages and IV/IO infusion rates for accurate medication administration, and the most common methods of calculation, as prescribed in the current paramedic national education standards.
Convert between U.S. Customary Weights and Measures System and the metric system for medication dosage calculations, as prescribed in the current paramedic national education standards.