Pharmacology

5 free sample questions of the 27 in this topic. The full set is in the app.

1. Question 1

   Per the National EMS Scope of Practice (2019 + Change Notices 1.0/2.0), which medication administration ROUTE was added to the EMT scope in 2021?

   • A.Subcutaneous (SC)
   • B.Intramuscular (IM)
   • C.Intravenous (IV)
   • D.Intraosseous (IO)
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: B. Intramuscular (IM)

   Change Notice 1.0 (March 2021) added intramuscular (IM) injection to the EMT scope, primarily to support EMT-administered vaccines and intramuscular epinephrine outside an auto-injector when appropriate.

   Source: National EMS Scope of Practice Model 2019 (incl. Change Notices 1.0 & 2.0) — Change Notice 1.0 — Medication Administration > Route > Intramuscular added

2. Question 2

   The 'six rights' of medication administration include all EXCEPT:

   • A.Right patient, right medication
   • B.Right dose, right route
   • C.Right time, right documentation
   • D.Right brand-name (always require the brand, not generic)
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: D. Right brand-name (always require the brand, not generic)

   The six rights: right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation. The generic vs. brand-name choice is not one of the six rights — therapeutic equivalence governs that.

   Source: National EMS Education Standards 2021 — Pharmacology > Principles of Pharmacology > Medication safety (EMT: F,F)

3. Question 3

   The trade (brand) name for the drug whose generic name is 'naloxone' is most commonly:

   • A.Narcan
   • B.EpiPen
   • C.Glucagen
   • D.Albuterol
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: A. Narcan

   Naloxone (generic) is most familiarly sold as Narcan (brand). It is an opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory depression caused by opioid overdose.

   Source: National EMS Education Standards 2021 — Pharmacology > Principles of Pharmacology > Naming (EMT: F,F)

4. Question 4

   Which medication is typically carried on the EMT-Basic ambulance and may be administered or assisted for a patient with chest pain consistent with ACS?

   • A.Aspirin (chewable, 162–325 mg)
   • B.Furosemide
   • C.Heparin
   • D.Warfarin
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: A. Aspirin (chewable, 162–325 mg)

   Chewable aspirin 162–325 mg is given to suspected ACS/STEMI patients without aspirin contraindications. It is anti-platelet, reduces clot growth, and improves outcomes. The other listed drugs are not in EMT scope.

   Source: National EMS Education Standards 2021 — Pharmacology > Acute Medications (EMT level)

5. Question 5

   Before assisting a patient with their prescribed nitroglycerin for chest pain, the EMT must verify the systolic blood pressure is at least:

   • A.80 mmHg
   • B.90 mmHg (commonly ≥100 per local protocol)
   • C.120 mmHg
   • D.140 mmHg
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: B. 90 mmHg (commonly ≥100 per local protocol)

   Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation and can drop BP. Most protocols require systolic BP ≥100 mmHg (some 90+) before administration. Also screen for recent erectile-dysfunction medication use (PDE-5 inhibitors) — those are absolute contraindications.

   Source: National EMS Education Standards 2021 — Pharmacology > Acute Medications > Contraindications (EMT: F,S)

22 more Pharmacology questions are in the app, along with explanations and flashcards for every one.

OnScene is an independent study aid based on the NREMT EMT Examination Specifications (2023 Practice Analysis), the National EMS Education Standards 2021, the National EMS Scope of Practice Model 2019, and the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the NREMT, NHTSA, the American Heart Association, or any other organization.