Quick & Easy Guide to NREMT Medications and Interventions

Studying for the NREMT can feel overwhelming—so many medications, dosages, and interventions to remember! To simplify things, here's a concise, quick-reference guide covering the essentials you'll need for the exam and real-life emergencies.

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Key Medications You Need to Know

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Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)

Indications: Non-traumatic chest pain (suspected heart attack)

Dose: 324 mg orally (chewable preferred)

What it does: Reduces clot formation to help prevent worsening of a heart attack, is an anti-inflammatory, and an antipyretic.

Contraindications:

Allergy or hypersensitivity to aspirin or other NSAIDs

Active gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers

Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia, thrombocytopenia)

Severe liver or kidney disease

Pediatric patients

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Activated Charcoal

Indications: Poisoning or overdose within the first hour

Dose: 1g/kg orally

What it does: Binds toxins in the stomach to prevent absorption

Contraindications:

Ingestion of acids, alkalis, or hydrocarbons

Comatose patients

Simultaneous administration with other oral drugs

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Albuterol

Indications: Bronchospasms (e.g., asthma, COPD) and wheezing

Dose: 2.5 mg via nebulizer (6-8LPM)

Route: Inhalation

What it does: Relaxes airway muscles to improve breathing

Contraindications: None

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Epinephrine (1:1000)

Indications: Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

Dose: 0.3–0.5 mg adult, 0.15 mg pediatric; intramuscularly

What it does: Opens airways, increases blood pressure, and reduces allergic response

Contraindications: None—administer to save lives first!

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Naloxone (Narcan)

Indications: Opioid overdose with respiratory depression

Dose: 0.4 mg (IN)

What it does: Reverses opioid effects, restores breathing

Contraindications: None—administer immediately if opioid overdose is suspected

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Nitroglycerin

Indications: Chest pain from suspected heart issues

Dose: 0.4 mg sublingual, every 5 minutes as needed

What it does: Dilates blood vessels to improve blood flow and reduce chest pain

Contraindications:

Systolic BP <90 mmHg

Recent use of erectile dysfunction medications

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Oral Glucose

Indications: Hypoglycemia

Dose: 15 g orally

What it does: Raises blood sugar quickly to provide energy

Contraindications: Patient unable to swallow or unconscious

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Essential Interventions

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Airway Management

Oropharyngeal/Nasopharyngeal Airways: For unresponsive patients without a gag reflex

Endotracheal Intubation: For advanced airway management

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Oxygen Administration

Indications: Signs of hypoxia

Methods:

Nasal cannula (1–6 L/min)

Non-rebreather mask (10–15 L/min)

Bag-valve mask (15 L/min)

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CPR

Adult: 30 compressions: 2 breaths, compress 2 inches deep

Child: 30:2, compress 2 inches

Infant: 30:2, compress 1.5 inches

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Defibrillation

Indications: Ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia

Contraindications:

Patient has a pulse

Asystole (flatline)

Pads placed directly over a pacemaker or ICD (adjust placement)

Patient is in water or on a wet/conductive surface

Pads touching metal surfaces

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Spinal Immobilization

Indications: Suspected spinal injuries

Equipment: Cervical collar, backboard, head immobilization

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Bleeding Control

Methods: Direct pressure, elevation, hemostatic dressings, tourniquet if needed

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Trauma Assessment

Primary Survey (ABCDE): Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure

Secondary Survey: Head-to-toe check, vital signs, SAMPLE history

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Quick Tips to Remember

The 5 Rights: Right patient, medication, dose, route, time

Know Your Contraindications: Never administer a medication if it could harm the patient

Practice Skills Often: Hands-on practice beats memorization

Stay Updated: EMT protocols evolve, so keep your knowledge current

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Final Thoughts

Studying for the NREMT doesn't have to be overwhelming. Keep this guide handy, review it frequently, and practice your skills. With time and repetition, these medications and interventions will become second nature.

Medceptor is here to help you practice all of this in realistic scenarios, track your progress, and get personalized feedback. Ready to take your EMT skills to the next level? Try Medceptor today and see how quickly you can master medications and interventions!