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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

Paramedic Drug Quiz: Can You Master EMS Medications?

Ready for the ultimate EMS drug knowledge test? Dive in!

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Lynsey MahoskeyUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art illustration showing stethoscope syringe pill bottle clipboard on coral background promoting paramedic drug quiz

This Paramedic Drug Quiz helps you practice EMS medications - dosages, indications, contraindications, and routes - so you can think fast under pressure. Use it to spot gaps before your next exam or shift; pair it with the EMT pharmacology review and med math practice for a solid refresh.

What is the standard adult dose of epinephrine for anaphylaxis given IM to the lateral thigh (using 1 mg/mL)?
1 mg IM
0.3 mg IM
3 mg IM
0.1 mg IM
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In adult cardiac arrest, which epinephrine formulation and dose are correct for IV/IO administration every 3-5 minutes?
0.3 mg of 1 mg/mL (1:1,000)
1 mg of 0.1 mg/mL (1:10,000)
3 mg of 0.1 mg/mL (1:10,000)
1 mg of 1 mg/mL (1:1,000)
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What is the appropriate initial IV dose of adenosine for stable, regular, narrow-complex SVT?
6 mg rapid IV push followed by a flush
12 mg slow IV push over 2 minutes
2 mg rapid IV push followed by a flush
18 mg slow IV infusion over 10 minutes
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For refractory VF/pulseless VT, which amiodarone bolus dose is recommended first-line after defibrillation and epinephrine?
75 mg IV/IO
300 mg IV/IO
450 mg IV/IO
150 mg IV/IO
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What is the recommended aspirin dose for suspected ACS in the field if not contraindicated?
81 mg swallow whole
324 mg chewable (or 162-325 mg total)
50 mg IV
650 mg chewable
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What is the standard adult nebulized dose of albuterol for bronchospasm?
10 mg IM
5 mg IV push
0.5 mg nebulized in 2 mL NS
2.5 mg nebulized in 3 mL NS
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What is the typical adult nebulized dose of ipratropium bromide for COPD/asthma exacerbation?
0.5 mg nebulized
50 mcg IN
5 mg nebulized
1 mg IM
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What is the current adult atropine dose for symptomatic bradycardia?
3 mg IV bolus once
2 mg IV every minute to a max of 10 mg
1 mg IV every 3-5 minutes to a max of 3 mg
0.5 mg IV once
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How long after sildenafil use is nitroglycerin contraindicated in suspected ACS?
Within 6 hours
There is no interaction
Within 24 hours
Within 72 hours
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Which dextrose strategy is preferred in many modern EMS protocols for adult hypoglycemia to minimize overshoot hyperglycemia?
D50 IV bolus regardless of response
Titrated D10 IV to clinical improvement
Oral sucrose only
D25 IV push in all adults
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Which naloxone approach best treats opioid respiratory depression while reducing risk of severe withdrawal?
0.4 mg IV titrated to adequate respirations
4 mg IV bolus immediately
10 mg IM bolus initially
8 mg IN bilaterally as the first dose
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Which is the best indication for calcium chloride administration in the field?
Uncomplicated sinus tachycardia
Simple dehydration
Isolated anxiety
Hyperkalemia with ECG changes
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Which prehospital scenario is an established indication for sodium bicarbonate therapy?
Simple hyperglycemia
Stable angina
Tricyclic antidepressant overdose with wide QRS
Asthma exacerbation
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Choose the usual IM dissociative dose of ketamine for adult procedural sedation or RSI premedication.
10 mg/kg IM
0.5 mg/kg IM
4 mg/kg IM
0.2 mg/kg IM
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Which is a contraindication to succinylcholine administration for RSI?
Acute stroke within 1 hour
Crush or major burn injury occurring more than 24 hours prior
Age over 65 years alone
Pregnancy alone
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Which is a contraindication to diltiazem administration in the field?
Atrial fibrillation with Wolff-Parkinson-White
Sinus tachycardia from exertion
Stable atrial flutter with normal blood pressure
Isolated PVCs without symptoms
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In which scenario is adenosine contraindicated or potentially harmful?
Stable, regular, narrow-complex SVT
AV nodal reentry tachycardia with stable BP
Monomorphic SVT refractory to vagal maneuvers
Irregular wide-complex tachycardia (possible AF with WPW)
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What is the typical initial prehospital tranexamic acid (TXA) dose for suspected hemorrhagic shock from trauma when indicated?
2 g IM once
10 mg IV push
500 mg IV over 1 hour
1 g IV over 10 minutes within 3 hours of injury
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Norepinephrine should never be started through a peripheral IV line under any circumstances in the prehospital setting.
True
False
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Which concentration is correct for push-dose epinephrine prepared from cardiac epi (0.1 mg/mL) for hypotension rescue boluses?
100 mcg/mL after dilution
10 mcg/mL after dilution
1 mg/mL without dilution
0.1 mcg/mL after dilution
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Drug Indications -

    Recognize the primary uses and contraindications of common paramedic medications encountered in emergency scenarios.

  2. Recall Dosage Guidelines -

    Memorize standard adult and pediatric dosing protocols for essential EMS drugs to ensure accurate medication administration.

  3. Differentiate Drug Classes -

    Distinguish between various pharmacological classes based on mechanism of action, onset, and duration of effect.

  4. Apply Field Protocols -

    Implement established EMS medication algorithms and local protocols when selecting and administering drugs on-scene.

  5. Evaluate Drug Interactions -

    Assess potential interactions and adverse reactions to enhance patient safety during multi-drug therapy.

  6. Self-Assess Pharmacology Knowledge -

    Gauge your understanding of emergency drugs through targeted quiz questions, identifying areas for further study.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Drug Classification Mastery -

    Familiarize yourself with major EMS drug classes - analgesics, vasopressors, antiarrhythmics, and bronchodilators - so you can quickly recall indications and mechanisms. Use the mnemonic "No Body Uses Quinine, Every Time" (Na❺ blockers, Beta-blockers, K❺ blockers, Ca²❺ blockers) to cement antiarrhythmic categories (Class I - IV). Resources like the American Heart Association guidelines offer clear breakdowns.

  2. Accurate Dosage Calculations -

    Master the formula: (Desired dose ÷ Concentration) × Volume to ensure precise IV and IM dosing in critical scenarios. For example, administering epinephrine 0.1 mg/kg in pediatric arrest: (0.1 mg/kg × child weight) ÷ (1 mg/mL) gives total mL needed. Cross-reference with reputable paramedic textbooks or university pharmacology labs for practice problems.

  3. Indications & Contraindications -

    Review when to use or withhold key drugs: nitroglycerin is indicated for ischemic chest pain but contraindicated if the patient has taken PDE5 inhibitors in the past 24 - 48 hours. Remember the mnemonic "HEADACHE": Hypotension, ED drug use, Allergy, and so forth for nitro safety checks. Institutional protocols from the National Association of EMS Physicians can confirm local variations.

  4. Route of Administration Insights -

    Differentiate IV, IO, IM, SC, and endotracheal routes by onset times and bioavailability; for instance, IO access delivers medications as rapidly as IV in cardiac arrest. Practice drawing up and labeling syringes in various simulated scenarios to build speed and confidence. Consult FDA drug monographs for stability and compatibility details.

  5. Monitoring & Adverse Effects -

    Continuously monitor vitals, ECG, and perfusion when administering high-alert drugs like amiodarone or dopamine to detect arrhythmias, hypotension, or extravasation early. Use the "CHECK MAP" prompt (Cardiac rhythm, Heart rate, ECG changes, Hypotension, MAP trends) to guide your assessment. Peer-reviewed journals such as Prehospital Emergency Care detail common EMS medication adverse reactions.

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