Nicholas

McManus, DO FAAEM

Medication on the Pump

1.0 HOUR  ●  1.0 CME  ●  ALL LICENSE LEVELS
Preview Share

Supplemental continuing education course for the critical care paramedic.

Buy $20.00
Free Trial

COURSE CURRICULUM

Managing continuous infusions during critical care and interfacility transport demands more than knowing drug names and rates, it requires a deep understanding of why medications are delivered by pump, how dosing strategies affect physiology over time, and what can go wrong when systems fail. This course prepares EMS clinicians to safely manage high-risk medication infusions commonly encountered during transport, including vasoactive agents, sedatives, anticoagulants, electrolytes, and specialty therapies. Learners will develop a practical framework for infusion pump operation, medication class–specific considerations, titration principles, compatibility issues, and adverse effect recognition — with an emphasis on anticipating complications, maintaining physiologic stability, and ensuring continuity of care during prolonged transports.

Nicholas's Lesson Plan

This chapter reviews continuous cardiovascular infusions commonly encountered during critical care transport, including vasoactive agents, antiarrhythmics, and antihypertensives. Emphasis is placed on mechanism of action, titration strategies, hemodynamic monitoring, and recognizing early signs of decompensation.

Learners examine sedative and neuromuscular blocking agents delivered by infusion, with a focus on airway management, ventilator synchrony, and patient safety. Topics include depth of sedation, analgesia-first strategies, and prevention of awareness or oversedation during transport.

This chapter covers infusions affecting the central nervous system, including antiepileptics and neuroprotective therapies. Clinicians will explore indications, neurologic assessment considerations, and transport-related risks such as altered mental status and seizure recurrence.

Participants review high-risk metabolic infusions requiring precise dosing and vigilant monitoring. The chapter emphasizes pump accuracy, compatibility concerns, glucose and electrolyte trends, and prevention of rapid metabolic shifts during transport.

This section addresses medications used in obstetric emergencies and high-risk maternal transport, including uterotonics and tocolytics. Learners focus on maternal–fetal physiology, medication effects on uterine tone and perfusion, and transport-specific safety considerations.

This chapter reviews continuous and extended-infusion antimicrobial therapies encountered during interfacility transport. Emphasis is placed on timing, infusion requirements, adverse reactions, and maintaining therapeutic levels during prolonged transfers.

Learners examine opioid and non-opioid analgesic infusions with a focus on balancing pain control, respiratory drive, and hemodynamic stability. The chapter highlights reassessment, titration principles, and recognition of adverse effects in the transport environment.

This chapter focuses on infusions used in toxicologic and overdose management. Clinicians will review indications, dosing strategies, and physiologic targets, with an emphasis on monitoring response and preventing secondary complications during transport.

Participants review infusions used for gastrointestinal emergencies, including acid suppression, bleeding control, and hepatic support therapies. The chapter emphasizes mechanism of action, monitoring parameters, and recognizing clinical deterioration during interfacility transfer.

Nicholas's Lessons
Cardiovascular Medication
Sedation & Paralytics
CNS Medications
TPN / Insulin / Electrolytes
Obstetric Medications
Antimicrobial Medications
Analgesics
Antidotes
Gastrointestinal Medications
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Nicholas McManus, DO FAAEM

Dr. McManus is a practicing emergency physician with board certification from the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Prior to becoming a physician, Dr. McManus started his career in EMS and tactical medicine where he served as a medic in the Iraq war. 

He currently serves as the Medical Director for the Muskegon County Medical Control Authority. He is an active clinical faculty member with Michigan State University and the West Michigan Emergency Medicine Residency. He has a passion for the advancement of medical education and evidence-based practice and serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Emergency Medicine.