Ch12: Pharmacology Flashcards
what is pharmacodynamics?
the effect a drug has on the body
what is an agonist?
a medication that stimulates the receptors
what is an antagonist?
a medication that inhibits a receptor
what does the ‘action’ of a medication mean?
the therapeutic effect of the medication on the body
what is pharmacokinetics?
the processes that the body performs on a medication from absorption, distribution to elimination
what are the pharmacokinetic factors of a drug?
PEDO HAHAHA
Peak = the point when maximal clinical effects of a drug is achieved
Elimination = how the body breaks down and gets rid of medications
Duration = how long is the clinical effect
Onset of action = the time between administration and desired effect
what is the therapeutic effect of a drug?
the desired or intended effect of a medication on the body
what are unintended (adverse) effects?
effects that are undesirable but pose little/no risk
what are adverse effects?
any actions of a medication other than the intended action
what are untoward (adverse) effects?
effects that can be harmful to the patient
what do “contraindications” mean in the context of pharmacology?
reaons or conditions for which a medication should NOT be given to a patient
what are contraindications for nitroglycerin?
severe hypotension
erectile dysfunction medication was taken within 24h (it also dilates blood vessels)
if blood pressure is below 100mmHg = NO NEED
what is a contraindication for taking aspirin?
suspected head bleed
recent internal bleeding e.g. stomach ulcers (contact medical control)
what is a relative contraindication of epinephrine?
glaucoma
what do “indications” mean in the context of pharmacology?
reasons or conditions for which a medication is given
what are the indications for aspirin?
heart attack
pain or fever (rmb medicinal chem!)
what are is the indication for nitroglycerin?
angina (chest pain caused by reduced flow of blood to the heart). nitroglycerin relaxes blood vessel walls, allowing more blood flow (which is why severe hypotension is a contraindication)
what is the indication for diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?
allergic reaction
what is the intended effect of diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
blocks action of histamine in an allergic reaction
what are two unintended effects of diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?
1) dry mouth
2) drowsiness
what is an untoward effect of diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?
increases pressure in the eye
what is a contraindication of diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?
asthma (as it can worsen lower airway constriction)
what is a trade name?
a brand name given to a medication by a manufacturer (begins with a capital letter).
a medication may have multiple trade names depending on how many companies manufacture it.
is nitroglycerin a generic or trade name?
generic
What is the generic name of Advil, Nuprin and Motrin?
ibuprofen
Parenteral routes of administration
other ways than through the digestive system
Enteral routes of administration
through the digestive system
prescription vs. over-the-counter (OTC) medicine
prescription medicine = medicine that can only be obtained with a physician’s order
OTC medicine = medicine that can be obtained from a pharmacist without a physician’s order
what is absorption in terms of medicine administration?
the process of medicines traveling through tissues until they reach the bloodstream
examples of enteral administration routes
by mouth (PO)
sublingual (SL)
per rectal (PR)
examples of parenteral administration routes
intravenous (IV)
intraosseous (IO) - into bone marrow
inhalation
intranasal
intramuscular
subcutaneous
transcutaneous
why and when to deliver a medication orally (PO)?
non-invasive
many patients prefer taking medication orally than with needles
less costly than parenteral (no need needles)
disadvantages of PO administration
absorption rate is variable, for example if the patient vomits
some medications may be destroyed by stomach acid
why and when to use PR (per rectal) administration?
when patient can’t swallow or is unconscious
usually in children as they like to regurgitate their medicines
medicine not destroyed by stomach acid
examples of substances that cannot be administered through IV
oxygen
aspirin
albuterol (in inhalers)
why and when to use intravenous (IV) administration?
when medications need to enter bloodstream immediately
why and when use IO (intraosseous) administration?
IO is used when IV is not possible
because it is painful, it is usually done in unconscious patients or those with cardiac arrest or extreme shock
when and why use IM (intramuscular) administration?
when cannot locate an appropriate vein
already in auto-injector (e.g. epi Pen)
when and why use inhalation administration?
medication works in lungs
minimize harmful events
when and why use sublingual (SL) administration?
medication destroyed by stomach acid
when is transcutaneous administration used?
when chemical can be absorbed from surface of skin into tissue (topical),
longer lasting effect
explain the risks of transcutaneous patches with young children
the patches usually contain high doses of medication so it can cause an overdose in infants and children if they accidentally bite on it
how to use intranasal administration?
liquid medication aerosolized in a mucosal atomizer device (MAD) and administered to nostril
Medicine administration cross-check procedure?
“Med check.”
“Ready”
“I am going to give [medication] at [dose] through [route]”
“Contraindications?”
“None”
“Give it”
peer-assisted medication
the administering of medication to yourself or your partner (e.g. after exposure to a specific agent)
patient-assisted medication
helping a patient administer THEIR OWN medication (e.g. EpiPen, nitroglycerin, MDI bronchodilator)
EMT-administered medication
medication given to a patient by an EMT such as oxygen, oral glucose, nitroglycerin and aspirin
what to do if a medication error occurs
1) treat asap
2) tell medical control
3) follow local protocols and document thoroughly and honestly
max number of nitroglycerin tablets to take
3
what kind of medications end with -pril
ace inhibitors that help manage bp,
by vasodilation
