Chapter 1 : Introduction to Pharmacology

Question 1

Pharmacology

Answer 1

“Study of Medicine”

understanding how drugs are administered, where they travel through the body, the actual responses produced

Question 2

Explain the interdisciplinary nature of pharmacology

Answer 2

includes sciences such as A&P, microbiology, biology, chemistry, pathophysiology

need broad knowledge base of the other sciences to learn pharmacology well

Question 3

Anatomy and physiology

Answer 3

the study body structures and how these structures work

Question 4

Microbiology

Answer 4

study of all living organisms that are too small to be visible to the naked eye

Question 5

Biology

Answer 5

study of living organisms and their vital processes

Question 6

Chemistry

Answer 6

study of matter including their chemical processes

Question 7

Pathophysiology

Answer 7

study of abnormal changes in body functions

Question 8

MOA of a Drug

Answer 8

how a drug produces its physiologic effect on the body

Question 9

Pharmacotherapy

Answer 9

application of drugs for treating disease and alleviating pain

Question 10

Therapeutics

Answer 10

focus of disease prevention, treatment, and pain

Question 11

Classification of Drugs

Answer 11

1) Therapeutic Classification
2) Pharmacologic Classification

Question 12

Therapeutic Classification
(Example)

Answer 12

therapeutic usefulness; physiological change induced by the drug
ie. drug classification: anticoagulant
usefulness: prevents blood clot

Question 13

Pharmacologic Classification
(Example)

Answer 13

Mechanism of action on a molecular level; more specific than Therapeutic Classification
represent MOA

i.e. Pharmacologic Classification: Calcium channel blocker
MOA: blocks heart calcium channels

i.e. Vasodilator
MOA: dilates peripheral blood vessels

*usually involves a drug interacting with some protein such as enzyme or receptor

Question 14

Basic Drug Name Types

Answer 14

1) Chemical
2) Generic
3) Trade

Question 15

Chemical Names

Answer 15

nomenclature assigned using established guidelines by the IUPAC
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
drug= ONE CHEMICAL NAME
usually long, difficult to pronounce

common but few used: sodium gluconate, sodium chloride

Question 16

Generic Names

Answer 16

assigned the the U.S. adopted name council
starts with a lower case letter
many organizations use generic names to describe medications
NOT BIOSIMILAR: uses generic name +4 lowercase letters

Question 17

Trade Names

Answer 17

aka: proprietary, product, brand
Capitalized letter
assigned by the company marketing the drug
Proprietary (ownership): drug developer has exclusive rights to name and market a drug for 17 years after a New Drug Application submitted

Question 18

Trade Name Drugs vs generic equivalents

Answer 18

Both: 100% identical ACTIVE ingredients
Differ: INACTIVE ingredients
-slight difference of inactive ingredients can affect the absorption of drug or other factors
-differ in appearance
-formulation/ inert ingredients

Trade-Name drugs
-assigned by marketing drug
-high cost
Generic equivalents
-assigned by US adopted name council
-low cost

Therefore, bioavailability (ability of drug to reach its target and produce its effect) is compromised; discrepancy

Question 19

Major differences between prescription and OTC

Answer 19

Prescription
-written order by someone with legal authority to write prescriptions
-maximize therapy
-specific diagnosis
-monitor AE
-proper usage explained

OTC
-convenience
-do not need to see HCP
-risk of interaction w/ prescribed
-drug toxicity
-less cost
-masks underlying disease
-delaying early treatment

Question 20

Bioavailability

Answer 20

physiologic ability of a drug to reach its targeted organ and produce its effect

anything that affects the absorption of a drug, affects the bioavailability

Question 21

Nurse’s Role and responsibilities in drug administrations

Answer 21

safe and effective drug administration to improve quality of life; maximize therapeutic effects minimize risks