Chapter 10 Flashcards
Pharmacology is…
the scientific study of how various substances interact with or alter the function of living organisms
The administration that approves new medications and removes unsafe medications from use
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
What does it mean when a med is used “off-label”?
- A purpose not approved by the FDA
- At doses different from the recommended doses
- By a route of administration not approved by the FDA
Schedule I drugs
high abuse potential; no recognized medical purpose
Schedule II drug
high abuse potential; legitimate medical purpose
Schedule III drug
Lower potential for abuse than Schedule II medications
Schedule IV drugs
Lower potential for abuse than Schedule III drugs
Schedule V drugs
Lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV drugs
What is a synthetic drug?
Made completely in a laboratory
What is a semisynthetic drug?
Made from chemicals derived from plant, animal, or mineral sources
What is medication monograph also known as?
Medical profile
What is a great reference for more info about a drug?
Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR) or the USP-NF
What is Pharmacodynamics?
a medication is administered, it alters a function or process of the body (what the drug does to YOU)
What is Pharmacokinetics?
action of the body on a medication (what you do to the drug)
What is an endogenous chemical?
Originates from within the organism (the body)
What is an exogenous chemical?
Originates from outside the body (medications)
What 4 possibilities happen when a medication binds with receptor site?
- Channels permitting the passage of ions in cell walls -may be opened or closed.
- A biochemical messenger becomes activated.
- A normal cell function is prevented.
- A normal or abnormal cell function begins.
What does an AGONIST medication do?
Initiate or alter cellular activity
What does an ANTAGONIST medication do?
prevent agonist chemicals from reaching cell receptor sites.
What is the “threshold level”?
level at which initiation of alteration of cellular activity begins
What is “potency”?
concentration of medication required to initiate a cellular response
What is “efficacy”?
ability to initiate or alter cell activity in a therapeutic or desired manner
What is the dose-response curve?
Illustrates the relationship of medication concentration and efficacy
What is competitive antagonists?
Temporarily bind with cellular receptor sites.
What is NON-competitive antagonists?
Permanently bind with receptor sites and prevent activation by agonist chemicals. Effects continue until new receptor sites or cells are created
Partial agonist chemicals are…?
Chemicals that do not initiate as much cellular activity as other agonists
What are antimicrobial meds?
May target specific substances present in the cell walls of a bacteria or fungi
What are chelating agents?
- Bind with heavy metals.
- Sodium bicarbonate
What are dieuretics?
Create osmotic changes.
Alter distribution of fluids and electrolytes.
What are Electrolyte-based medications?
Change concentration and distribution of ions in cells and fluids throughout the body.
What factors affect response to medications?
Choice of medication Dose Route Timing Manner of administration Monitoring
How does hyperthermia affect medication?
May increase metabolism of drugs
May reduce amount of drug returned to circulation
How does hypothermia affect medication?
Impairs effectiveness of medications used in traditional cardiac life support
What is “hematocrit”?
The % of red blood cells in the intravascular space
What is an idiosyncratic reaction?
A reaction that is completely unexpected and not previously known to occur with a particular medication.
What is the therapeutic index?
The relationship between the median effective dose and the median lethal dose. [The “sweet spot” between it being effective and killing you.]
Large difference: medication is safe.
Small difference: patient needs to be monitored.
What is medication tolerance?
Certain medications have a decreased efficacy when taken repeatedly
What is cross tolerance?
repeated exposure within a particular class has the potential to cause a tolerance to the class
What is tachyphylaxis?
repeated doses within a short time rapidly cause tolerance
How long can IO’s be left in place?
24hrs
What is a contraindication for an IO?
fractured bones
Describes the extent to which a medication will spread within the body.
Volume of distribution
The “Six Rights” of medication administration?
Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation/reporting
