Chapter 2: Application of Pharmacology in Nursing Practice

Question 1

What are the 9 “Rights”

Answer 1

• right drug
• right patient/client
• right dose
• right time
• right assessment
• right documentation
• right evaluation
• right of patient to education
• right of patient to refuse care

Question 2

what must the nurse know (4)

Answer 2

• what medications are appropriate for the client
• what drugs are contraindicated for the client
• the probable consequences of the interactions between drugs and the client
• expected therapeutic effects, side effects and adverse effects

Question 3

what is the nurses role as an advocate

Answer 3

• last line of legal defense for the client
• ethical and legal resposibilities

Question 4

what are the 8 steps in the application of pharmacology in client care

Answer 4

1. pre administration assessment
2. dosage and administration
3. promoting therapeutic effects
4. minimizing adverse effects
5. minimizing adverse interactions
6. making as needed (PRN) decisions
7. evaluating responses to medication
8. managing toxicity

Question 5

pre administration assessment

Answer 5

• collect baseline data
• identify high risk patients

Question 6

why is collecting baseline data important

Answer 6

needed to evaluate therapeutic responses and adverse effects

Question 7

dosage and administration

Answer 7

• read the medication order carefully
• verify the identity of the patient
• read the medication label carefully
• verify dosage calculations
• implement any special handling that the drug may require
• goal: promote therapeutic effects and minimize adverse effects

Question 8

what is the golden rule of giving drugs

Answer 8

DO NOT ADMINISTER ANY DRUG IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE REASON FOR ITS USE

Question 9

evaluating and promoting therapeutic effects

Answer 9

• one of the most important aspects of drug therapy
• must know the rationale for treatment and the nature and time course of the intended response
• cannot effectively evaluate a drug with multiple applications if the intended use is not known

Question 10

what are the four things you should always know in order to minimize adverse effects when giving a drug

Answer 10

• major adverse effects that the drug can produce
• times when reactions are more likely to occur
• early signs that an adverse reaction is developing
• interventions that can minimize discomfort and harm

Question 11

what does PRN mean

Answer 11

as needed
- nurse has discretion regarding how much drug to give and when to give it

Question 12

application of pharmacology in client education

Answer 12

• drug name a therapeutic category
• dosage amount
• dosage schedule
• routine and technique of administration
• duration of treatment
• method of drug storage
• symptoms of adverse effects

Question 13

pre administration assessment

Answer 13

• collection of baseline data to evaluate therapeutic and adverse effects
• identification of high risk patients
• assessment of clients capacity for self care

Question 14

pre administration assessment involves

Answer 14

• medication and medical history
• physical exam
• observation
• lab data
• discussion with caregivers and family

Question 15

analysis and nursing diagnoses objectives as related to pharmacology

Answer 15

• judge appropriateness of prescribed regimen
• identify potential health problems that the drug may cause
• determine clients capacity for self care