Chapter 35 - Researching and Preparing Medications

Question 1

Names of Medications

Answer 1

Chemical, Generic, Brand

Question 2

Categories of Medication

Answer 2

Prescription, Over-the-Counter (OTC)

Question 3

Routes of Medication

Answer 3

• Oral
• Sublingual
• Mucosal
• Topical
• Parenteral

Question 4

Non-Prescription Drugs

Answer 4

• Safe when taken as prescribed
• No prescription needed
• May be purchased in a variety of settings

Question 5

Prescription Drugs

Answer 5

Physician Required. Licensed Practitioner.

Question 6

Consumer Responsibility

Answer 6

Read directions carefully and follow

Question 7

Labeling Requirements

Answer 7

Give information, precautions, and adverse reactions

Question 8

Prescriptions Must Include:

Answer 8

1) Name of the Drug
2) Dosage, Method of Administration
3) Signature of Licensed practitioner/physician

Question 9

Oral Route

Answer 9

Buccal (between the cheek/gums), mouth

Question 10

Sublingual Route

Answer 10

Absorbed under tongue; tablet is placed under the tongue for absorption

Question 11

Mucosal Route

Answer 11

Absorbed through the mucosa :

• Rectum
• Vagina
• Eyes
• Ear
• Inhalation into the lungs

Question 12

Topical Route

Answer 12

Applied to the skin; cream lotions; transdermal patches

Question 13

Parental Route

Answer 13

All Injections

• Intradermal: Dermal layer of the skin
• Subcutaneous: Beneath the skin
• Intramuscular: Within the muscle layers
• Intravenous: Into the Vein

Question 14

Comprehensive Drug Abuse and Control Act 1970

Answer 14

Established schedules 1-5 according to their potential for abuse:

Addressed and set guidelines for manufacture, sale ,
Of these substances.

Addressed the established need, amount o be legally dispensed with each prescription.

Question 15

Controlled Substances

Answer 15

Established a classification of these substances. It regulates manufacturing, and distribution of the the drug

Requires counting of the drug every 8-12 hours in health care institution

Most carefully monitored of all drugs.

High potential for abuse .

Physical dependency.

Psychological dependency.

Control substance Act:

Question 16

Schedule 1 (Controlled Substances)

Answer 16

Highly addictive drugs. Street drugs: Heroin. No medical purpose

Question 17

Schedule 2 (Controlled Substances)

Answer 17

high potential for abuse. Morphine, fentanyl

Question 18

Schedule 3 (Controlled Substances)

Answer 18

less risk for abuse( Tylenol with codeine)

Question 19

Schedule 4 (Controlled Substances)

Answer 19

Central nervous system depressants. Ativan. Valium.

Question 20

Schedule 5 (Controlled Substances)

Answer 20

lowest potential for abuse:
Cough medications with codeine. Lomotil.
Provide identification when purchasing.

Question 21

Desired Effect

Answer 21

Reason the medication is given; the purpose

Question 22

Side Effect

Answer 22

An unintended outcome takes place (ie. Dizziness on a new med for BP)

Question 23

Adverse Effect

Answer 23

severe or harmful effect

Question 24

Allergic Reactions

Answer 24

Local or mild. Hives. Rash.

Question 25

Anaphylaxis

Answer 25

Circulatory and respiratory collapse
(Respiratory Failure; Cardiac Collapse)

A severe life-threatening reaction to a medication

Question 26

How to prevent drug allergic reactions

Answer 26

• Always check the MAR or medical record for presence of listed drug allergy prior to giving a new medication
• Also ask the patient

Question 27

Classifications of Meds Causing Allergic Reactions

Answer 27

• Antibiotics
• Iodine/dyes injected for procedures
• Vaccines
• Anticonvulsants

Question 28

Toxicity

Answer 28

Meds given that cause damage to organs. Levels too high in the body

Question 29

Therapeutic Level

Answer 29

the amount of medication needed to achieve the desired effect on the target organ.

Question 30

Ways in which drugs react:

Answer 30

With other medications and with certain foods

Question 31

Ways to research medications:

Answer 31

• Nursing Drug Guides
• Physician’s Desk Reference
• Pharma Textbooks
• Internet Resources
• A nurse must always know the effects and side effects before administering a medication

Question 32

All Medication Orders Must Include:

Answer 32

• Date and time of the order
• Name of the medication, either generic or brand
• Dosage of medication
• Frequency for taking the medication
• Route of administration, such as oral, intramuscular, or intravenous.
• Patient’s name
• Specific reason for administrating the medication
• Signature of the prescriber

Question 33

Ways to obtain medications:

Answer 33

• Computerized cabinets
• Medication charts
• Locked bins in patient rooms

Question 34

6 Rights of Medication

Answer 34

Right medicine
Right dose
Right route
Right patient
Right indication
Right date and time
Right documentation

Question 35

Patient Rights

Answer 35

Right to know purpose of medication
Right to know effects
Right to refuse
Right to question

Question 36

How to perform a medication safety check:

Answer 36

Verify the medication, dose, route, patient, indication, date, and time as you remove the medication from the cart, bin, or Pyxis® machine.

Verify the medication, dose, and route against the M A R prior to placing it in the medication cup and returning the container to the drawer, if applicable.

Verify the patient, medication, indication, dose, and route at the bedside prior to opening it and administering it to the patient.