Drug calculations and side effects

Question 1

what important resources are contained within the BNF?

Answer 1

prescribing information
systems- covers the systems of the body
drug monographs- all possible information related to a single drug
apendicies- interactions, borderline substances, cautions, wound management
index- look up medications
yellow cards- used to report safety concerns about medications
advanced life support algorithm- used in cardiac arrest
emergency medications- covers emergency situations in the community (asthma, MI)
conversions- converting units
abbreviations

Question 2

what are common prescribing abbreviations?

Answer 2

frequency- once a day (OD), twice a day (BD). three times a day (TDS), four times a day (QDS), morning (OM), night (ON), as required (PRN), immediately (STAT)
routes- orally (PO), sublingually (SL), subcutaneously (SC), intravenously (IV), intramuscularly (IM), rectum (PR), vagina (PV), topically (TOP), inhaled (INH), nebuliser (NEB)

Question 3

what is adherence, compliance and concordance?

Answer 3

adherence- is the patient sticking to the prescription
compliance- agreement between prescriber and patient. therapeutic citizenship- patient has right to refuse treatment but has responsibility to to take medication
compliance- patient complies with the doctors decision

Question 4

how is medication adherence calculated?

Answer 4

number of doses taken/number of prescribed doses x 100

Question 5

what is the definition of an adverse drug reaction?

Answer 5

a response to a medical product which is noxious and unintended and includes adverse reactions which arise from:

• the use of a medicinal product within the terms of the marketing authorisation
• the use outside of the terms of the marketing authorisation including overdose, off label use, misuse, abuse and errors
• occupational exposure

Question 6

what is the ABCDE classification of ADRs?

Answer 6

Augmented- pharmacologically predictable, dose dependant, common, management- reduce dose
Bizarre- not predictable, not dose dependant, uncommon, detected post-lisencing, management- discontinue therapy
Chronic- require a prolonged period of exposure to develop
Delayed- do not arise until a prolonged period after exposure
End of use- effects seen on medicine withdrawal

Question 7

what is the DoTS classification?

Answer 7

Dose related- either hyper susceptible (drug allergies), side-effects (normal doses), toxic effects (toxic concentrations)
Time related- either time independent or time dependant (rapid, first dose, early, intermediate, late, delayed (after exposure).
susceptibility- age, gender, pregnancy, disease, drug interactions, exogenous factors, genetics