Exam 1 Flashcards
9 rights of medication administration
- Right Drug: correct drug is given, medication orders must be checked against the medication label or profile three times before giving the medication. (During initial preparation of medication; before removing from storage place
Is drug appropriate?
Correctly ordered?
Before you place the unit dose pkg in medicine cup
Before you open the unit dose pkg at the bedside - Right Dose: confirm dosage amount is appropriate for age and size, pediatric and elderly patients are more sensitive to medications than adults, thus use extra caution with drug dosage.- check 3 times
- Right Time: routine medication no more than .5 hour before, stat medications no later than .5 hour after, or single order given only once, or standing order written in advance under specific circumstances, or prn, as required, as needed. Use military time when recording medication in medical records
- Right Route & Form: oral suspension, tablet, capsule, gelcap, pediatric drops, and rectal suppository. Controlled Release drugs cannot be crushed or altered.
- Right Patient
- Right Documentation: correct documentation is the sixth right of medical administration, document date, time, name, dosage, route, pertinent lab values, VS and site. Only document after the medication has been given, do not use trailing zeros. Negative changes in symptoms experienced, AE/SE, toxicity, drug-related physical and/or psychological symptoms
Improvement
If drug is not administered, document why and any actions taken. - Right Reason or Indication: appropriateness in use of medication, confirm the rationale
- Right Response: assess and evaluate the drugs response in the patient; Document assessment findings, interventions, monitoring
- Right to refuse: document the refusal, Make sure the client understands the medication, Inform the prescriber, Document refusal and continue to monitor
Understand the principles related to documentation of medication administration
- Document AFTER the med has been given Include: - Date & time - Route - Pertinent lab values - VS - Document drug action - Negative changes in symptoms experienced - AE/SE, toxicity - drug-related physical and/or psychological symptoms - Improvement - If drug is not administered, document why and any actions taken.
Identify incomplete/incorrect written prescriptions
Medication, Dose, Route, Times?
Differentiate between objective and subjective assessment data
- Objective: what is observed
- Subjective: what the patient or family tells you
Identify the different components of the nursing process
- Assessment
- Diagnosis (nursing statement)
- Plan
- Implementation
- Evaluation
Additional rights of nurses
- Right to a “double check” and constant system analysis (e.g. system f drug admin. Process w/regard to everyone involved, including the doctor, nurse, nursing unit, pharmacy dept. and with regard to client education.)
- Right to proper drug storage & documentation
- Right to accurate calculation and preparation of dosage of med and proper use of all types of medication delivery systems.
- Right to careful checking of the transcription of medication orders
- Right to pt safety with correct procedures and techniques of med admin.
- Right to accurate routes of admin. And specific implications.
- Right to close consideration of special situations (e.g. client with difficulty swallowing, pt w/NG tube, unconscious pt)
- Right to having all measures taken with regard to the prevention and reporting of med errors
- Right to individualized and complete client teaching
Right to accurate and cautious pt monitoring for therapeutic effects, side effects, & toxic effects - Right to continued safe use of the nursing process with accurate documentation in narrative form or in SOAP (Subjective, objective, assessment, planning) notes format
Who can prescribe drugs in Missouri and Kansas
- Physician assistants can prescribe Schedules II-V controlled if outlined in the supervision of agreement w/physician. May not prescribe Schedule II controlled. Verbal orders have to be signed within 24 hours, or as per guidelines within hc institution.
- Dental hygienists w/direct access: can provide services without supervision in public health settings to Medicaid-eligible children and can be directly reimbursed. Have to have 3 years of experience and may provide oral prophylaxis, sealants, and fluorides
- Nurse practitioners: require written collaborative practice agreements w/ a physician. Agreement must outline geographic practice areas for the physician and the NP and methods of treatment within an NP’s scope of practice. NPs are not explicitly recognized in state policy as primary care providers. Prescriptive authority & privileges must outlined in the written agreement. and be within the NP’s scope of practice. Can prescribe
abbreviations for extended- release
CR – controlled release LA – long acting SR – sustained release TR – timed release RD – time delay SA – sustained action XL – extended release XR – extended release
Time releasing drugs
- Many drugs in psychiatry have been time-release formulated to reduce their local adverse effects in the gastrointestinal tract, to reduce adverse effects associated with peak blood levels, or to artificially extend their half-life.
- Time-release formulations are associated with the added advantages of convenience of dosing, improved compliance, and less fluctuation in blood levels across the course of the day.
- A disadvantage of time-release formulations is that they may be incompletely absorbed; this is a serious issue in patients with acute or chronic intestinal hurry disorders, such as gastroenteritis or irritable bowel syndrome. more expensive than immediate-release formulations.
Identify which patients will likely have the most difficulty metabolizing drugs.
- Cardiovascular dysfunction, Renal insufficiency
Know which type of drugs will NOT undergo first-pass effect.
- Drugs administered by the intravenous route
Understand how drugs have their mechanisms of action
- Receptor Interactions: joins the drug molecule with the reactive site on the surface of the cell or tissue, then interacts with the receptor for a pharmacologic response. The drug becomes bound to the receptor through the formation of chemical bonds between the receptor on the cell and the active site on the drug molecule.
- Enzyme Interactions: drug chemically binds to an enzyme molecule that alters (inhibits or enhances) the enzyme’s interaction.
- Nonselective Interactions: physically interfere with or chemically alter cellular structures or processes.
Review why older adult clients may have a lower dose of a drug in relation to pharmacokinetics
- Their systems function slows down so with older adults you want to start drugs with a low slow dose.
Identify considerations for pediatric clients in relation to pharmacokinetics and drug absorption.
- Pediatric patients organs are not fully developed yet, so you need to take into consideration that their function may not work the same because they have immature organs.
Know which clients will have the most difficulty excreting drugs
- Renal dysfunction
Know the differences between allergic and idiosyncratic reactions
- An allergic reaction is a hypersensitivity, idiosyncratic is an abnormal unexpected response to a medication peculiar to an individual
Pharmacokinetics
- the study of what happens to a drug from the time it is put into the body until the parent drug and all metabolites have left the body. Includes the phases absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, drug’s onset of action, time to peak effect, and duration of action
- Absorption: movement of a drug from site of administration into bloodstream for distribution to tissues.
- Affected by process and route of administration.
- Quantified by bioavailability which is the extent of drug absorption.
Pharmacodynamics
the study of biochemical and physiologic interactions of drugs; what the drug does to the body. It examines the physiochemical properties of drugs and their pharmacologic interactions with suitable body receptors. More specifically, the mechanism of action
Pharmacotherapeutics
the treatment of pathologic conditions through the use of drugs.
Pharmaceutics
Science of preparing and dispensing drugs, including dosage form design.
Formulation of different drugs determines rate of dissolution and absorption.
Enteral route
- Drug is absorbed into systemic circulation through the mucosa of the stomach and/or small or large intestine.
- Oral
- Sublingual
- Buccal
- Rectal (can also be topical)
- Typically this route is the slowest for absorption of drugs.
- The sublingual route is the fastest of these because the drug is absorbed into the highly vascularized tissue under the tongue.
Parenteral route
- Intravenous (fastest delivery into circulation)- invasive
- Intramuscular
- Subcutaneous
- Intradermal
- Intraarterial
- Intrathecal
- Intraarticular
- injections such as IV, IM, and subQ.
Topical route
- Skin (transdermal patches)
- Eyes
- Ears
- Nose
- Lungs (inhalation)
- Rectum
- Vagina
- take longest for absorption to occur
what is the first-pass effect?
- A drug that is absorbed from the intestine must first pass through the liver before it reaches the systemic circulation.
- If a large proportion of a drug is chemically changed into inactive metabolites in the liver, than a much smaller amount of drug will pass into the circulation (i.e. be bioavailable). - Such a drug is said to have a high first pass effect.
- First-pass effect reduces the bioavailability of the drug to less than 100%.
- Many drugs given orally have a bioavailability of less than 100% but drugs given by the IV route are 100% bioavailable.
what are the only 2 routes that undergo the first pass effect
- enteral
- oral
what are non-first pass routes
- A drug that is absorbed form the intestine must first pass through the liver before it reaches the systemic circulation.
- If a large proportion of a drug is chemically changed into inactive metabolites in the liver, than a much smaller amount of drug will pass into the circulation (i.e. be bioavailable). - Such a drug is said to have a high first pass effect.
- First-pass effect reduces the bioavailability of the drug to less than 100%.
- Many drugs given orally have a bioavailability of less than 100% but drugs given by the IV route are 100% bioavailable.
what routes are for non-first pass routes?
- Sublingual: Absorbed into the highly vascularized tissue under the tongue, the oral mucosa.
- Buccal: Absorbed into the highly vascularized tissue of the cheek.
- Parenteral or Injection (Subcutaneous (SC), Intradermal, Intramuscular (IM),
Intravenous (IV)) - Topical (Transdermal, Inhalation, Intranasal, Intraocular, Vaginal)
What is Pharmacokinetics distribution?
- transport of a drug by the bloodstream to its site of action
- Only drug molecules that are not bound to plasma proteins can freely distribute to extravascular tissue to reach their site of action.
- If a drug is bound to protein, the drug-protein complex is generally too LARGE to pass through the walls of blood capillaries into tissues.
- Drugs are distributed first to those areas with extensive blood supply.
- Areas of rapid distribution include the heart, kidneys, liver, and brain.
- Areas of slower distribution include muscle, skin, and fat. - Once a drug enters the bloodstream it is distributed throughout the body.
Protein binding of drugs
- Drugs can be freely distributed to extravascular tissue only when not bound to protein.
- This unbound portion is pharmacologically ACTIVE and considered “free” drug.
- Drugs that bind to albumin: acidic drugs, phenytoin, warfarin, digoxin, naproxen, ceftriaxone, lorazepam, valproic acid
- A drug’s efficiency is affected by the degree to which it binds to proteins within the blood.
- The LESS BOUND a drug is, the more efficiently it can travel cell membranes and navigate to its site of action.
- A drug’s performance can be enhanced or decreased by protein binding.
Drugs that are highly protein bound
More acidic drugs bind to albumin:
- phenytoin (AED)
- warfarin (anticoagulant)
- digoxin (antidysrhythmic, heart failure)
- naproxen (antiinflammatory)
- ceftriaxone (antibiotic)
- lorazepam (benzodiazepine for anxiety)
- valproic acid (AED, manic phase of bipolar, migraine headaches)
what are two sites where it is difficult to distribute drugs?
- bone
- blood-brain barrier
- drugs must be injected straight into site of action
What organ is most responsible for the metabolism of most drugs?
The liver is the organ most responsible for the metabolism of drugs.
What client factors can cause variations in the metabolism of drugs?
Client factors include liver disease, genetic diseases, liver failure.
Cytochrome P-450 enzymes
- also known as microsomal enzymes
- Target lipid-soluble drugs (lipophilic: “fat loving”), which are typically difficult to eliminate
- Most drugs are lipophilic!
There are other drugs that are water-soluble (hydrophilic: “water loving”) - Easily metabolized by chemical reactions
- patients who have a deficiency of the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system are going to have more difficulty metabolizing drugs
Fast and Slow acetylators
“slow” acetylator :
- a person who has an autosomal recessive single gene trait which effects the N-acetylate transferase enzyme in the liver.
- This gene causes the enzyme to work slowly in the metabolism of certain drugs.
Because of this slow pace situation, “slow” acetylators will receive more of the given drug in circulation than a fast acetylators who is metabolizing the drug and excreting it (via kidneys).
- show a greater therapeutic response than fast acetylators to several drugs (e.g., isoniazid, hydralazine).
- may also be more susceptible to the side effects mediated by acetylated metabolites, such as isoniazid hepatotoxicity and lupus-like syndrome after hydralazine or procainamide.
Fast acetylation:
- autosomal dominant genetic trait.
- may not reach therapeutic levels with treatment and require greater doses.
- Fast: up to 50% of the population in Canada, Germany & as low as 10% among some American Indians and the majority of Eskimos and Asians
- Slow: up to 50% of African Americans and Caucasians
What organ is responsible for elimination of drugs from the body?
- Kidneys
- Few meds are excreted by the intestines and biliary system.
Half-life
- Time it takes for one half of the original amount of a drug to be removed.
- Measure of the rate at which drugs are removed from the body.
onset
time it takes for a drug to elicit a therapeutic response.
peak
time it takes for a drug to reach its maximum therapeutic response.
duration
time that drug concentration is sufficient to elicit a therapeutic response.
peak level
highest blood level
trough level
lowest blood levels
drug toxicity
peak blood is too high
Mechanism of action
- describes how drugs work.
- This means how the specific drug works, or what action it has in the body.
- Drugs produce actions (therapeutic effects) by:
1. Modifying the rate at which the targeted cell or tissue functions
2. Modifying the function of the targeted cell or tissue
Receptor and Enzyme interactions
- Drugs act by forming a chemical bond w/specific receptor sites, similar to a key and lock.
- The better the “fit” the better the response.
- Drugs with complete attachment and response are called agonists.
- Drugs that attach but do not elicit a response are called antagonists.
Drug receptor interactions
- Agonist: binds to the receptor > response occurs
- Partial agonist: binds to receptor > response diminishes
- Antagonist: binds to receptor > no response Prevents binding of agonists
- Competitive antagonist: competes w/the agonist for binding. If binds, no response
- Noncompetitive antagonist: combines w/different parts of receptor & inactivates it. Agonist then has no effect.
Reasons for giving therapeutic medications
- Acute: vasopressors to maintain BP and CO after open heart surgery
- Maintenance: does not eradicate the problem but will prevent progression of the disease or condition. Examples: BP meds. Oral contraceptives for birth control
- Supplemental: supplies body with substance needed for normal function: example: insulin for DM
- Palliative/supportive: example: high dose opioids for final stages of cancer
- Prophylactic therapy: antibiotics active against the organism commonly associated with a specific infection
Medication effects to monitor
- Contraindications/cautions: this means reasons to either not give the drug or to use it cautiously. Each drug has its own set of contraindications/cautions. (allergy contraindication for every drug)
- Therapeutic response: this is the desired effect of the drug.
- AE’s/SE’s: these are the non-desired effects of drugs.
Therapeutic index: - Low therapeutic index: difference between therapeutically active dose & toxic dose is small. Requires close monitoring.
- Drug concentration: this is the amount of drug in the blood
Interactions: drugs can interact with food or other drugs and produce undesired effects or increase therapeutic effects.
Tolerance
a decreasing response to repeated drug doses. (need higher dose)
Dependence
- Dependence: physiologic or psychological need for a drug
- Physical dependence: physiologic need for a drug to avoid physical withdrawal symptoms
- Psychological dependence: also known as addiction and is the obsessive desire for the euphoric effects of a drug
Adverse Drug Reactions
- Pharmacologic:
extension of drug’s normal effects - Allergic (hypersensitivity)
Involves immune response; immune system recognizes the drug, a drug metabolite, or an ingredient in the drug as dangerous, foreign. - Idiosyncratic: Pharmacologic:
extension of drug’s normal effects; Genetically inherited traits that result in the abnormal metabolism of drugs are universally distributed throughout the population. - Drug interactions: when 2 drugs interact & produce an unwanted effect. Can be the result of 1 drug either making the other one more potent & accentuating its effects or diminishing the effectiveness of the other. Drug interactions can be intentional & beneficial, too.
Additive effect
1 + 1 = 2
- When two drugs with similar actions are given together.
- GOOD THING
Synergistic effect
1 + 1 = 3
- 2 drugs are combined & results in effects that are greater than the effect that could have been achieved if either 1 drug was given alone.
- Drug synergy, the combined boost of drug efficacy, is a highly pursued goal of combinational drug development.
- Synergistic drug combinations have been shown to be highly efficacious and therapeutically more specific.
Antagonistic effect
1 + 1 = 0
- BAD THING
- Combined drug effects are less than those that could have been achieved if either drug was separately.
Incompatibility
- commonly refers to parenteral drugs.
- Chemical deterioration of drug
- Produces precipitate, haziness, or a change in color of the solution
- Seen a lot in intravenous drugs- see if the two drugs are compatible without chemical deterioration of the drug
- May have to start another iv if incompatible
- check incompatibility chart
Adverse drug event (ADE)
- An injury caused by a medication or failure to admin. An intended medication. May or may not be preventable (i.e. due to error); may or may not cause pt harm. Includes all ADRs but is not always caused by a med error (ME). Also includes expected or anticipated side effects of medications.
Adverse drug reaction (ADR)
Any unexpected, unintended, undesired, or excessive response to a medication at doses normally used for prophylaxis, diagnosis or therapy and results in hospital admission, prolongation of hospital stay, change in drug therapy, initiation of supportive trtmt, and complication of dx disease state.
ADR- side effects
- expected, well-known rx resulting in little or no change in pt mgmt. They have predictable frequency.
- Intensity and occurrence are r/t size of the dose.
ADR- serious adverse events
are serious adverse events. These are defined as events that are fatal, life threatening, or permanently/significantly disabling; requiring or prolonging hospitalization; cause congenital anomalies, or require intervention to prevent permanent impairment or damage.
Identify appropriate strategies for administering medications to a toddler.
- Provide a brief concrete explanation about injections
- Make use of magical thinking
- Provide comfort measures after the injections
Review appropriate dosing guidelines for drugs given to older adults.
- Medications will be of smaller doses, be aware of their medications because of an increased risk of interaction
the differences in risks associated with administering drugs in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy.
- 1st trimester: greatest danger for drug-induced developmental defects, Drug exposure is more detrimental during the 1st trimester.
- 3rd trimester: Drug transfer is more likely, Transfer of drugs occurs through diffusion across the placenta.
Identify physiologic differences that affect pharmacokinetics in neonatal and pediatric patients.
- Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion are for the most part decreased.
- Absorption: Gastric pH is less acidic, first pass is reduces, intramuscular absorption is faster and irregular
- Distribution: fat content is lower, protein binding is decreased, more drugs enter the brain because of an immature blood-brain barrier
- Metabolism: microsomal enzymes are decreased, increased metabolism, status of liver enzyme production
- Excretion: Glomerular filtration rate and tubular secretion and resorption are decreased, perfusion of kidneys may be decreased
Still anatomic structures & physiologic structures still developing - Dosages should be severly decreased
- Some organs are not fully developed yet so worry about potential drug toxicity
- May have unusual drug responses due to organs not fully developed
Drug therapy during breastfeeding
- A great number of drugs can cross from mother’s circulation into breast milk.
- Drug levels are usually lower than in maternal circulation, but must consider risks vs. benefits
Calculating drug dosage in pediatric patients
- Body Weight: Most commonly used method today
- Dosages based on milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight
- Need to know 1 kg = 2.2 pounds
- Body Surface Area:
Uses a specific formula to calculate dosage
Consideration for elderly with drugs
- Drug therapy likely to result in AEs & toxicities due to:
Polypharmacy, Physiologic changes, Pharmacokinetics - Absorption is slowed.
- Distribution is decreased.
- Metabolism is decreased.
- Excretion is decreased.
- START LOW AND GO SLOW
purpose of using placebo drugs in investigational drug trials.
Separate out the real benefits from the apparent benefits
the ethical principles and the nursing roles associated with each
- Autonomy: self determination and the ability to act on ones own
- Beneficence: the ethical principle of doing or actively promoting good
- Justice: ethical principle of being fair or equal in one’s actions
- Nonmaleficence: duty to do no harm to a patient
- Veracity: the duty to tell the truth
legal principles of duty and causation.
- Duty: do job
- Causation: knowing the aspects that can cause malpractice
who maintains responsibility to the patient in cases where nursing students make a med error.
- Once the student has committed a medication error, his or her responsibility is to the patient and to being honest and accountable.