Exam 2 Flashcards
Pharmacology
Study of various substances interact with or alter the function of living organisms.
Biotransformation
The possible effects of a medication absorbed into the body.
- An inactive substance can become active
- An active med can be changed into another active medication
- An active medication may be completely or partially inactivated
- A medication is transformed into a substance (active or inactive) that is easier for the body to eliminate
Bioavailability
The % of the unchanged medication that reaches systemic circulation.
IV: 100% bioavailability
IO: Similar to IV
IM: 75-100% bioavailability
SL: Low bioavailability
Rectal: >90% bioavailability
Pharmacokinetics
The activity of medications in the body over time, such as absorption, distribution, and elimination.
How the body affects a drug
Pharmacodynamics
The biochemical and physiologic effects and mechanisms of action of a medication in the body
How a drug affects our body
Described by:
Onset, Peak, and Duration (of action)
Synergism
Two medications with a similar effect combine to produce an effect greater than the sum of the medications’ effects
1+1>2
Summation
Two medications with a similar effect combine to produce an effect equal to the sum of the individual effect of each medication
1+1=2
Potentiation
The effect of one medication is greatly enhanced by the presence of another medication, which does not have the ability to produce the same effect
Ex. Promethazine is given to increase the effects of antitussives for more improved relief of cough than is achieved with antitussives alone
Antagonism
Two medications, each producing opposite effects, are present simultaneously, resulting in minimal or no clinical changes
Cancel each other out
Agonist
Initiate or alter cellular activity by attaching to receptor sites, prompting a cell response
Antagonist
Prevent agonist chemicals from reaching cell receptor cite and initiating or altering a particular cellular activity
Competitive Binder
Temporarily binds to receptor cite
Affinity
The ability of a medication to bind to a specific receptor site
Immune-Mediated Response
Substances trigger an exaggerated response from the body’s immune system
Indication
A circumstance that shows cause for the pathology or treatment of a disease; serves as a guide or warning
Mechanism of Action
How a medication produces the intended response
Contraindication
Any condition that is known to render some particular line of treatment that is improper or undesirable
Adverse Effect
Any abnormal or harmful effects caused by exposure to a chemical
Onset
How long it takes for the med to enter the body and take effect
Peak
Estimated amount of time that the medication will have the greatest effect on the patient/system
Duration of Action
Estimated amount of time that medication will have an effect on the body
Dosage
The average volume or dose of a medication administered to patient to obtain intended effect
Class of Medication
The grouping to which a medication belongs
Incompatibilities
Problems that may occur when two or more medications are administered together; at the same time or through the same delivery device
Inotropic
The effect on the contractility of muscle tissue, especially cardiac muscle
Chronotropic
Related to the effect of the rate of contraction of the heart
Dromotropic
Related to the effect of conduction speed/velocity on the heart
First-pass Metabolism
When the concentration of a drug is greatly reduced before it reaches systemic circulation
Metabolite
A medication that has undergone biotransformation.
Active metabolite: Able to alter a cellular process or body function
Inactive metabolite: No longer able to alter a cell process or body function; not pharmacologically active
First-Order Elimination
The process in which the rate of elimination is directly influenced by plasma levels of a substance
The more substance in the plasma, the more the body works to eliminate the substance
Plasma-Binding
Medication molecules attach to proteins in the blood plasma and as a result alters the distribution of certain medications throughout the body
Therapeutic Index
The relationship between the median effective dose and the median lethal dose
Therapeutic Threshold
The range in which a medication is effective without unacceptable adverse events
Loading Dose
An initial higher dose of a drug given at the beginning of treatment before dropping down to a lower maintenance dose
Hypersensitivity
Any response of the body to any substance to which a patient has increased sensitivity. A generic term for a variety of reactions.
Allergy: hypersensitivity to the presence of an allergen
Autoimmunity: production of antibodies or t cells that work against the tissues of one’s own body, producing hypersensitive reactions or autoimmune disease
Isoimmunity: The formation of T cells or antibodies directed against the antigens on another person’s cells (typically after transplants)
Habituation
The unusual tolerance of the therapeutic and adverse clinical effects of a medication or chemical
A physical and psychological dependence on a drug
Addiction
A chronic disorder characterized by the compulsive use of a substance that results in physical, psychological, economic, legal, or social harm to the user; the user continues to use the substance despite the harm
Tolerance
Physiological adaptation to the effects of a drug that increasingly larger doses of the drug are required to achieve the same effect
Idiosyncratic Reaction
Adverse effects that are completely unexpected and not previously known
Iatrogenic Response
Related to a side effect or complication of medications or other medical treatment
Dopaminergic Receptor Sites
Vasodilation of renal and mesenteric arteries
Nicotinic Receptor Sites
Present at neuromuscular junction, allowing ACh to stimulate muscle contraction
Muscarinic-2 Receptor Sites
Present in the heart; activated by ACh to offset stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, decreasing HR, contractility, and electrical conduction velocity
Opioid Receptor Sites
Present in central and peripheral nervous system, bowels, and various tissues. Activated by opioid substances to produce analgesia (the inability to feel pain), euphoria, respiratory depression (when the lungs fail to exchange O2 and CO2 efficiently), and other clinical effects
Alpha-1 Adrenergic Receptor
Vasoconstriction of arteries and veins
Alpha-2 Adrenergic Receptor
Insulin restriction, glucagon secretion, inhibition of norepinephrine release
Beta-1 Adrenergic Receptor
Positive Chronotropic, Positive Inotropic, Positive Dromotropic, and Renin secretion for urinary retention
Beta-2 Adrenergic Receptor
Bronchodilation, Insulin Secretion, Uterine relaxation, and arterial dilation in certain key organs
Schedule 1 Medications
High abuse potential; no recognized medical purpose
Ex. Heroin, marijuana, LSD
Schedule 2 Medications
High abuse potential; legitimate medical purpose
Ex. Fentynyl, Methylphenidate, Cocaine
Schedule 3 Medications
Lower potential for abuse than schedule II medications
Ex. Hydrocodone, Acetametaphine w/ Codine, Ketamine
Schedule 4 Medications
Lower potential for abuse than Schedule III drugs
Ex. Diazepam and Lorazepam
