HLTH 2501 module 4: pharmacology

Question 1

what is pharmacology?

Answer 1

the study of drugs, their actions, dosage, therapeutic uses, and adverse effects

Question 2

what is a drug?

Answer 2

a substance that alters biologic activity in a person

Question 3

what may drugs come from?

Answer 3

plants, animals, microorganisms such as fungi, or they may be synthesized

Question 4

reasons why drugs may be prescribed?

Answer 4

to promote healing, to cure a disease, to slow a disease, to prevent a disease, to increase comfort, as replacement therapy, and to reduce excessive activity in the body

Question 5

pharmcodynamics

Answer 5

drug-induced responses of physiologic and biochemical systems

Question 6

pharmacokinetics

Answer 6

drug amounts at different sites after administration

Question 7

pharmacotherapeutics

Answer 7

choice and drug application for disease prevention, treatment, or diagnosis

Question 8

toxicology

Answer 8

study of the body’s response to drugs, harmful effects, mechanisms of action, symptoms, treatment, and identification

Question 9

pharmacy

Answer 9

preparation, compounding, dispensing, and record keeping of therapeutic drugs

Question 10

separate disciplines of pharmacology

Answer 10

pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacotherapeutics, toxicology, and pharmacy

Question 11

what are drugs classified on?

Answer 11

their primary pharmacologic action and effect; ex. anti inflammatory

Question 12

indications for drugs

Answer 12

found in a drug manual and provide the approved uses of diseases for which the drug has been effective

Question 13

side effects

Answer 13

are unwanted actions of a drug and are often mild, ex. dry mouth

Question 14

adverse effects

Answer 14

toxic side effects that are dangerous, cause tissue damage, or are life-threatening; ex. excessive bleeding

Question 15

types of adverse effects

Answer 15

hypersensitivity responses, idiosyncratic, iatrogenic, teratogenic, and interactions

Question 16

idiosyncratic response

Answer 16

reactions are unexpected and unusual; ex. excessive excitement after taking a sedative

Question 17

iatrogenic response

Answer 17

refers to a negative effect on the body caused by a medication error, drug overdose, or unusual response

Question 18

teratogenic effects

Answer 18

effects that are harmful on the fetus, leading to developmental defects

Question 19

interaction reactions

Answer 19

occur when a drug’s effect is modified by combining it with another drug, food, herbal compound, or other material; occur often with nonprescription drugs

Question 20

synergism

Answer 20

interaction effect causing an increased reaction; can be life-threatening such as coma or a hemorrhage

Question 21

antagonism

Answer 21

interaction effect causing a decreased reaction

Question 22

potentiation

Answer 22

when one drug enhances the effect of a second drug

Question 23

dose vs dosage

Answer 23

dose is the amount of drug given as a single time and dosage is the total amount of the drug given over a period of time

Question 24

loading dose principle

Answer 24

refers to the first dose being larger or given by injection to achieve effective drug levels effectively

Question 25

why is the frequency of drug dosing important?

Answer 25

because it maintains effective blood levels of the drug without toxicity

Question 26

what are optimal dosing schedules based on?

Answer 26

absorption rate, how it is transported in the blood, half-life of the drug, and biotransformation

Question 27

most common drug schedule

Answer 27

taken every 6 hours over the 24-hour day, often with meals

Question 28

what are blood levels of a drug dependent on?

Answer 28

circulation, age, gender, body weight and BMI, activity level, food and fluid intake, ability to absorb and metabolize drugs, genetic factors, and presence of diseases

Question 29

local administration of drugs

Answer 29

includes topical application to the skin or mucous membranes, oral administration, or some inhalation drugs

Question 30

systemic administration of drugs

Answer 30

includes transdermal, oral, sublingual, transdermal, rectal, some inhalation drugs, IMS, intravenous injection, and intrathecal injection

Question 31

intrathecal injection

Answer 31

injection through the meninges around the spinal cord and into the subarachnoid space

Question 32

2 major routes for drug adminstration

Answer 32

oral or parenteral (injection)

Question 33

enteric-coated tablets

Answer 33

have a special coating that prevents breakdown until the tablet is in the intestine; helpful for preventing gastric ulcers or bleeding

Question 34

oral tablets

Answer 34

have a long onset time and are simple to use; absorbed from the stomach, to the liver, then into the general circulation so some drug is lost

Question 35

sublingual treatment

Answer 35

immediate delivery into blood and little drug is lost, simple and convenient to use

Question 36

subcutaneous injection

Answer 36

requires a syringe and allows for slow absorption into the blood

Question 37

IMS

Answer 37

requires syringe and has gradual absorption into the blood

Question 38

intravenous injection

Answer 38

immediate onset and no drug loss; however, requires skill and equipment

Question 39

inhalation of drugs

Answer 39

has rapid onset and little drug is lost

Question 40

topical drugs

Answer 40

onset is rapid but absorption of the drugs varies

Question 41

intraperitoneal pump

Answer 41

requires surgery and has an immediate onset

Question 42

where are most drugs metabolised?

Answer 42

the liver

Question 43

barriers to drug passage

Answer 43

the blood-brain barrier and the placental barrier

Question 44

drug-receptor interaction

Answer 44

what receptor the drug interacts with (in the cell or at the cell membrane); can be enzymes, natural hormones, neurotransmitters, or electrolytes

Question 45

agonist drug

Answer 45

the drug binds to a receptor and stimulates the same activity as the natural substance

Question 46

antagonist drug

Answer 46

a drug binds to a receptor and inhibits the natural substance

Question 47

beta-adrenergic blocking agents

Answer 47

bind to beta receptors in the SNS in the heart, preventing epinephrine from stimulating the heart to contract faster; works to decrease BP

Question 48

4 categories of drug responses

Answer 48

dose effects, time effects, variability, and toxicity

Question 49

what is drug administration a balance of?

Answer 49

giving an amount large enough to produce a therapeutic effect but not enough to create a toxic effect

Question 50

what is a prescription?

Answer 50

a signed legal document that must include the patient’s name, address, and age, the prescriber’s name, address, and identification, the date, and the name and amount of drug, along with its route and directions

Question 51

generic name

Answer 51

the unique, official, simple name for a specific drug

Question 52

trade name

Answer 52

the brand name which is a trademark name used by a single manufacturer

Question 53

example of generic vs trade name

Answer 53

advil is the trade name and ibuprofen is the generic name

Question 54

FDA

Answer 54

regulates the production, labeling, distribution and other aspects of drug control

Question 55

high risk drugs according to the FDA

Answer 55

are those with potential adverse effects and abuse

Question 56

centre for disease control and prevention (CDC)

Answer 56

maintains a stock of drugs for rare infections that can only be obtained through consultation with the CDC

Question 57

schedule II drug

Answer 57

has a high probability of abuse, ex. raw opium

Question 58

schedule V drug

Answer 58

has less potential for abuse

Question 59

clinical trials for drugs

Answer 59

have many safety guidelines and rules; has prolonged time periods; and many trials