intro and basics Flashcards
What is pharmacotherapeutic’s
Drugs and the study of drugs in humans
The use of drugs to diagnose prevent or treat disease
What are the properties of the perfect drug
Effective Safe with minimal side effects Easy to administer No drug interactions with other drugs Relatively inexpensive NOTE: the 'perfect drug' does not exist
What are the principles of pharmacokinetics (drug movement throughout the body)
- absorption - site of administration into the blood
- distribution - drug movement from the blood to the interstitial space
- metabolism - the breakdown and transformation of the drug
- excretion - movement of the drug and metabolites out of the body
Factors that influence drug doses
Kidney and liver function
Results of blood test by a lab
Seven processes in neurotransmitter action
- neurotransmitters are synthesized
- neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles
- neurotransmitters are leaked and destroyed by enzymes
- action potentials cause vesicles to release the neurotransmitter into the synapse
- neurotransmitter binds with auto-receptors which inhibit subsequent neurotransmitter release
- Neurotransmitter binds to post synaptic receptors
- the released neurotransmitter molecules are deactivated either by re-uptake or enzymatic degradation
Agonists
Drugs that occupy receptors and activate them
It activates the nerve to make the nerve fire
Antagonists
Drugs that occupy receptors but do not activate them. They block receptor activation by agonist
Agonist drug effects
- Increase synthesis
- Increases the release of neurotransmitter molecules
- The drug binds to auto receptors which block inhibitory effect
- either activate or increase the effect on postsynaptic receptors
- blocks the deactivation and degradation or reuptake
Antagonist drug affects
- blocks the synthesis
- causes transmitters to leak from vesicles and get destroyed by enzymes
- blocks the release of neurotransmitter molecules from terminal buttons
- activate autoreceptors and inhibits neurotransmitter release
- it is the receptor blocker at postsynaptic receptors
Seratonin OR 5-HT function and (+/-) levels
Body = B.P. and gut control Brain = mood, emotions, sleep/wake, feeding, temp.reg. \+ = feel sick, get hungry, headaches/migraines - = depressed, drowsy
Dopamine function and (+/-) levels
Brain: muscle tension, perceptions, sorts out what is real, important, imaginary
+ = schizophrenia, too much perception
- = muscles tighten, Parkinson’s
Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) function and (+/-) levels
Body = heart and B.P. Brain = controls sleep, wakefulness, arousal, mood, emotion and drive \+ = anxious, jittery - = depressed, sedated, dizzy, low B.P.
Acetylcholine function and (+/-) levels
Body = motor function from the brain to the body. passes the message from the nerve to the muscle Brain = Controls arousal, ability to use memory, learning tasks \+ = muscles tighten up - = dry mouth, blurred vision, confusion, poor memory/learning (Alzheimer's)
Glutamate function and (+/-) levels
Brain = acts as the "accelerator" \+ = anxious, overactive/excited - = drowsy, sedated
GABA function and (+/-) levels
Brain = acts as the "brake" \+ = drowsy, sedated - = anxious, excited
nurses role in pharmacotherapy - the 7 R’s
Make sure you understand the use of the medication and the possible actions consequences of the drug
7 R’s: Right: drug, Pt., dose, route, time, indication, documentation.
Regular release: drug formulations
Medicine that is formulated to release into the body quickly which increases the dosing frequency
IR - Immediate Release
Sustained release: drug formulations
Medicine that is formulated to release into the body steadily over a period of time which which reduces the dosing frequency LA - Long Acting CR - controlled release SR - Sustained release XL - extra long PA - prolonged action CONTIN - longer acting Patches (slower absorption)
What is a MAR
Medical Administration Record given to nurses to guide their daily drug admin to Pt’s
types of parenteral drug administration
Intraveneous (IV) - directly into blood stream, rapid onset, irritant drugs may be better tolerated by Pt.
Intramuscular (IM) - directly injected into large muscle. Used for Depot (long acting)drugs
Subcutaneous (SC) - injected just under the skin (i.e.insulin).
Key points to topical drug administration
patches, creams, ointments.
Easy to administer, slow absorption, messy. If toxicity occurs take the patch off
Key points to inhalation drug administration (puffers)
Messy and hard to administer
local administration with low systemic toxicity
Key points to ocular drug administration (drops and ointments)
Messy and hard to administer
local administration with low systemic toxicity
Key points to ear drug administration
Messy and hard to administer
local administration with low systemic toxicity
difficulty hearing
