Introduction to Pharmacology Flashcards
What is pharmacology?
Pharmacology is a branch of medicine that studies the uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs.
It includes concepts such as Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics.
Define pharmacokinetics.
Movement of drugs through the body.
Define pharmacodynamics.
Effects of the drugs on the body.
How do drugs move through the body? (ADME)
Absorbed - such as through the skin or stomach
Distributed - once absorbed gets into systemic circulation and distributed into the fluids outside and inside the cells
Metabolised - once distributed the body starts metabolising (modifying the drug primarily by the liver so that it’s easy to excrete )
Excreted - bile, urine and faeces
Name 4 parenteral routes for drug administration?
- Intravenous injection (fast acting) (IV)
- Subcutaneous injection (SC)
- Intramuscular injection (IM)
- Intradermal
Name at least 5 routes of drug administration?
- Parenteral
- Per Oral
- Sublingual
- Per rectal
- Per vaginal
- Intranasal
- Topical
- Transdermal
- Otic (Ear Drops)
- Optic (Eye drops)
- Buccal
- Nasogastric
- Inhaled
- Enteral
What is a drug?
A drug is a chemical substance (any substance) used in the treatment, cure, prevention or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being.
When asking a patient about what drugs they take, it is important to what?
Ask about all substances they take not just prescribed medicine. i.e. vitamins.
What are three things you look for in a ideal drug?
- Safe - more benefits than negatives
- Selective - kill bacteria and not human cells.
- Effective - drug is doing what you need it to.
What is the goal in pharmacology?
- Maximum benefit for the patient
- Minimum harm to the patient
What determines the strength of a drug response?
- Dosage of medication
- Route medication is given
- Timing in-between doses
- Unique patient individual differences
- Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacodynamics
What are three things a nurse should consider when administering drugs?
- The 5 rights: drug, dose, route, time and patient -
- Does the patient have any contraindications for taking this drug/
- Is the medication chart considered legal?
How many National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS) are there?
8
What are the eight NSQHS standards?
- Clinical Governance
- Partnering with Consumers
- Preventing and controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection
- Medcation Safety
- Comprehensive Care
- Communicating for Safety
- Blood Management
- Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration
Define Agonist.
An agonist creates a certain reaction.
