Lecture 1- Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Administration for the Radiographer Flashcards
Define Pharmacology:
The study of drugs actions and interactions.
Define what a drug is:
Chemical agent that produces a physiologic or biological effect in an organism.
What is the difference between drugs and medication?
Medications: are targeted in a positive way (causes a positive effect)
Drug: An umbrella term that includes medications
Is the radiographer licenced to administer drugs?
Yes, they are allowed to administer under medical directive and it must be documented.
Is the radiographer licenced to prescribe drugs?
No, only physicians can perscribe drugs.
What is a medical directive?
It is role specific (e.g., MRT), not person specific and users within the role must possess the necessary **knowledge, skill and judgment **before implementing the medical directive.
Under a medical directive, what are the types of orders?
- Standing
- STAT
- PRN
- Verbal
What is a standing order?
Written directions for specific medication or exam; part of policies and procedures
i.e. daily orders
What does a STAT order mean?
Drugs to be administered immediately
Will not often see this for drug orders.
What does a PRN order mean?
Drug administered as necessary
What is required for a verbal order?
-Given to person authorized to receive the order
-Should be documented and signed by that person (MRT)
i.e. Given an order over the phone if order is missing when patient arrives
Do alternitive medicines need to be documented in the drug history of a patient?
Yes, regardless of the type or use
Note how much the patient is taking
If a drug error is made by the radiographer, what must they do?
The incident must be completely documented - the radiographer must complete an **institutional incident report ** according to the policy of the employer.
-How many people involved
What is a Proprietary/Trade Name?
Assigned to a drug by the manufacturer (Brand name)
i.e. Gravel, tylenol
Define Generic Name in relation to the administration of drugs:
Who must learn generic names?
- Given to a drug before its official approval for use.
- Must be learned by all persons administering the drug
Ibprofin, acetominiphin
As a radiographer, what type of names should we be able to identify drugs by?
The radiographer must be able to identify certain drugs by their ** trade name and their generic name.**
What is Pharmacokinetics?
The study of how a drug is absorbed into the body, circulates within the body (distributed), is changed by the body (metabolized), and leaves the body (excreted).
Define Bioavailability:
The amount of drug that actually reaches the systemic circulation
Once a drug is taken into the body, when does it start to act?
a. Once it reaches the stomach
b. Once its absorbed and taken through the blood stream
c. Once the cells release pro-inflammatory or an anti-infmmatory response
d. Immedietly
b. Once its absorbed and taken through the blood stream
What plays an important part in drugs bioavailability.
The route of drug administration
What is the First Pass Effect?
Refers to partial metabolism of a drug before it reaches the systemic circulation.
(i.e. has to go through gut)
What types of routes of adminsitration avoid the first-pass effect by going directly into systemic circulation.
Drugs administered by sublingual, vaginal, IV, or parenteral route
What type of route of administration requires a larger dose and why?
Generally, much larger dose are required for drugs administered orally than those given by parenteral routes because they are susceptible to the first pass effect.
What is the absorption rate determined by?
Determined by how the drug is administered, the physicochemical properties of the drug and formulation.
In which state must drugs be in to be absorbed?
All drugs must be in liquid form to be absorbed
-Even oral medication in liquid form get absorbed faster than solid form
What phase do drugs that are administered in solid form have to go through prior to absorption by the body?
Drugs that are administered in solid form must go through a phase called the pharmaceutic phase before they can be absorbed.
What is the the pharmaceutic phase?
The solid form of the drugs must be broken down into tiny particles to be dissolved in fluids within the GI tract (small intestine).
Do drugs that are administered orally or parenterally in liquid go through the pharmaceutic phase?
No
Why do older patients (above 65) require a reduction in dose of medication?
Due to a decrease in distribution, metabolism and excretion.
Why do infants and children require a reduction in dose?
Because of a reduced capacity for metabolism and excretion.
What can delayed metabolism of a drug result in?
- accumulation of drug
- extended effect of drug
Geriatric considerations
If a patient has a decreased cardiac output, what happens to absorption and distribuation of a drug?
It decreases
Geriatric considerations
If a patient has a decreased blood flow, what happens to the absorption and distribuation of a drug?
It decreases
Geriatric considerations
What does a decrease in peristalsis cause in relation to gastric emptying?
Decreased gastric emptying
Geriatric considerations
If you have a decrease in gastrointenstinal enzyme production, what phase does it slow down in relation to drugs?
It slows the metabolism of drugs
Geriatric considerations
If you have a decrease in hepatic blood flow, what phase does it slow down in relation to drugs?
It decreases exretion of drugs
Geriatric considerations
If a paitent has a decreased function of kidneys, what phase does it slow down in relation to drugs?
Decreases the excretion of drugs
Geriatric considerations
If a patient has a decreased glomerular filteration rate, what phase does it slow down in relation to drugs?
It decreases the excretion of drugs
Geriatric considerations
What is the effect of increased pH?
Increased alkaline gastric secretions
What are the factors that affect pharmacokinetics?
- Presence of disease in the liver or kidneys can influence the metabolism and excretions of the drug.
- Drug interactions
- Patient weight.
- Sex
- Ethnicity and Genetics
- Nutritional status
- Immune status
- Time/interval of administration.
What are the areas of rapid distribution in the body in relation to drugs?
Heart, liver, kidneys, brain
What are the areas of slow distribution in the body in relation to drugs?
Muscle, skin, fat
What is Metabolism/Biotransformation?
The process of transforming of the drug into an inactive form (metabolite) that can be excreted by:
a. Kidneys
b. Lungs
c.Intestinal mucosa (feces)