Module 3: Basic Pharmacology Flashcards
brand name medication
- assigned by medications manufacturer
- begins with capital letter
generic name medication
- noncommercial
- less complex than chemical name but more complex than brand name
agit
shake, stir
aq
water
DAW
dispense as written
dil
dilute
disp
dispense
eq
equivalent
ext
extract
MDI
metered-dose inhaler
MO
mineral oil
neb
nebulizer
nr
no refills
qs
sufficient amount
rept
repeat
sig
write on label
anticholinergics
reduce bronchospasm
what created five schedules for controlled substances
controlled substance act (CSA)
who designated medications as controlled substances assigned to five schedules
US drug enforcement administration (DEA)
Schedule 1
- high potential for abuse
- no approved medical use
- illegal, cannot be prescribed
- heroin, mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana
Schedule 2
- high potential for abuse, dangerous
- can lead to psychological and physical dependence
- handwritten prescriptions with no refills
- kept in locked cabinet
- morphine, methadone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, methamphetamine
Schedule 3
- moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence
- handwritten prescription with 5 refills in 6 months
- ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone
Schedule 4
- low potential for abuse and dependence
- signed prescriptions with 5 refills in 6 months
- staff may authorize refills over the phone
- diazepam, zolpidem, eszopiclone, alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam
Schedule 5
- limited quantities of narcotics
- usually antidiarrheal, antitussive, analgesic
- signed prescriptions with 5 refills in 6 months
- staff may authorize refills over the phone
- diphenoxylate with atropine, pregabalin, lacosamide, opium/pectin/belladona
therapeutic effects
- good effects
- closely tied to indications
- ex: sustained reduction in blood pressure
side effects
- undesirable and unintended actions on the body
- limit use of medications
- ex: nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, nasal congestion
adverse event
- harmful action
- prevents further use
- allergic reaction
- ex: swelling of face, serious decrease in blood pressure
indications
- problem provider prescribes medication for
- ex: high blood pressure
contraindication
- symptoms or condition that makes medication inadvisable or dangerous
- ex: previous allergic reaction, liver disease for medications toxic to the liver
precautions
- problems that pose lesser risk but require close observation and monitoring
medication for minor allergic reaction
diphenhydramine (antihistamine)
medication for serious or anaphylactic reaction
epinephrine
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) react dangerously with
- foods containing tyramine (avocados, smoked meats, wine, most cheeses)
- other antidepressants
how does grapefruit interact with medications
- interferes with metabolism
- raises levels of medications causing toxicity
- dextromethorphan, simvastatin, sildenafil
what medications does St. John’s wort interact with
- warfarin and oral contraceptives
- reduces effectiveness
propranolol + albuterol =
both medications lose effectiveness
aspirin + warfarin =
risk of hemorrhage
antibiotics + oral contraceptives =
oral contraceptives are less effective
metric equivalent of 15 drops/15 minims
1 mL
metric equivalent of 1tsp/1dram
5 mL
metric equivalent of 1tbsp/4 drams
15 mL
metric equivalent of 1oz/2tbsp/8drams
30 mL
metric equivalent of 1cup/8oz
240 mL
metric equivalent of 1 pint
480 mL (~500 mL)
metric equivalent of 1 quart
960 mL (~1 L)
metric equivalent of 1 gallon
3830 mL
metric equivalent of 2.2 lb
1 kg
formula method for dosage calculations
desired/have x quantity
BSA method for pediatric dosage calculations
BSA/1.7 x adult dose
avoiding errors with look/sound alike medication
- do not use abbreviations for med names
- “tall man” (mixed case) lettering to emphasize confusing parts: cefoTEtan and cefOXitin
- change appearance to alert staff
- create labels with indications
- store in separate areas
- alter computer selection to distinguish
pharmacokinetics
- study of how medications move through body
- absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion
absorption
- body converts medication into usable form
- moves into bloodstream
factors affecting absorption speed
- route: IV = quick onset
- fat solubility: highly fat soluble = pass easily into blood
- surface area for absorption: stomach is smaller than intestines = intestines absorb faster
distribution
- transportation to sites of action
blood-brain barrier
- barrier to distribution
- protects brain from dangerous chemicals
- makes it hard to get therapeutic substances to brain
why are many medications risky for pregnant women to take
they pass the placental barrier easily
metabolism
- changes active forms of medication into metabolites ready for excretion
- liver is primary organ
- kidney also metabolize
factors affecting metabolism
- age (infants and older adults have least effective metabolism)
- how many medications you take
- health of various organs and tissues
- genetic makeup
excretion
- removal of medications metabolites from body
- urine, feces, saliva, bile, sweat, breast milk, exhaled air
- half life: time to eliminate half a dose of medication
why is a medication half life important
- determines dosing intervals
- keeping medication in therapeutic range
rights of medication administration
- right pt: 2 identifiers
- right medication: taking out, preparing to administer, putting container away
- right dose: check calculations
- right route
- right time: food requirements
- right assessment: allergies, medical history
- right to refuse: never coerce pt
- right technique
- right documentation: after pt receives medication
- right reason: inform why provider prescribed
- right to know: follow up education
- right evaluation: observe for side effects/reaction
physicians desk reference
- new edition each year
- current and detailed info about medications
what does proper documentation of medication administration include
- date
- time
- quantity
- medication
- strength
- lot number
- manufacturer
- expiration date
- patient outcome
