Pharm Final Exam Flashcards
What are the four main pharmacokinetic (PK) phase and what occurs during each phase?
🔶 Absorption.
* Movement of the meds into the blood stream via the (veins).
🔶 Distribution.
* Movement of the meds from the blood into the tissue and cells via the (Heart).
🔶 Metabolism
* Change in the drug structure (Liver)
🔶 Excretion
* Movement out of the body (Kidney)
Define pharmacodynamics (PD) and explain how it differs from Pharmacokinetics.
- Pharmacodynamics - “This is how a drug works in the body.”
- Pharmacokinetics - “The movement of drugs.”
How does proteins binding affect the distribution and action of a drug in the body?
- By changing the effective concentration of the drug at its site of action.
- By changing the rate at which the drug is eliminated,
What is the first-pass effect and how does it influence the bioavailability of a drug?
🔶 These are meds that are metabolized in the liver after being absorbed into the portal circulation from the small intestines.
* Levothyroxine
* Esomeprazole
* Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
What are the key steps in the nursing process when administering medications?
- Assessment
- Analysis (or Nursing Diagnosis)
- Planning
- Implementation
- Evaluation
List at least three patient identifiers that should be used when giving medications to ensure patient safety?
- The patient’s :-
* Name
* Birthday
* Assigned ID number (Medical Record number)
* Telephone number
* Photo ID
When should medication reconciliation be performed?
- Medication reconciliation is done every time a patient is transferred from one level of care to another.
Eg. (ICU to Step down) or (Med surg to ICU) or (Admission and Discharge)
Who does the Medication reconciliation?
- The Doctors do the reconciliation.
(The nurse only makes sure that the doctors have done it.)
What are the common signs and symptoms of Anaphylaxis?
- Rash
- Hives
- Hypotension
- Blocking of the airway
How do we manage Anaphylaxis in an emergency situation?
- Give epinephrine.
- Maintain the airway.
- Monitor the client very closely.
Describe the typical Anticholinergic effects of certain medications?
- Anticholinergic medications interferes with the system making it hard for the body to enter the “Rest and Digest” mode.
- Can’t see
- Can’t spit
- Can’t pee
- Can’t defecate
List the medications that cause Anticholinergic effects.
- Benztropine
- Trihexyphenidyl
- TCA
What are the risk factors for Drug-induced hepatotoxicity and how can it be detected?
- They can be detected through signs and symptoms of Liver failure:- “JAUNDICE”
* Jaundice * Anorexia * Upper abdominal pain * Nausea / Vomiting / Diarrhea * Dark urine * Increased need of sleep * Clay stool (Grayish) * Ecchymosis (Irritated skin) -
- They can be detected through the lab results:-
* AST
* ALT - The risk factors of Hepatotoxicity includes:-
* Liver Disease
* Alcoholism
Explain the signs of CNS depression?
- Bradycardia
- Decreased respirations
- Extreme confusion/ memory loss.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Poor judgment.
- Blue lips or fingertips.
- Irritability and aggression.
- Clammy or cold skin.
What are the potential consequences of overdosing on CNS depressant drugs?
- Can decrease respirations or even stop the breathing.
- Can increase the risk of falling in older adults
- Decreased heart rate.
- Loss of consciousness
- Can leading to coma or death.
What is Orthostatic Hypotension?
- Its when you move from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and gravity pulls much of the blood to the lower extremities.
How can we manage Orthostatic Hypotension?
- Change positions slowly.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Wear support hose.
Define polypharmacy and explain its potential risks, particularly for elderly patients.
- Polypharmacy - Is when older adults take alot of drugs (more than one).
- Potential risks for polypharmacy include:-
* Toxicity
* drug interaction
How do age-related changes in pharmacokinetics affect drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in geriatric and pediatric patients?
🔶 The aging process causes the liver and kidney function to decline.
- Naturally, this usually means dosages should be decreased.
🔶 The pediatric, their organs (Kidneys & livers ) are under developed, that affects the pharmacokinetics process.
Explain the purpose of the Beers Criteria.
🔶 Beers Criteria
- Is a helpful resource that specifies which drugs are most dangerous to older adults and provides a succinct rationale (American Geriatrics Society, 2019).
Describe the basic structure and function of a neuron.
- The neurons sending and receiving neurotransmitters (chemicals that carry information between brain cells.)
Explain the role of synapses in neuronal communication.
- They connect neurons
- They help transmit information from one neuron to the next.
Describe the process of neurotransmitter release, reuptake, and degradation.
🔶 Reuptake.
- This is where the neurotransmitters are sucked back inside the presynaptic terminal where they can be recycles for future use.
🔶 Degradation.
- The brain makes enzymes that break apart neurotransmitters.
Explain the mechanism of action mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
- These drugs, as their name states, are very selective.
- SSRIs only block serotonin reuptake pumps.
- This only increase levels of serotonin in the brain.