Pharmacologic Principles

Question 1

Topical route

Answer 1

skin, eyes, ears, nose, lungs, rectum, vagina

Question 2

how fast do topical powders/solutions work?

Answer 2

immediately

Question 3

do ointments/gels/creams have a local or systemic effect?

Answer 3

local, but some can be systemic (nitro)

Question 4

Transdermal patches deliver a…

Answer 4

constant amount of medication

Question 5

how fast is absorption from inhaled meds?

Answer 5

fairly rapid

Question 6

what are suppositories?

Answer 6

a med put into the rectum or vagina

Question 7

where is the enteral route absorbed

Answer 7

mucosa of the stomach, small, or large intestine

Question 8

enteral is any form of medication the enters through…

Answer 8

the mouth

Question 9

immediate release pills release…

Answer 9

all active ingredients quickly

Question 10

extended release pills…

Answer 10

release slowly

Question 11

syrups

Answer 11

contain active ingredients and large amounts of sugars

Question 12

suspension/emulsion

Answer 12

powder mixed with liquid activates the medicine when shaken

Question 13

elixir

Answer 13

sweetened alcohol and water

Question 14

lozenges

Answer 14

never chewed or swallowed, placed in mouth & dissolves over time

Question 15

Sublingual

Answer 15

placed under the tongue

Question 16

parenteral

Answer 16

the fastest, any route other than GI tract (most common is IV)

Question 17

first-pass effect

Answer 17

breakdown of potency of a medication in liver, reduces bioavailability of drug to <100%

Question 18

parenteral bypasses the…

Answer 18

first-pass effect on liver

Question 19

topical also bypasses…

Answer 19

the first-pass effect

Question 20

what factors affect absorption?

Answer 20

• ability for drug to dissolve/solubility
• blood flow to administration site
• body surface area

Question 21

During biotransformation (metabolism), the drug is altered to a…

Answer 21

less active form

Question 22

half-life

Answer 22

• time required for 50% of a drug to be removed from the body
• after 5 half-lives, most drugs are considered eliminated

Question 23

steady state

Answer 23

amount of drug eliminated is equal to the amount of drug absorbed
(rate in = rate out)

Question 24

onset

Answer 24

how quickly a medication will work

Question 25

peak

Answer 25

when the medication will reach maximum effectiveness (highest level in blood)

Question 26

trough

Answer 26

lowest level in blood

Question 27

duration

Answer 27

how long the pain relief will last

Question 28

absorption

Answer 28

movement of drug into the bloodstream

Question 29

mechanism of action

Answer 29

effects vary based on cell structure of the intended target

Question 30

drug-receptor interaction

Answer 30

drug receptor interaction is the joining of the drug molecule w/ a reactive site on the surface of a cell or tissue

Question 31

agonist

Answer 31

drug binds to receptor (ex. morphine will trigger all opioid receptors in the brain)

Question 32

antagonist

Answer 32

drug binds to receptor & has no response (ex. Narcan will block all opioids from attacking)

Question 33

acute therapy

Answer 33

needed to sustain life ex. vasopressors, chemo

Question 34

maintenance therapy

Answer 34

prevents progression of a disease or condition ex. BP meds, birth control

Question 35

supplemental therapy

Answer 35

provides body what it needs to function normally ex. insulin

Question 36

palliative therapy

Answer 36

providing relief from symptoms, improving quality of life ex. Tylenol for fever

Question 37

supportive therapy

Answer 37

maintains integrity of body function while recovering from surgery/trauma ex. IVF or blood products

Question 38

prophylactic therapy

Answer 38

preventing an illness ex. vaccines

Question 39

empiric therapy

Answer 39

symptoms of infection but do not have labs to confirm yet ex. broad spectrum antibiotics

Question 40

tolerance

Answer 40

decreased response to repeated drug doses

Question 41

dependence

Answer 41

need for the drug

Question 42

psychological dependence

Answer 42

need for euphoric effect of the drug

Question 43

physiologic dependence

Answer 43

physical dependence; withdrawal symptoms

Question 44

foods/drinks that may interact with drugs

Answer 44

leafy greens, dairy, alcohol, grapefruit juice, wine, aged cheese

Question 45

additive effect

Answer 45

two drugs w/ similar action are given together. additive effect so smaller doses of each drug can be given (1+1=2) ex. codeine & Tylenol

Question 46

synergistic effect

Answer 46

combined effects are greater than sum effect of each drug alone (1+1=>2) ex. aspirin & warfarin = bleeding

Question 47

antagonistic effect

Answer 47

two drugs working together that will produce different effects. combined effect is less than sum effect of each drug given alone (1+1=<2) ex. insulin & glucacon

Question 48

incompatibility

Answer 48

chemical deterioration of one or both drugs

Question 49

idiosyncratic reaction

Answer 49

unexpected reaction

Question 50

drug-drug interaction

Answer 50

when the presence of two or more drugs in the body produce unwanted effects (enhances or decreases)

Question 51

older adult lifespan considerations

Answer 51

- decline in organ function - more likely to result in adverse effects & toxicity - polypharmacy - not enough pills due to finances

Question 52

polypharmacy

Answer 52

taking five or more meds each day

Question 53

drug polymorphism

Answer 53

slow or rapid acetylators, effects on a patient's age, gender, body comp on pharmocokinetics

Question 54

disadvantages to OTC meds

Answer 54

- delay in treatment - treating symptoms; not the cause - cost - patient education

Question 55

pharmacotherapeutics

Answer 55

intended use & effect of the drug

Question 56

pharmacodynamics

Answer 56

mechanisms of the drug

Question 57

areas with the biggest blood supply

Answer 57

heart, liver, kidneys, brain

Question 58

areas with slower distribution

Answer 58

muscle & fat

Question 59

pharmacokinetics

Answer 59

what happens to the drug when it enters, travels through, & leaves the body

Question 60

routes of parenteral administration

Answer 60

intravenous, intradermal, intramuscular, subcutaneous