Pharmacological Principles Flashcards
Describe absorption that enter the bloodstream rapidly without the need for digestion or metabolism
Immediate Absorption
Describe absorption patter of substances that are absorbed into bloodstream without any alteration or breakdown
Complete absorption
Conditions that inhibit blood flow or perfusion
>such as peripheral vascular or cardiac disease
>can delay medication
distribution
Outline how certain medical conditions affecting circulation can impact the timely distribution of medications throughout the body
Permeability of Cell Membrane
Ability of medication to pass through tissues and membranes to reach its target area
What is plasma protein binding?
Plasma protein binding refers to medications competing for protein binding sites within bloodstream
>primarily albumin
How does age affect medication metabolizing?
Infants have a limited medication metabolizing capacity
What happens when there is an increase in some medication - metabolizing enzymes?
An increase in certain medication-metabolizing enzymes can metabolize a particular medication sooner
>necessitating an increase in dosage to maintain a therapeutic level.
What is first-pass effect?
The first-pass effect occurs when the liver inactivates some medications during their first pass through the liver
>As a result
>these medications require a
nonenteral route (such as
sublingual or intravenous) due
to their high first-pass effect
What happens when two medications share similar metabolic pathways?
When two medications share same metabolic pathway
>it can alter metabolism of one or both of them.
How does nutritional status impact medication metabolism?
Clients who are malnourished may be deficient in factors necessary to produce specific medication-metabolizing enzymes
>impairing medication metabolism.
What are agonists in pharmacology?
Agonists are medications that bind to or mimic receptor activity regulated by endogenous compounds.
Define antagonists in pharmacology
Antagonists are medications that can block the usual receptor activity regulated by endogenous compounds or the receptor activity of other medications
What are partial agonists in pharmacology?
Partial agonists act as both agonists and antagonists
>with limited affinity to receptor sites
What does “sublingual” mean?
“Sublingual” refers to administering a medication by placing it under the tongue
What does “buccal” mean?
“Buccal” refers to administering a medication between the cheek and gum
What does “subcutaneous” mean?
“Subcutaneous” refers to administering small doses of nonirritating water-soluble medications
>such as insulin and heparin
>into the layer of tissue just
below the skin.
What size and gauge needle is typically recommended for subcutaneous injections?
A 3/8- to 5/8-inch needle with a 25- to 31-gauge is commonly recommended for subcutaneous injections
Which sites are suitable for subcutaneous injections due to having an adequate fat-pad size?
> Abdomen
upper hips
lateral upper arms
thighs
are suitable sites for subcutaneous injections because they have an adequate fat-pad size
What technique is recommended for subcutaneous injections in average-size clients?
For average-size clients
>the recommended technique is to pinch up the skin and inject at a 45 to 90-degree angle
When is the intramuscular route typically used?
The intramuscular route is typically used for administering irritating medications
>solutions in oils
>aqueous suspensions
What are the most common sites for intramuscular injections?
The most common sites for intramuscular injections are the >ventrogluteal
>deltoid,
>vastus lateralis (in pediatric patients)
What needle size and angle are typically recommended for intramuscular injections?
For intramuscular injections
>a needle size of 18- to 25-gauge
>5/8 to 1.5 inches long is
recommended
>the injection should be given
at a 90-degree angle
Factors affecting rate of medication metabolism that results in a increased dosage.
Increased renal excretion, Elevated medication-metabolizing enzymes, peripheral vascular disease
Factors affecting rate of medication metabolism that results in a decreased dosage
Liver failure, Concurrent medications using same metabolism pathway, malnourishment
What action should a nurse take to obtain a trough level of a client’s medication?
Obtain a blood specimen immediately prior to administering the next dose of medication
How many times per day should a nurse expect to administer phenobarbital, which has a long half-life of 4 days, for a client with a seizure disorder?
One
