Pharmacology Flashcards
Define infection
The invasion and growth of germs in the body. The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, or other microorganisms. Infections can begin anywhere in the body and may spread through it
Define pathogen
is an organism that causes disease.
Define causative agent
refers to a biological agent that causes a disease.
E.g.: the parasite Plasmodia is the causative agent of malaria
Define immunity
can be defined as a complex biological system endowed with the capacity to recognize and tolerate whatever belongs to the self, and to recognize and reject what is foreign
Define vectors
are a human or animal carrier of disease. “The vector, the Anopheles species mosquito, transmits plasmodia, which are contained in its saliva, into its host while obtaining a blood meal”
Define formite
refers to inanimate objects that can carry and spread disease and infectious agents. e.g clothing, blankets
Define sporadic
refers to a disease that occurs infrequently and irregularly.
Define endemic
Refers to the constant presence and/or usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographical area
Define epidemic
Refers to an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area
Define pandemic
refers to an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people
Define incubation period
Is the number of days between when a person becomes infected with something and when they might exhibit symptoms. The organism develops and multiplies during this time
Define quarantine
separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick
Define isolation
Separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick
Define localised infection
An infection that affects only one body part or organ is called a localized infection.
e.g: An ear infection or and abscess on the leg
Define systemic infection
An infection that is in the bloodstream is called a systemic infection. e.g. Flu or Chickenpox
Define nosocomial infections
Also called the health care associated or hospital acquired infections, are a subset of infectious diseases acquired in a health care facility. To be considered nosocomial, the infection cannot be present at admission: rather it must develop at least 48 hours after admission e.g MRSA/ CPE
Define cleaning
The process to remove visible contaminants such as dust, dirt, blood or organic matter
Define disinfection
The process of cleaning something, especially with a chemical, in order to destroy bacteria
Define sterilisation
The process used to render an object free from all living organisms. Normally done by using heat.
A steam steriliser would be most appropriate.
What is healthcare risk waste
That which is potentially dangerous, or infectious.
•It may be sharp items, biological, chemical, or radio-active in content.
•It would also include wipes or other cleaning products, used to clean surface following a patient contact
Define healthcare Non risk waste
That which is not hazardous to those who may come into contact with it.
•It may include; packaging of items used, or items which would be suitable for a domestic bin
What is the full name for CPE
Carbapenase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae. (CPE).
What is CPE
The newest in a long line of superbugs that are hard to kill with antibiotics.
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•CPE lives harmlessly in the gut but can be dangerous if it gets into the bloodstream; more than half of all patients who develop bloodstream infections with CPE die as a result of
Who does CPE pose a particular risk to
Older people or people with reduced immune system function
How does CPE spread
The bugs are shed in faeces and transmitted by direct and indirect contact with an infected person.
How long between contact and detection may elapse for CPE
A period of four weeks or more may elapse between contact and detection.
What are the statics of CPE
Statistically, people who are in contact with CPE have about a 1 in 20 chance of carrying the superbug. Those who carry CPE in turn have about a 1 in 20 chance of developing a CPE infection. So the risk of a serious CPE infection in a CPE contact is in the region of 1 in 400
What does MRSA stand for
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. (MRSA).
What is MRSA
MRSA is a cause of staph infection that is difficult to treat because of resistance to some antibiotics. Staph infections—including those caused by MRSA—can spread in hospitals, other healthcare facilities, and in the community where you live, work, and go to school.
• In places such as a hospital or nursing home, MRSA can
cause severe problems such as
•Bloodstream infections
•Surgical site infections
•Pneumonia.
What are the signs of MRSA skin infection
red
•swollen
•painful
•warm to the touch
•full of pus or other drainage
•accompanied by a fever
What is hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected
Is hepatitis B a long term or short term illness?
For many people, hepatitis B is a short-term illness.
•For others, it can become a long-term, chronic infection that can lead to serious, even life-threatening health issues like cirrhosis or liver cancer.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis B
Symptoms can include:
•Fatigue
•Poor appetite
•Stomach pain
•Nausea
•Jaundice.
What is the Risk of transmission from a needle sick for HIV
A risk of 0.3% or 3 chances in 1000
What is the risk of transmission by needle stick with HCV
risk of 1.8 % OR 18 chances in 1,000.
What is the risk of transmission by needle stick with HBV
risk of between 6% and 30% in the unvaccinated.
•That is between 60 and 300 chances in 1,000.
What does HIV stand for
Human Immunodeficiency Virus. (HIV).
What does HIV do to the immune system
Weakens the immune system over a period of time
What does AIDS stand for
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome A group of illnesses that occur in people with HIV.
How is HIV transmitted
Unprotected sexual intercourse
•Exchange of infected blood
•From mother to baby.
What are the symptoms of HIV
Fever
•Headache
•Muscle aches and joint pain
•Rash
•Sore throat and painful mouth sores
•Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck
•Diarrhoea
•Weight loss
•Cough
•Night sweats
What does mycobacterium tuberculosis
The bacteria can attack any part of your body, but they usually attack the lungs
•The bacteria are airborne when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes
•Although your body can harbour the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, your immune system usually can prevent you from becoming sick.
What is Latent TB
This is a TB infection but the bacteria in the body are inactive and cause no symptoms. Also known as inactive TB. It isn’t contagious but can turn into active TB and therefore must be treated.
What is active TB
Also called TB disease, this condition makes the patient sick and, in most cases, can spread to others. It can occur weeks or even years after infection with the TB bacteria.
What are the symptoms for active TB
Coughing for three or more weeks
•Coughing up blood or mucus
•Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing
•Unintentional weight loss
•Fatigue
•Fever
•Night sweats
•Chills
•Loss of appetite
Define pharmacology
Pharmacology is the study of medications and their effects or actions on the body”.
Define indication
The condition for which the medication is being prescribed
◦The ‘why’
Define contraindication
Condition where the medication can be harmful to the patient
◦The ‘why not’
Define side effects
Those effects which the medication has upon a person that are not desired but are a known response to a medication administration within usual dose ranges
◦Example: A headache following GTN administration
Define adverse reactions
An effect which the medication has upon a person that is not desired and is an unknown response to a medication.
◦Example: Anaphylaxis
Define trade name
The name given to a medication by the manufacturer, the brand name or proprietary name
Define generic name
The name that relates to the chemical composition of the medication, the nonproprietary name
What is the time to effect of Inhalation medication
3 -5 minutes
Time to effect of sublingual medication
3-5 min
Time to effect of Intranasal medication
3-5 minutes
Time to effect from intramuscular injection
10- 20 minutes
Time to effect from buccal medications
Minutes
Time to effect of per oral medication
30 - 90 minutes
What does KG stand for
Kilogram
What does mg stand for
Milligram
What does mcg stand for
Microgram
Where is the deltoid muscle
Upper arm
Where is the gluteus maximus
Upper outer quadrant of the buttock
Where is the vast is lateralis
Outer aspect of the upper thigh
What is the Z track technique
Pull the skin downwards or to one side. (Z-track technique)
What are the steps in delivering a IM injection
Pull the skin downwards or to one side. (Z-track technique)
•Quickly pierce the skin, with the needle at a 90° angle.
•Steady the syringe and pull back slightly on the piston. If no blood appears, slowly depress the piston of the syringe to administer the medication dosage required.
If blood appears, you are not in a muscle. Dump the contaminated syringe and prepare a new injection.
Release the finger pulling the skin, and quickly remove the needle at the same angle as used for the insertion i.e. 90°
•Apply firm pressure over the injection site
•Replace any clothing displaced by exposure of injection site and reposition the patient if necessary.
What are the steps in delivering a SC injection
•Remove the needle guard and with the thumb and index finger, pinch the skin over the injection site upwards
•Quickly pierce the skin, with the needle at a 45° angle
•Steady the syringe and pull back slightly on the piston. If no blood appears, slowly depress the piston of the syringe to administer the medication dosage required.
•If blood appears, you are not in the subcutaneous layer. Dump the contaminated syringe and prepare a new injection.
Release the fingers pinching the skin, and quickly remove the needle at the same angle as used for the insertion i.e. 45 °
•Apply firm pressure over the injection site
•Replace any clothing displaced by exposure of injection site and reposition the patient if necessary.
