Pharmacology Flashcards
pharmacology
The study of the origin, characteristics and effects of drugs
sources drugs come from
Natural (vitamins) Plants Animals (hormones) Fungus, Mold (antibiotics) Synthetic (chemotherapy)
drugs
A drug is a medicinal substance that may alter or modify the functions of a living organism
Rx pads
Rx pads must be carefully safeguarded in a hospital or medical office
Do not use Rx pads as notepads
Shred any erroneous sheets on the Rx pads
Keep Rx pads in locked drawer or Doctor’s pocket
If stolen, can be used to write fraudulent Rxs
Rx pads can be written or typed
Carbon copies of written Rx found in hospitals
renewal of Rx
Can be made by telephone, fax or email with a pharmacy
Different protocols in different offices
Must be approved by the physician before any renewals or repeats can occur
Must document in the pt chart
Generally, when you contact a pharmacist, or one contacts you
Generally, when you contact a pharmacist, or one contacts you, you include:
Pt’s full name, address, phone #, DOB
Medication (proper spelling)
Rx #, if applicable
Dose, frequency
Date issued
drug storage
Some drugs and samples are stored in a doctor’s office, clinic and floor of hospital Keep locked up if narcotics Original containers Refrigerated if necessary Keep inventory Dark containers in dark place
therapeutic
Treat disease or condition to relieve symptoms or sustain pt until other measures are taken (allergy)
diagnostic
Used in conjunction with radiology to assist in location of a disease process (injected dye)
curative
Cure or remove the causative agent of disease (antibiotic)
replacement
Replace substances normally found in the body (vitamins, hormones)
preventive
Ward off or lessen the severity of the disease (flu shot, immunizations)
chemical name
Describes the chemical formula
Example:
2-p-isobutylphenyl propionic acid
generic
Official name of the drug Not subject to copyright, so any company can make it Use all lower case letters to write it Example: ibuprofen
Trade or Brand name
Name of drug given by a pharmaceutical company
Company that makes a drug has exclusive rights to it for 17 years
Use all upper case first letter to write it
Example:
Motrin, Advil, Nuprin
Local
Topical
Effects seen only at site of administration
Hydrocortisone – rashes
Lidocaine – topical anesthetic
Systemic
Circulating in the blood stream to have an effect on general body
Antibiotics
Analgesics
cumulative
Occurs when a drug accumulates in the body faster than can be broken down
Can cause drug toxicity; kidney and liver failure
Sometimes used for a “loading dose” to “kick start” the healing process
Zithromax – antibiotic used to treat infection by giving high dose first and then continuing with lower dose for treatment course
oral
taken by mouth
most common
sublingual or buccal
under tongue or between cheek and gums
inhalation/nasal
Sprayed or inhaled into the nostrils
topical/trandermal
Applied to the body surface and absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes
Local or systemic effects
rectal
Suppositories inserted into the rectum and dissolve into the lining of the intestine
vaginal
Suppositories or creams introduced into the vagina and dissolve into the lining
urethral
Suppositories or creams introduced into the urethra and dissolve into the lining
ophthalmic
Eye drops or ointments placed directly in the eye
otic
Ear drops or ointments placed directly in the ear
parenteral
Subcutaneous (s/c) - Small solution injected just under skin for bloodstream absorption (flu shot)
Intravenous (IV) – Directly through a vein – very fast administration (saline, glucose, antibiotics, analgesics)
Intramuscular (IM) – Directly into a muscle – faster than s/c, but slower than IV (tetanus inoculation)
Intradermal – Between layers of (skin allergy testing, TB vaccination)
