Pharmacology

Question 1

pharmacology

Answer 1

The study of the origin, characteristics and effects of drugs

Question 2

sources drugs come from

Answer 2

Natural (vitamins)
Plants
Animals (hormones)
Fungus, Mold (antibiotics)
Synthetic (chemotherapy)

Question 3

drugs

Answer 3

A drug is a medicinal substance that may alter or modify the functions of a living organism

Question 4

Rx pads

Answer 4

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

Question 5

renewal of Rx

Answer 5

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

Question 6

drug storage

Answer 6

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

Question 7

therapeutic

Answer 7

Treat disease or condition to relieve symptoms or sustain pt until other measures are taken (allergy)

Question 8

diagnostic

Answer 8

Used in conjunction with radiology to assist in location of a disease process (injected dye)

Question 9

curative

Answer 9

Cure or remove the causative agent of disease (antibiotic)

Question 10

replacement

Answer 10

Replace substances normally found in the body (vitamins, hormones)

Question 11

preventive

Answer 11

Ward off or lessen the severity of the disease (flu shot, immunizations)

Question 12

chemical name

Answer 12

Describes the chemical formula
Example:
2-p-isobutylphenyl propionic acid

Question 13

generic

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Trade or Brand name

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Local

Answer 15

Topical
Effects seen only at site of administration
Hydrocortisone – rashes
Lidocaine – topical anesthetic

Question 16

Systemic

Answer 16

Circulating in the blood stream to have an effect on general body
Antibiotics
Analgesics

Question 17

cumulative

Answer 17

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

Question 18

oral

Answer 18

taken by mouth

most common

Question 19

sublingual or buccal

Answer 19

under tongue or between cheek and gums

Question 20

inhalation/nasal

Answer 20

Sprayed or inhaled into the nostrils

Question 21

topical/trandermal

Answer 21

Applied to the body surface and absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes
Local or systemic effects

Question 22

rectal

Answer 22

Suppositories inserted into the rectum and dissolve into the lining of the intestine

Question 23

vaginal

Answer 23

Suppositories or creams introduced into the vagina and dissolve into the lining

Question 24

urethral

Answer 24

Suppositories or creams introduced into the urethra and dissolve into the lining

Question 25

ophthalmic

Answer 25

Eye drops or ointments placed directly in the eye

Question 26

otic

Answer 26

Ear drops or ointments placed directly in the ear

Question 27

parenteral

Answer 27

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)