Pharmacology Review Flashcards
Name the difference between chemical, generic, and brand name of medications.
Chemical—Chemical name is the chemical composition and molecular structure
Generic—official name, simpler than chemical, first letter not capitalized, common name
Brand—trademark name, first letter capitalized, Easier to pronounce, spell, and remember
What meds are under each Schedule of controlled substances?
1—high abuse potential, no medical use–heroin
2—high abuse potential, some medical use—Ritalin, Phenobarbital
3—high abuse potential, less than 1 or 2, some medical use—Norco, Codeine
4—low abuse potential, some medical use—Valium, Ativan
5—low abuse potential, no prescription needed—Robitussin DM
What is needed for a medication to be administered in the hospital?
An order by an approved medical provider
When can a nurse have a narcotic in his/her possession?
Nurse is administering to patient under provider order.
Nurse is a patient of a provider who ordered the med for the nurse to take.
Nurse is in charge of a stock of controlled meds in a hospital during a shift
Define Toxic
build up of drug in body causing severe symptoms—decreased respiratory rate, decreased heart rate
Allergic
known as hypersensitivity reaction, hives and severe itching (urticaria)
Therapeutic—expected response to a medication
Therapeutic
expected response to a medication
Tolerance
client requires a higher dose of a medication to produce the therapeutic effect that a lower dose once provided
Dependence
also known as addiction, occurs when a person is unable to control desire for ingestion of drugs, may be physiologic or psychological
Accumulation
is when a drug builds up in the body if the next dose is administered before the previously administered dose has been metabolized or excreted
Interference
first drug inhibits the metabolism or excretion of the second drug, thus causing increased activity of the second drug
Displacement
displacement of the first drug from protein-bound sites by a second drug increases the activity of the first drug because more unbound drug is available.
Incompatibility
first drug is chemically incompatible with the second drug, thereby causing deterioration when the drugs are mixed in the same syringe or solution or are administered together at the same site. Signs include haziness, formation of a precipitate, or a change in the color of the solution when mixed.
Polypharmacy
multidrug therapy
Idiosyncratic reaction
something unusual or abnormal happens when a drug is first administered—unexpectedly strong response to the action of the drug
Anaphylactic reaction
severe life-threatening reaction that causes respiratory distress and cardiovascular collapse, tongue and throat swelling
Additive effect
two drugs with similar actions taken together have a greater effect than each one alone
Antagonistic effect
one drug interferes with the action of another
Desired drug action
predictable/usual response to the drug
Organs where drug most likely metabolized, most likely excreted.
Metabolized—Liver, Excreted—Kidneys
Nursing actions for drug reactions.
Stop medication, report to medical provider, have patient consider themselves allergic to med, wear an allergy ID bracelet
What interventions to take with difficulty swallowing.
Have patient sitting upright, crush medication if able (which ones can you not crush), get medication ordered in a liquid form. Stay with patient while taking meds. Make sure the patient takes and swallows all medications ordered.
Proper procedure for medication administration.
Have client verbalize 2 identifiers and allergies
Check 7 rights
Check monitoring parameters or lab work
Log into the computer at bedside
Scan client ID bracelet and compare to MAR
Educate client- med name, dose, reason for med
Open pill package and administer medication
Sign computer
What helps increase absorption?
Take med with adequate amount of water
Slowest route of absorption? Fastest route of absorption?
Slowest—by mouth, Fastest—IV
What are proper forms of patient identification?
1—Patient name
2—Patient date of birth
3—Medical record number
How to waste a narcotic.
Must have 2 RNs to witness waste of narcotic prior to administration.
Understand enteric coated, sustained release capsules. What to do/what not to do.
Do not crush, chew, or cut enteric coated as med inside will be destroyed by stomach acid. Do not crush, chew, cut, or open sustained release capsule as it alters absorption rate—can increase or decrease effect of medication.
What do drug blood levels indicate?
Indicates if medication in blood system is in therapeutic range.
Sites for IM injections, what is best for child, what is best for adult?
Infant—vastus lateralis
Adult—Deltoid, vastus lateralis, ventrogluteal, rectus femoris
Proper administration of eye drops, ear drops, nasal drops, creams.
Eye drops- drop into “pocket” or sclera. DO NOT touch the tip to the eye. Apply tissue and pressure to corner of eye so medication doesn’t get into system .
Adult ear- pull up and back
Child ear- pull down and back
Nasal sprays- most patients can do by themselves
Creams- Apply gloves and apply to body of patient
7 Rights of Medication Administration
Right Patient
Right Medication
Right Indication
Right Route
Right Dose
Right Time
Right Documentation
What is a common volume administered during an interdermal injection?
0.1mL
What is the common equipment used for an intradermal injection
Tuberculin syringe with a 26 gauge needle
What degree is the recommended angle for needle insertion during an intradermal injection
15 degrees
What forms under the skin after administration of an intradermal injection
a bleb
What is a common site for an intradermal injection
inner forearm
What med is commonly given by subq injection
insulin
What is a common volume administered during a subq injection?
0.5 mL
What sites are commonly used for a subq injection
anterior thigh, abdomen, upper arms
When is it acceptable to recap the needle using the one handed scoop method
after drawing it up in the med room
Which injections are absorbed quickest
intramuscular
Parental medication is faster than enteral because…
parental medication is not immediately altered by the liver
Intramuscular injections are absorbed faster than subq because…
increased blood flow
List two types of health promotion education could be provided to a group of young adults. Why?
Safe sex talk and drug and alcohol talk
-abstinence is best; peer pressure; drugs and alcohol having consequences
What are two normal aging changes for the following age groups
Middle Adult: muscle/joint mobility, graying hair
Older Adult: incontinence, bone density, ADLs
List 3 different safety measures for the following age groups
Infants: choking hazards, car seats, do not leave unattended
Toddlers: tub and pool precautions, car seats, potty training
Preschoolers: stranger danger, crossing the street, washing hands
School Age children: bullying, risk of outside of the home factors, social media
List and describe 4 types of family structures
Blended- step parents and kids
Single Parent- no spouse, one parent and kids
Traditional- mom and dad, kids
Military- parent, military parent, kids
List 3 challenges to family health
Poor nutrition
Not enough exercise
Mental health issues
What are 4 leading causes of death in the older population
Alzeheimers
Unintentional injury
Heart Disease
Cancer
Why is substance abuse a major concern across the lifespan
It has severe effects that can be long term
Define the following: Menopause and Andropause
Menopause- women; ceasing of menstation
Andropause- men; gradual decrease in testosterone levels and fertility
