Questions

Question 1

Advantages & disadvantages of OTC drugs

Answer 1

Advantages:
Easier to obtain then prescription drugs
No appointment with doctor needed
Disadvantages:
Choosing proper drug can be challenging
May react with food, herbal products, & other drugs
May impair ability to function properly

Question 2

Characteristics of an ideal drug

Answer 2

1. Effectively treats, prevents, or cures client’s condition
2. Produces rapid, predictable response at low dose
3. Produces no adverse effects
4. Can be taken by mouth
5. Can be taken infrequently
6. Inexpensive & easily accessible
7. Quickly eliminated by the body
8. Doesn’t interact with food or meds

Question 3

Therapeutic classification vs. pharmacological classification

Answer 3

Therapeutic classification - useful in treating a particular disease
Pharmacological classification - the way in which the drug works at a molecular, tissue, & body system level

Key difference - therapeutic classification describe WHAT IS BEING TREATED by the drug while pharmacological describes HOW the drug acts

Question 4

Chemical name vs. Generic name vs. Trade name

Answer 4

chemical name - complicated, hard to remember, only one chemical name
generic name - describes the chemical sbustace or pharmalogical property of a drug - lower case letters - one generic name per drug
trade name - marketing company - capitalized

Eg. Chemical name = paracetamol
Generic name = acetaminophen
Brand name = Tylenol

Question 5

Drug Schedule System

Answer 5

• Schedule 1 - available only by prescritption & provided by pharmacist. Included:
  All prescription drugs
  Schedule F & G
  Narcotics
• Schedule 2 - available only from a pharmacist; must be retained with no public access
• Schedule 3 - available via open access in pharmacy
• Unscheduled - can be sold in any store without supervision

Question 6

What are the nursing responsibilities for drug administration? (5)

Answer 6

1. What drug is ordered
2. Why the drug is ordered
3. How the drug is supplied
4. How drug is administered & dose ranges
5. Nursing process considerations related to drug & patient

Question 7

What are the mechanism of action for the following pharmacological classifications:

  - diuretic
  - calcium channel blocker
  - angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
  - adrenergic antagonist
  - vasodilator

Answer 7

Diuretic - lowering blood plasma volume

Calcium channel blocker - blocking heart calcium channels

Angiotensin-converting - blocking hormonal activity

Adrenergic antagonist - blocking stress-related activity

Vasodilator - dilating peripheral blood vessels

Question 8

What are the mechanism of action for the following therapeutic classifications:

  - anticoagulants
  - antihyperlipidemic
  - antihypertensive
  - antidysrhythmias
  - antianginals

Answer 8

Anticoagulants - inhibiting blood clotting

Antihyperlipidemic - lowering blood cholesterol

Antihypertensive - lowering blood pressure

Antidysrhythmias - restoring normal cardiac rhythm

Antianginals - treating angina

Question 9

What are the 4 processes of pharmacokinetics?

Answer 9

Absorption = how drug reaches the circulation
Distribution = how drug reaches the target tissue
Metabolism = how drug is altered by the body
Excretion = how drug is removed from the body

Question 10

Explain the following methods of transport across the membranes:
      Diffusion
      Simple diffusion
      Facilitated diffusion
      Osmosis
      Active transport

Answer 10

Diffusion = movement of a chemical from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration

Simple diffusion = diffusion across a membrane

Facilitated diffusion = diffusion across a membrane that requires a transport protein

Osmosis = diffusion of water down concentration gradient

Active transport = movement of a substance from area of low concentration to an area of high concentration

Question 11

Explain the factors affecting rate of absorption

  - Route of administration
  - GI tract environment
  - Blood flow & surface area
  - Drug ionization

Answer 11

Route of administration = an increased dose, increases the rate of absorption due to increased concentration gradient

GI tract environment = presence of food can decrease absorption

Blood flow & SA = increased blood flow - increased rate of absorption. Increased SA= increased rate of absorption

Drug ionization = acids absorbed in acid. Bases absorbed in bases.

Question 12

What are the 2 barriers which affect drug distribution?

Answer 12

Blood-brain barrier - protects the brain from pathogens & toxins. Only lipid-soluble drugs able to cross.

Fetal-placental barrier - prevents harmful substances from passing from mothers blood stream to the fetus.

Question 13

What organs are the primary sites for the 4 processes of pharmacokinetics?

Answer 13

Absorption - intestine/stomach
Distribution - bloodstream
Metabolism - liver
Excretion - kidneys

Question 14

What are the 10 rights of drug administration?

Answer 14

1. Right patient
2. Right history & assessment
3. Right approach & right to refuse
4. Right drug
5. Right route of administration
6. Right dose
7. Right time & frequency
8. Right documentation
9. Right drug-drug administration
10. Right education for patient

Question 15

What are the 3 checks of drug administartion?

Answer 15

1. Check when removing the drug from the storage site of the drug
2. Check when preparing the drug for administration.
3. Check again just before administering the drug to the patient.

Question 16

Explain these common types of orders
       Single order
       Continuous order
       Standing order
       PRN order

Answer 16

Single order - to be given once

Continuous order - be given on ongoing basis

Standing order - routine order - prewritten to be used in a particular circumstance.

PRN order - to be given as required.

Question 17

What is the role of Health Canada in NHPs?

Answer 17

• Raise awareness among Canadians about NHPs

- Regulate safety & efficacy of these products

Question 18

What is the NHP Directorate responsible for?

Answer 18

• Defining NHP and determining licensing requirements
• Labelling standards
• Manufacturing practices
• Adverse event reporting
• Quality control
• Establishes tolerance levels for impurities in NHP

Question 19

What is the therapeutic action of these vitamins?

Vitamin A, C, & D

Answer 19

• Vitamin A - synthesis of mucopolysaccharides & cholesterol, metabolizes steroids
• Vitamin C - synthesis & maintenance of collage & intracellular tissues, blood vessels, cartilage, bones, skin, teeth, & tendons; maintains immune function
• Vitamin D - skeletal diseases like osteoporosis; psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus vulgaris, rickets