SG Ch: 32 - Medication Administration Pt. 1 Flashcards
Briefly summarize the roles of the following in relation to the regulation of medications.
a. Federal government
b. State government
c. Health care institutions
d. Nurse Practice Act
a. Federal government: Protects the health of the people by ensuring that medications are safe and effective. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration ensures that all medications undergo vigorous testing before they are sold.
b. State government: Conforms to federal legislation but also have additional controls such as alcohol and tobacco.
c. Health care institutions: Have individual policies to meet federal and state regulations.
d. Nurse Practice Act: Defines the scope of a nurse’s professional functions and responsibilities.
A single medication may have three different names.
Name and define each one.
- Chemical name: A chemical name provides an exact description of the medication’s composition and molecular structure.
- Generic name: A generic name is created by the manufacturer who first develops the medication; this becomes the official name.
- Trade name: The trade name is one that the manufacturer has trademarked to identify the particular version they manufacture.
A medication classification indicates:
The effect of the medication on a body system, the symptoms the medication relieves, or the medication’s desired effect.
The form of the medication determines its:
its route of administration.
Pharmacokinetics is:
The study of how medications enter the body, reach their site of action, metabolize, and exit the body
Absorption is:
The passage of medication molecules into the blood from the site of administration.
Identify five factors that influence drug absorption.
- Route of administration
- Ability of the medication to dissolve
- Blood flow to the site of administration
- Body surface area
- Lipid solubility
Identify five factors that affect the rate and extent of medication distribution.
- Circulation
- Membrane permeability
- Protein binding
- Metabolism
- Excretion
Explain the role of metabolism.
After a medication reaches its site of action, it becomes metabolized into a less active or inactive form that is easier to excrete.
Identify the primary organ for drug excretion, and explain what happens if this organ’s function declines.
The kidneys are the primary organ for drug excre- tion. When renal function declines, a patient is at risk for medication toxicity.
Define the following predicted or unintended effects of drugs.
Therapeutic effects
The expected or predictable physiological response to a medication.
Define the following predicted or unintended effects of drugs.
Side effects
Side effects are predictable and often unavoidable secondary effects a medication predictably will cause
Define the following predicted or unintended effects of drugs.
Adverse effects
Adverse effects are unintended, undesirable, and often unpredictable severe responses to medication
Define the following predicted or unintended effects of drugs.
Toxic effects
Toxic effects develop after prolonged intake of a medication or when a medication accumulates in the blood because of impaired metabolism or excretion
Define the following predicted or unintended effects of drugs.
Idiosyncratic reactions
Idiosyncratic reactions are unpredictable effects in which a patient overreacts or underreacts to a medi- cation or has a reaction that is different from normal
Define the following predicted or unintended effects of drugs.
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions are unpredictable responses to a
medication
Define the following predicted or unintended effects of drugs.
Anaphylactic reactions
Anaphylactic reactions are allergic reactions that are life threatening and characterized by sudden con- striction of bronchiolar muscles, edema of the pharynx and larynx, and severe wheezing and shortness of breath.
Define the following predicted or unintended effects of drugs.
Medication interaction
Medication interaction occurs when one medication modifies the action of another medication; it may alter the way another medication is absorbed, metabolized, or eliminated from the body.
Define the following predicted or unintended effects of drugs.
Synergistic effect
A synergistic effect is when the combined effect of the two medications is greater than the effect of the medications when given separately.
Define the following terms related to medication dose responses.
Minimum effective concentration (MEC)
The MEC is the plasma level of a medication below which the medication’s effect will not occur.