Terminologies in Introduction to Pharmacology Flashcards
How do you check the kidney function?
Using the bun and creatinine
What exactly is pharmacokinetics, and what are the four processes?
The study of drug movement through the body to determine whether it can cause harm or healing. The 4 processes are absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
What does over the counter mean?
OTC means a medication that can be bought at a pharmacy without a prescription.
How do you use a telephone order?
Have another nurse listen to the order and the doctor must sign it within 24 hrs.
What is the fastest and poorest route?
The intravenous is the fastest route because it is administered through a vein, it is immediate and completely absorbed. The oral route is the poorest but the safest. For example, if you drink 500mg of paracetamol, 60% of it will enter your body while the remaining 40% will be excreted.
The following are abbreviations and give their meanings.
ac
bid
prn
q3h
qd
ac- before meals
bid- twice a day
prn- as needed
q3h- every three hours
qd- every day
Explain the steady state, loading and maintenance doses.
Steady state-The dosage given and the dosage eliminated are equal. For example, if you consistently take the medication, you will have a steady state.
Loading- Administering a large initial dose in order to achieve a therapeutic effect. If you administer a loading dose that is higher than usual, you will reach a steady state more quickly.
Maintenance dosing- To maintain a steady state
Give the three receptors and describe.
Agonist- It mimics the receptor activity.
Antagonist- Medication that can block normal receptor activity
A partial agonist- it gives a minimal or partial effect.
How do you explain effectiveness?
Effectiveness is the desired outcome you want to achieve. For example, if your goal is to lower the patient’s fever, that should be the outcome and not a negative side effect.
What is patient adherence and non-patient adherence?
Patient adherence refers to an individual who follows the doctor’s prescriptions and instructions.
Non-patient adherence refers to an individual who refuses to obey a doctor’s instructions. For example, smoking is prohibited but the patient is still doing it.
What is the two types of therapeutic Index?
High TI
Low TI
Give 3 reasons why parental is superior.
•Emergencies requiring rapid onset
•Patients unable to take drugs
•Drugs that cause severe local irritation or injury
Why enteral route is safer than parenteral route?
Enteral is safer because it is taken orally, while parenteral needs to be injected and can cause a lot of errors.
How can you be sure the patient is receiving the proper medication?
Check the medication three times. Checking the patient’s medication order sheet, during preparation, and lastly before administering.
How can you determine if you are with the right patient?
Ask the patient’s name while you are checking their patient tag.
