Unit 10 Pharmacology Flashcards
Chemical Name
describes molecular structure of the drug
Generic Name
the active ingredient (lower case)
Trade name
name given by drug manufacturer (Proper name)
Prescription vs OTC
RX needs provider order, lower dosages are OTC.. differentiated due to risk associated with dosage amount
Can a drug fall under more than one classification?
NO
USAGE CLASSIFICATION
WHY the drug is used, CLINICAL INDICATION of the drug (i.e. antipyretic, decrease fever)
BODY SYSTEM CLASSIFICATION
WHERE the drug works, the BODY SYSTEM the drug targets (stimulants, CNS, nicotine)
CHEMICAL/PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASS
WHAT the drug is made of, DRUG STRUCTURE/COMPOSITION (i.e. H2 blocker- Pepcid)
Sources of drug information
***NOT ANOTHER PERSON! ~US Pharmacopoeia- lists FDA approved ~National Formulary ~PDR ~Nursing drug handbooks ~PHARMACISTS! ~Electronic (i.e. UpToDate) ~Med Package insert
US DRUG LEGISLATION
~Sets official drug standards ~Define prescription drugs ~Regulates controlled substances ~Improves safety ~Requires proof of efficacy
Nurse Practice Act
Identifies nursing responsibilities for med administration and patient monitoring
DEA
Drug Enforcement Agency
STATE BON- scope of practice/nsg responsibility
~KNOW what you are giving and WHY.. ONLY for REASONS PRESCRIBED
~CHECK ALLERGIES, LAB VALUES, VITALS (if needed) before admin
~KNOW you can give type and form of medication
~STANDARD OF CARE (breach=negligence) Would professional under same circumstances, with same knowledge at the time have concluded such action was reasonable?
~LIABILITY d/t action or inaction you caused harm to patient- i.e. providing insulin without checking BS
SAFETY GOALS
~Accuracy: two identifies (ie NAME, DOB)
~Communication (i.e. quiet during med pass/avoid distractions)
~IDENTIFY medicaion
~MED RECONCILIATION
~Patient involvement
~ID risky populations (i.e. fall risk and benzos)
Can methadone be prescribed by PCP?
NO. Needs to be dispensed from specialty clinic.
Controlled Substances (Schedules)
I: ILLEGAL (i.e. heroin)
II: medicinal purposes, high risk for abuse/dependence (i.e. dilaudid)
III: Lower risk than schedule II (i.e. testosterone/steriod)
IV: Low risk of abuse/dependence (i.e. benzodiazepines-xanax)
V: Lowest risk, preparations with limited amounts of certain narcotics (i.e. Robitussin AC)
What do you do if you suspect diversion with a nurse?
Contact charge nurse, NOT the RN (in question) directly
What do you do if the controlled substance count is off?
Notify supervisor immediately with discretion in count before/after
Do you need a witness to waste controlled substances?
YES, another RN or LPN.. NOT LNA!
What provider number needs to be on a prescription for a controlled substance?
Provider’s DEA number
PREGNANCY RISK CATEGORIES
A alright B be careful C controversial D don't do it X NEVER
What is pharmacokinetics?
How medications travel through the body.
ADME
PHASES OF PHARMACOKINETICS Absorption Distribution Metabolism Excretion
ABSORPTION
Transmission of medications from the location of administration to the bloodstream.
~Rate of medication absorption determines how soon drug takes effect
~Amount of medication the body absorbs determines intensity
~The route of admin affects the rate/amount of absorption
Enteral vs parenteral?
Enteral= through the GI tract Parenteral= IV
ORAL ROUTE (ABSORPTION NOTES)
BARRIERS TO ABSORPTION: medications must pass through layer of epithelial cells that line GI tract
ABSORPTION PATTERN varies due to:
~stability/solubility of the med
~GI pH and emptying time
~Presence of food in the stomach
~concurrent medications
~form of med (i.e. liquid vs enteric coated pills)
SUBCUTANEOUS AND IM ROUTE (ABSORPTION NOTES)
BARRIERS: no significant barriers d/t capillary walls having large spaces between cells.
ABSORPTION PATTERN factors:
~solubility of med in water (+solubility= rapid absorption 10-30min// -solubilty=slow absorption)
~blood perfusion at site- +perfusion =rapid, -perfusion=slow
INTRAVENOUS ROUTE (ABSORPTION NOTES)
BARRIERS: NONE
ABSORPTION PATTERNS:
~IMMEDIATE enters directly into blood
~COMPLETE reaches blood in its entirety
DISTRIBUTION
The transportation of medications to site of action by bodily fluids.
What are the factors that influence distribution?
~CIRCULATION: blood flow to organs, condition that inhibit flow/perfusion
~PERMEABILITY OF CELL MEMBRANE: pass through tissues and membranes to reach target areas. Meds that are lipid soluble /have transport system can cross BBB and placenta.
~PLASMA PROTEIN BINDING: medications compete for binding sites, primarily albumin and cannot be used until unbound/free. Hypoalbuminemia can = toxicity
METABOLISM
BREAKDOWN/DETOXIFY
Change of medication into less active forms or inactive forms by the action of enzymes.
~Primarily occurs in liver, but can also happen in kidneys, lungs, intestines and blood.