Basic Pharmacology for Surgery

Basic Pharmacology Objectives

• Define pharmacology terms and abbreviations
• Identify drug sources and examples from each source
• List and describe classes of drugs relevant to surgical practice
• Explain medication orders used in prescriptions and surgery
• Identify prescription parts used in surgery
• Identify drug distribution systems in hospitals
• List and describe drug forms
• Compare and contrast drug administration routes in surgery
• Explain the four pharmacokinetic processes
• Identify and discuss aspects of pharmacodynamics

Drug Sources

• Drugs come from three main sources: natural sources, chemical synthesis, and biotechnology
• Natural sources include plants, animals, and minerals
• Pharmacognosy is the study of drugs derived from natural sources
• Atropine, digitalis, and morphine are examples of drugs derived from plants
• Animal sources include cattle and hog endocrine glands which produce certain hormones
• Examples include porcine (from hogs) and bovine (from cattle) derived hormones
• Minerals like calcium, magnesium, and silver salts are also used in some forms of drugs.

Drug Classifications

• Drug classifications group drugs for similar purposes
• Examples are vasoconstrictors (constrict blood vessels) and ophthalmic agents (for eye use only)
• Drugs are also classified by their therapeutic action, physiological action, affected body system, and/or chemical type
• Several types of medications are used from a sterile back table, including antibiotics, anticoagulants, antiinflammatory agents, and local anesthetic agents.

Medication Orders in Surgery

• Prescriptions are written by physicians or physician assistants
• Standing orders, verbal orders, immediately (STAT) orders, and as-needed (PRN) orders are common types used in surgery
• Standing orders or protocols usually involve pre-surgical procedures for certain types of surgery
• Verbal orders are usually single administrations specified by the surgeon
• A typical prescription form lists patient name, date, drug name, dosage, route, frequency, and prescriber's information
• Some medications are used in specific circumstances, such as cardiac arrest resuscitation.

Drug Forms

• Drugs can be in solid, semisolid, liquid, or gas forms
• Medications may be sold as capsules, tablets, ointments, solutions, suspensions, and others.
• Capsules and tablets are used less frequently in surgery
• Solutions and suspensions may be quickly absorbed into the body

Drug Distribution Systems

• Drug distribution systems in hospitals vary
• Larger hospitals may have a satellite pharmacy within the surgical suite
• Smaller facilities maintain a medication room or cabinet
• Mobile drug carts are common in some environments
• Drug carts are restocked to maintain an immediate availability of medications

Pharmacokinetics

• The study of drug movement through the body.
• Four processes include absorption, distribution, biotransformation, and excretion
• Solubility, route of administration, and blood supply to the area play key roles in absorption
• The hepatic portal circulation carries medications from the GI to the liver, where biotransformation occurs.

Pharmacodynamics

• Study of how drugs interact within the body
• Drugs work with certain receptors, or bind to specific sites
• Agonist drugs bind and have an effect on the system
• Antagonist drugs bind but inhibit an effect or process.
• Drug interactions can be synergistic or antagonistic, increasing or reducing the drug effect

Test your knowledge of basic pharmacology concepts essential for surgical practice. This quiz covers key topics such as drug sources, classes of drugs, medication orders, and pharmacokinetics. Perfect for medical students and professionals looking to reinforce their understanding of pharmacology in a surgical context.