BNF (British National Formulary) Study Activity

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Questions and Answers

What is pharmacology?

The study of the actions, mechanisms, uses, and adverse effects of drugs.

Define a drug.

Any natural or synthetic substance that alters the physiological state of a living organism.

How can drugs be classified?

Based on their weight

Based on their taste

Based on their mechanism of action (correct)

Based on their color

What are the two main groups into which drugs can be divided?

Natural and synthetic drugs Signup and view all the answers

What are the indications for paracetamol?

Pain relief and reducing fever Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum dose per day for pyrexia in adults?

4,000 milligrams (mg) per day Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential side-effects when given intravenously?

Potential side effects of intravenous paracetamol include skin rashes, itching, and injection site reactions. Signup and view all the answers

Research 2 additional drugs that you are interested in.

Answers will vary. Signup and view all the answers

What are the most commonly prescribed medicines in NHS England primary care for 2019?

Answers will vary. Signup and view all the answers

What are medicinal drugs used for?

prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of disease Signup and view all the answers

What are nonmedicinal (social) drugs used for?

recreational purposes Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of illegal nonmedicinal drugs?

cannabis, heroin, cocaine Signup and view all the answers

What is Pharmacodynamics about?

what drugs do to the body Signup and view all the answers

What is Pharmacokinetics about?

what the body does to the drug Signup and view all the answers

What is the intended effect of a drug according to Pharmacodynamics?

the effect the drug was prescribed for Signup and view all the answers

What do statins do and how do they work?

Prescribed for cholesterol, work by lowering cholesterol levels Signup and view all the answers

What condition is Levothyroxine prescribed for and how does it work?

Prescribed for thyroid conditions, works by supplementing thyroid hormone Signup and view all the answers

What is Omeprazole prescribed for and how does it work?

Prescribed for stomach acid issues, works as a proton pump inhibitor Signup and view all the answers

What is Amlodipine prescribed for and how does it work?

Prescribed for blood pressure, works as a calcium channel blocker Signup and view all the answers

The route of administration that involves absorption via the gastrointestinal tract is called ______.

enteral Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unit Overview

The unit is 6 weeks long, from 22/04/24 to 31/05/24, and covers Medicine Management and Pharmacology.
The unit is divided into 6 main lecture themes, with the pharmacology knowledge built upon the previous portfolio.

Assessment

The unit has two elements: Main Exam and Drug Calculation Exam.
The Main Exam consists of multiple-choice questions and brief essay questions (150-300 words).
The Drug Calculation Exam is a separate exam, with all questions requiring correct answers.

Support

There is a weekly roadmap available on Moodle to help students stay on track.
Regular drug calculation sessions, quizzes, and a mock exam are provided to support students.
The unit conclusion lecture reviews key themes, and revision tips are provided.

Key Texts

The unit reading list is available on the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) website, including the calculation skills book with 100s of practice questions.
Boyd books are available as e-books through the MMU library.

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the study of the actions, mechanisms, uses, and adverse effects of drugs.
A drug is any natural or synthetic substance that alters the physiological state of a living organism.
Drugs can be divided into two groups: medicinal drugs (substances used for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of disease) and non-medicinal drugs (substances used for recreational purposes).

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacodynamics is the study of what drugs do to the body.
It involves the characterization, detection, and understanding of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
Pharmacodynamics helps explain why a drug was prescribed and its intended effect.

Statins

Statins are prescribed for high cholesterol.
They work by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver.
Statins are used to treat high cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease.

Levothyroxine

Levothyroxine is prescribed for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
It works by replacing the missing thyroid hormone.
Levothyroxine helps regulate metabolism, growth, and development.

Omeprazole

Omeprazole is prescribed for heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
It works by reducing the production of stomach acid.
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor.

Amlodipine

Amlodipine is prescribed for high blood pressure and angina.
It works by relaxing blood vessels and increasing blood flow.
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker.

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the body does to the drug.
It involves the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs.
Pharmacokinetics helps explain how the body processes and eliminates drugs.

Absorption

Absorption is the process by which the body takes in the drug.
It can occur through different routes, including oral, enteral, and parenteral administration.
Bioavailability is the amount of the drug that reaches systemic circulation after administration.

Distribution

Distribution is the process of the drug getting to where it needs to be in the body.
It typically occurs via the bloodstream and involves the binding of the drug to plasma proteins.### Pharmacology
Dose and timing affect concentration in the bloodstream, as does Route of Administration (ROA)
Example: Propranolol comes in 20mg tablets but is given in 1mg IV

Metabolism

First pass metabolism: oral medication enters the stomach, breaks down, and enters the liver via the hepatic portal vein
Up to 90% of the drug can be lost during this process
Remaining drug enters systemic circulation, explaining variable drug dosing

Excretion

Most drugs are excreted by the kidneys
The kidneys remove toxins from the bloodstream

Ageing and Kidney Function

As we age, our organs slow down and become less efficient, including the kidneys
The kidneys are an important consideration in safe prescribing, particularly in older people
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is a measure of kidney function

Factors Affecting Drug Excretion

Age and renal disease can affect how quickly a drug is excreted
Normally safe doses can cause severe side effects or toxicity in older people or those with renal disease

Study Tips and Resources

Focus on the essential knowledge and elements relevant to the unit
Familiarize yourself with each stage of ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion)
Get familiar with the British National Formulary (BNF) app and its standard headings for each drug summary
Complete the pharmacology portfolio within the allocated time frame

Professional Frameworks

Familiarize yourself with the NMC nurse proficiency standards, particularly those related to medications
The RCN has uploaded resources on Moodle, including the full document and additional resources

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Description

Get familiar with the standard headings of each drug summary in the British National Formulary (BNF) and complete a self-directed study activity.