Drug Definitions and Information Sources

Drug Definitions, Standards, and Information Sources

• Every medicine has three names: chemical, generic, and brand.
• Chemical name: The detailed chemical composition and molecular structure of a drug. (e.g., N-acetyl-para-aminophenol for acetaminophen)
• Generic name: The official, non-proprietary name of a drug. (e.g., acetaminophen)
• Brand name: The name given to a drug by the company that manufactures it. (e.g., Tylenol)
• Drug classification methods include:
  • By the part of the body the drug helps (e.g., heart, brain).
  • By its use (e.g., antibiotics, pain relievers).
  • By how it works in the body (e.g., blocking chemicals, controlling blood pressure).
  • Whether the drug needs a prescription or can be bought over-the-counter
  • By its chemical makeup (similar ingredients)

Sources of Drug Information for Healthcare Providers

• Drug reference books and handbooks: Detailed information on dosages, side effects, and interactions.
• Drug package inserts and medication guides: Specific instructions, precautions, and warnings from manufacturers.
• Online databases and mobile apps (e.g., Lexicomp, Micromedex, Epocrates): Regularly updated drug information.
• Pharmacists: Experts who can answer drug-related questions.
• Medical journals and nursing publications: Latest research findings and best practices related to drug therapy.
• Professional organizations (e.g., Institute for Safe Medication Practices): Guidelines to promote safe medication use

Prescription vs. Nonprescription Drugs

• Prescription drugs: Required order from a licensed healthcare professional (doctor, nurse practitioner, pharmacist).
• Nonprescription (OTC) drugs: Can be bought directly from pharmacies or stores without a prescription.
• Prescription drugs are typically for more serious conditions and OTC drugs for minor issues.
• Prescription drugs are generally stronger and have more risks, needing closer medical supervision.
• OTC drugs are usually safe and effective when used as directed.

Process of Developing New Drugs

• Scientists research and test medicine in labs to check safety and effectiveness (preclinical stage) - takes 1-3 years.
• If promising, the company applies to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for approval.
• FDA review takes about 2 years.
• If approved, the company manufactures and markets the new drug.
• The whole process often takes 10 years or longer.

Canadian Drug Names, Standards, and Legislation

• The Food and Drugs Act: Health Canada reviews drugs for safety and efficacy before approval. Sets requirements.
• The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act: Classifies controlled substances (narcotics) based on potential for abuse, regulating their import, production, distribution, and possession.

Drug Administration Routes

• Oral: Swallowing pills, liquids, or strips
• Injection: Shots into muscle (intramuscular), under skin (subcutaneous), or into a vein (intravenous)
• Topical: Creams, ointments, or patches on the skin
• Inhaled: Mists or aerosols breathed into the lungs
• Rectal: Suppositories inserted into the rectum
• Eye/Ear Drops: Liquid medication applied directly

Drug Half-life

• Half-life: The time it takes for half of a drug to leave the body.
• Important for proper dosage and scheduling.
• Long half-life means the drug stays in the body longer, requiring less frequent doses.
• Short half-life requires more frequent doses.

Drug Metabolism

• Metabolism: The process where the body breaks down drugs.
• Liver enzymes help with metabolism.
• By-products are easily eliminated by the body.

Desired Action, Adverse Effects, Allergic Reactions, Idiosyncratic Reaction

• Desired action: Intended therapeutic effect of the drug on the body
• Common adverse effects: Mild, unintended side effects
• Serious adverse effects: Severe, potentially harmful side effects.
• Allergic reactions: Abnormal immune system response, like rashes
• Idiosyncrative reactions: Abnormal effects due to different genetic make-ups

Drug Interactions (and Types)

• Drug interaction: When one drug affects how another drug works in the body.
• Additive effect: Combined effect, stronger than expected
• Synergistic effect: Combined effect is greater than the sum of the individual effects.
• Antagonistic effect: Combined effect is weaker than expected
• Displacement: One drug pushes another off its binding site on the body.
• Interference: One drug affects the absorption, metabolism, or breakdown of another.
• Incompatibility: Drugs cannot be mixed together.

Alternative to Administering a Sedative-Hypnotic Medication

• Creating a relaxing environment (dark, quiet room, temperature)
• Setting a bedtime routine (warm bath, book, calming music)
• Avoiding screens before bed
• Light, healthy snack before bed (warm milk/oatmeal/turkey)
• Relaxation techniques (deep breathing, meditation, stretches

Patient Education for Prescribed Medications

• Purpose/How it works
• Dosage/Frequency
• Administration instructions
• Side effects and what to do if they occur
• Precautions (foods, activities, other meds to avoid)
• Adherence (importance of taking the med correctly)
• Monitoring (follow-up testing)

Nursing Interventions and Outcomes

• Interventions: Actions nurses take to improve patients' well-being
• Outcomes: Expected results of nursing interventions
• Nurse's role are more than administering medications.
• Collaboration to meet patient goals

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Prioritization

• The hierarchy of needs: A series of prioritized needs, starting with basic requirements for survival upward toward self-actualization.
• Nurses utilize the hierarchy to understand the most pressing needs of hospitalized patients and prioritize care accordingly.

Dependent, Interdependent, and Independent Nursing Actions

• Dependent: Performed based on orders from other healthcare professionals.
• Interdependent: Shared between different healthcare team members
• Independent: Tasks initiated based on nursing assessment, diagnosis, and knowledge

Nursing Process in Relation to Pharmacology

• Assessment: Evaluating patient's condition and medication history.
• Diagnosis: Identifying medication-related problems (e.g., risk for side effects)
• Planning: Creating a plan for monitoring and managing medications.
• Implementation: Administering medications, observing patient responses, educating patients.
• Evaluation: Determining effectiveness of the care plan, adjusting if needed.

Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor Learning

• Cognitive: Knowledge acquisition (facts, concepts).
• Affective: Attitude and emotional development (values, beliefs).
• Psychomotor: Physical skill development (e.g., drug administration)

Principles of Patient Education

• Start with the patient's current knowledge and understanding
• Relate the information to real-life situations and needs.
• Use various teaching methods (visuals, hands-on, etc.)
• Encourage active participation
• Make learning more enjoyable and engaging

Drug Effects in Pregnancy/Lactation

• Pregnancy/breastfeeding changes drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion potentially impacting drug effectiveness and safety.
• Nurse's need to carefully consider these changes to ensure safe medication use.

Effects of Age on Drug Actions

• Aging changes how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs.
• These changes can affect the effectiveness and safety of medications, requiring adjustment for older individuals.

Gender-Specific Drug Considerations

• Gender differences in body composition, hormone levels, and metabolism can affect drug responses.
• Women may absorb drugs differently than men, requiring specific adjustments in drug dosage for safer and more effective medicine.

Nursing Diagnosis and Medical Diagnosis

• Medical diagnosis: What's wrong
• Nursing diagnosis: How the disease affects the patient and the needs to address the issues.

Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Care

• Nurses use research and expert advice for better patient care and treatment decisions.
• They use patient feedback and consider the individual needs for treatment plans

Drugs Used for Sedation and Sleep

• Sedatives: Promote calmness and relaxation; helps fall asleep
• Hypnotics: Specifically designed for sleep
• Initial insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep
• Intermittent insomnia: Waking up frequently
• Terminal insomnia: Waking up too early
• Transient insomnia: Short-term
• Short-term insomnia: Up to 3 weeks
• Chronic insomnia: Over a month
• Rebound sleep: Difficulty sleeping after stopping medication.
• Alternative methods for sleep: Non-pharmacological or lifestyle changes

Benzodiazepines and Non-benzodiazepines

• Both types of drugs affect areas of the brain to help you fall and sleep.
• Possible differences in duration and speed

Antidote for Benzodiazepine Overdose

• Flumazenil is used to reverse the effects of a benzodiazepine overdose.

Laboratory Tests Monitoring for Benzodiazepines

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Kidney function tests (BUN, creatinine)
• Liver function tests (ALP)