NCM 106: Pharmacology Lecture 3

Study Notes

Drugs modify existing cellular functions instead of creating new ones.
Drug tolerance occurs when a patient develops resistance, requiring higher dosages for the same therapeutic effect, e.g., laxatives increasing peristalsis.
Drug dependence, also known as addiction, can be physical (body’s inability to function without the drug) or psychological (drug affects thoughts and emotions).
Drug toxicity is related to dosage and can be assessed using the Therapeutic Index (TI), which is the ratio of lethal dose (LD50) to effective dose (ED50).
Effective responses depend on drug molecules fitting specific receptors; poor fit leads to minimal or no drug response.

Republic Act No. 3720 is the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ensuring the safety and purity of consumables.
Republic Act No. 9711, the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, aims to protect the public's health and maintain a robust regulatory system for health products.
Republic Act No. 9165 is the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 safeguarding citizens from dangerous substances.

Desired action or therapeutic effect refers to the intended benefits of a drug.
Side effects are secondary, predictable effects that may be desirable or undesirable even at correct dosages.
Allergic reactions occur in individuals previously exposed to a drug, leading to hypersensitivity.
Anaphylactic reactions are severe, life-threatening responses causing respiratory distress and cardiovascular collapse; classified as systemic allergies.
Carcinogenic effects denote the potential for drugs to cause mutations leading to cancer.
Teratogenic effects can induce birth defects or abortion, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Establishes regulations for nursing practices by state boards to ensure quality care.
Nurses must be knowledgeable about rules, policies, and procedures of their healthcare agency.
Completion of a written test is required to validate knowledge and skills in medicine.
An approved list of intravenous (IV) solutions and medications is essential for nurses to administer safely.