Nursing Process and Prescription Components

The first-pass effect describes how a drug's concentration decreases before reaching its intended target in the body.

The first-pass effect occurs when drugs taken orally are metabolized by the liver before reaching systemic circulation.

Oral medications are processed through the gastrointestinal tract, absorbed through the small intestines and undergo the first-pass effect in the liver.

Parenteral routes, such as intravenous injections, bypass the first-pass effect in the liver.

Drugs given intravenously are delivered directly into circulation and distribute throughout the body.

The process of organizing and interpreting information about a patient's condition.

The identification of a patient's health problem based on the assessment data.

Creating a plan to address the patient's identified health problems.

The execution of the planned interventions to address the patient's health problems.

The evaluation of the effectiveness of the interventions and the patient's response to them.

The process by which a medication is absorbed into the bloodstream after being administered orally.

The nine rights of medication administration ensure that the right patient receives the right medication at the right time, in the right dose, by the right route, and for the right reason, documented properly, and with a response and right to refuse.

The components of a written prescription, including the patient's name, date, drug name, dosage, frequency, route, and prescriber's signature.

The FDA ensures that new drugs are safe and effective before they reach the market. They oversee the process of reviewing and approving investigational new drugs through an established application process.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act provides a prescription drug insurance benefit for seniors and people with disabilities.

Herbal remedies are increasingly popular with over 60% of medications in the U.S. being OTC. However, the market for herbal remedies is largely unregulated and billions of dollars are generated annually.

Not all herbal remedies are effective, and some can even be harmful or lethal. Dietary supplements don't need FDA approval and lack standards for efficacy and labeling.

Ginseng can affect drug metabolism, leading to changes in how the body processes and eliminates medications. This can alter the effectiveness of prescription drugs. Nurses should check liver enzymes as an indicator of liver function because the liver is the primary site of drug metabolism.

DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information from parents to offspring. It consists of four organic bases: Adenine, Guanine, Thymine, and Cytosine.

RNA (ribonucleic acid) is another crucial molecule. It has four organic bases: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Uracil.

Conditions like heart attacks, cancer, mental illnesses, diabetes, and Alzheimer's are influenced by complex interactions between genetics, environment, and genetic mutations.

Administering a drug directly into the bloodstream, bypassing absorption, making it the fastest route.

Injecting a drug into a muscle, allowing for slow and sustained absorption.

Applying a drug directly to the affected area, minimizing systemic effects.

Applying a patch containing medication to the skin for gradual absorption, avoiding first-pass metabolism.

Inhaling a drug for rapid absorption directly into lung tissues, where it exerts its effects.

The process by which a drug enters the bloodstream from its administration site.

The distribution of a drug throughout the body, reaching its target site while interacting with other tissues and organs.

The breakdown or inactivation of a drug by the body, primarily in the liver, into inactive metabolites.

The elimination of a drug and its metabolites from the body, mainly through urine, feces, and sweat.

The highest priority for polypharmacy in older adults is assessing for drug interactions.

Neonates and infants have lower albumin binding capacity, requiring lower drug doses to prevent toxicity.

Drug properties, fetal gestational age, and maternal factors all influence drug safety during pregnancy.

Any mistake in the medication process, from procurement to administration.

A comprehensive process to ensure patients receive the correct medications, dosages, and timing across healthcare settings.

The process of imparting knowledge and skills to patients to improve their understanding and adherence to medication therapy.