Pharm 1 Test Review: Drug Characteristics and Excretion

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an 'ideal drug'?

No interactions

High cost (correct)

No side effects

Quick acting

How can a nurse identify a combination drug?

By having multiple colored tablets in the same container

By being available in both tablet and liquid form

By being combined with more than one brand-name ingredient

By being combined with more than one generic ingredient (correct)

Which body systems are mainly responsible for the excretion of drugs from the body?

Kidneys and liver (through the bile) (correct)

Breathing and salvia

Breathing and breast milk

Feces and sweat

What defines the difference between potency and efficacy of a drug?

Potency is the concentration of the drug, while efficacy is the maximum effect of the drug Signup and view all the answers

What should a nurse be aware of when administering drugs to children or the elderly?

Genetics is an individual factor that may elicit different responses to a medication Signup and view all the answers

Why might two clients who have hypertension and are taking the same medication each receive a different dose?

Due to differences in their age and weight Signup and view all the answers

What defines the median effective dose of a medication?

The dose required to achieve 50% effectiveness in 50% of the population Signup and view all the answers

What is the process for drug approval in Canada?

never test on pregnant women regulation is important Signup and view all the answers

Why might a generic drug be suggested for a client?

More affordable treatment option Signup and view all the answers

What does pharmacokinetics refer to?

Study of how drugs move through the body Signup and view all the answers

What are some other individual factors besides genetics that may elicit different responses to a medication?

Blood type Signup and view all the answers

What is the first-pass effect?

Metabolization of medication at the specific location before reaching its site of action Signup and view all the answers

What is a loading dose?

A higher dose given at the beginning to quickly reach the therapeutic range Signup and view all the answers

In pharmacodynamics, how does the drug change the body?

It activates receptors and induces a biological response Signup and view all the answers

What does pregnancy category A signify?

No evidence of risk to the fetus, well-studied in pregnant women Signup and view all the answers

What do antagonists do?

Block receptors and inhibit the action of agonists Signup and view all the answers

What is the effectiveness of an average dose?

Provides effective results to 50% of the population Signup and view all the answers

What do pregnancy category D medications signify?

Evidence of fetal risk in humans, potential benefits may outweigh risks Signup and view all the answers

What do agonists do?

Activate receptors and induce a biological response Signup and view all the answers

What do pregnancy category B medications signify?

No evidence of risk to the fetus, studied in animals Signup and view all the answers

What is X pregnancy category?

Significant evidence of fetal abnormalities or risks, risks clearly outweigh any potential benefits Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the first-pass effect?

The drug is metabolized at a specific location before reaching its site of action Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is used to desensitize sodium channels?

Hydantoins Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary use of the prototype drug Phenytoin (Dilantin)?

Treating all types of epilepsy except absences seizures Signup and view all the answers

Which class of medication is used to relieve anxiety?

Benzodiazepines Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary therapeutic action of antacids?

Neutralizing stomach acid Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is used to treat early Alzheimers disease?

Donepezil (Aricept) Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of hydantoins and phenytoin-like drugs?

Desensitizing sodium channels Signup and view all the answers

Which class of medication is used to treat non-obstructive urinary retention due to atony?

Anticholinergics Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is used to suppress secretions during surgery?

Atropine Signup and view all the answers

What are the side effects of cholinergic drugs?

Dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, blurred vision, confusion, tachycardia Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characteristics of an Ideal Drug

An ideal drug is effective, safe, and has a predictable response without adverse effects.

Identifying Combination Drugs

Nurses can identify combination drugs by reviewing medication labels and ingredients to check for multiple active components.

Drug Excretion

The liver and kidneys are primarily responsible for excreting drugs from the body.

Potency vs. Efficacy

Potency refers to the amount of drug needed to produce a desired effect, while efficacy indicates the maximum effect achievable by the drug.

Administering Drugs to Children and Elderly

Dosage adjustments may be necessary due to variations in metabolism, body composition, and organ function in these populations.

Dosage Differences in Hypertension Medication

Clients may receive different doses due to factors such as age, weight, genetic makeup, or the presence of other medical conditions.

Median Effective Dose

The median effective dose (ED50) is the dose at which 50% of the population experiences the desired therapeutic effect.

Drug Approval Process in Canada

Drug approval involves preclinical testing, clinical trials (Phase I-III), submission for approval to Health Canada, and post-market surveillance.

Generic Drug Recommendations

Generic drugs may be suggested due to lower cost, equivalent therapeutic effects, and similar safety profiles compared to brand-name versions.

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics is the study of how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body.

Individual Factors Affecting Medication Response

Other factors affecting drug response include age, sex, diet, health status, and concurrent medications.

First-Pass Effect

The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug in the liver before it enters systemic circulation, often reducing its bioavailability.

Loading Dose

A loading dose is an initial higher dose of a drug given to rapidly achieve therapeutic levels in the body.

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacodynamics involves the interactions of a drug with cellular receptors and how it alters bodily functions.

Pregnancy Category A

Category A indicates human studies show no risk to the fetus during the first trimester.

Role of Antagonists

Antagonists block or inhibit the action of neurotransmitters or hormones at their receptor sites.

Average Dose Effectiveness

An average dose is expected to elicit a therapeutic response in a defined percentage of the population.

Pregnancy Category D

Category D signifies evidence of fetal risk, but potential benefits may warrant use in certain situations.

Role of Agonists

Agonists activate receptors to produce a biological response.

Pregnancy Category B

Category B indicates animal studies show no risk, but no adequate human studies are available.

Pregnancy Category X

Category X signifies that a drug poses significant risk to the fetus and should not be used during pregnancy.

First-Pass Effect Mechanism

During the first-pass effect, the concentration of a drug is significantly reduced before it reaches systemic circulation.

Sodium Channel Desensitization Drug

Certain local anesthetics, such as lidocaine, are used to desensitize sodium channels.

Phenytoin (Dilantin) Use

Phenytoin is primarily used for the management of seizures, particularly in epilepsy.

Medications Relieving Anxiety

Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for anxiety relief.

Antacids Primary Therapeutic Action

Antacids neutralize stomach acid to relieve heartburn and indigestion.

Drug for Early Alzheimer’s Disease

Donepezil is used to treat early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Mechanism of Action of Hydantoins

Hydantoins, like phenytoin, work by stabilizing neuronal membranes and reducing seizure activity.

Medication for Non-Obstructive Urinary Retention

Bethanechol is used to treat non-obstructive urinary retention due to atony.

Drug to Suppress Secretions During Surgery

Atropine is commonly used to suppress salivary and respiratory secretions during surgery.

Side Effects of Cholinergic Drugs

Common side effects include excessive salivation, sweating, diarrhea, and bradycardia.

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Description

Prepare for your Pharm 1 test by reviewing the characteristics of an 'ideal drug', identification of combination drugs, and the body systems responsible for drug excretion. Understand the difference between potency and efficacy of a drug.