Pharmacology Basics Quiz

Any chemical that affects living processes.

The study of drugs and their interactions with living systems.

The study of drugs in humans, including their effects, metabolism, and how they interact with the body.

The use of drugs to diagnose, prevent, or treat diseases, or to prevent pregnancy.

The drug produces the desired effect in the body.

The drug does not cause harmful effects.

The drug only causes the intended effect and not other unwanted effects.

The drug's effects are reversible and disappear after use.

The movement of a drug from its administration site into the bloodstream.

The ability of a drug to reach systemic circulation from its site of administration. It's mostly relevant for oral medications.

A system that pumps drugs out of cells, like a bouncer removing unwanted guests. Found in liver, kidney, placenta, intestines, and brain.

The study of what the body does to a drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Passage of drugs across cell membranes occurs via three mechanisms: channels/pores, transport systems, and direct penetration.

A drug's structure dictates which transport system it uses to cross membranes (if any). Some systems require energy; others don't.

A system where only small ions like potassium (K) and sodium (Na) can pass through.

Many drugs have multiple uses (indications). The dosage can vary depending on the specific indication and route of administration.

The administration of a drug directly into a vein, offering rapid onset and precise control but demanding careful monitoring for potential complications like fluid overload and infection.

This route allows for quick drug absorption but slower than IV, typically around 30 minutes. It's useful for sustained effects, like with depot penicillin G, but can be painful and has limited injection sites.

This route involves swallowing a drug, providing a relatively safe and convenient option, but may have variable absorption rates due to factors like stomach acidity. It requires a conscious and cooperative patient.

These medications are protected by a special coating, preventing their breakdown in the stomach and allowing for absorption in the intestines, often used for medications that irritate the stomach or are sensitive to stomach acid.

These tablets are designed to release their medication gradually over a period of time, offering a sustained effect. This provides a sustained release of the medication for a longer period of time.

The degree to which a drug binds to its target receptor, impacting its potency and effectiveness, which can vary based on factors like an individual's tolerance levels.

The specific action of a drug at its target receptor site, which can be influenced by factors like drug tolerance, placebo effects, receptor impairment, and drug interactions.

Only unbound drugs can leave the blood vessels and reach tissues. Bound drugs are too large to pass through the tiny openings in the vessel walls.

Different drugs bind to proteins in the blood with varying strengths. This affects how much of the drug is available for use in the body.

Drugs interact with specific molecules in the body, called receptors, to trigger an effect. Think of a key fitting into a lock.

Receptors are natural control points in the body's processes. They are normally regulated by the body's own molecules. Drugs can only mimic or block these natural signals.

Drugs travel through the bloodstream to reach tissues. However, some barriers, like abscesses and tumors, restrict drug distribution due to lack of blood vessels.

The blood-brain barrier is a protective layer that restricts most drugs from entering the brain. Drugs must be lipid-soluble or have special transport systems to cross it.

The placenta, which protects the fetus, also acts as a barrier, but some drugs can still cross, potentially harming the developing baby.

Drugs can be named in three ways: chemical, generic, and brand. Each name refers to the same molecule but with different levels of specificity.

The nurse assesses the patient's ability to understand and manage their medications. This includes factors like dementia, critical illness, or depression, which may hinder their ability to take medications safely.

This refers to the legal responsibility of nurses for any medications they administer or fail to administer. Mistakes can have serious consequences.

The nurse is legally responsible for ensuring the correct medication, dose, and route are administered. This includes checking the patient's armband against the medication administration record (MAR).

The nurse must be knowledgeable about the drug's mechanism of action, its purpose, potential adverse effects, and the correct route of administration.

The nurse needs to assess the patient's understanding of their medications, including the name, dosage, route, and purpose. This ensures they can safely manage their medications at home.

The nurse should gather a complete list of all medications the patient is taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, recreational, and herbal supplements.

Nurses should assess the patient's history for factors that could affect medication response, such as liver or kidney function, genetic factors, drug allergies, pregnancy, age, or any pre-existing conditions.

The nurse can adjust the route of administration if the patient has difficulty swallowing medications, or if a different route is deemed necessary. For example, switching from oral pills to a liquid or intravenous form.

A measure of a drug's safety, calculated as the ratio of the lethal dose (LD50) to the effective dose (ED50). A large therapeutic index indicates a relatively safe drug, while a low index suggests a higher risk of toxicity.

A drug interaction that intensifies the therapeutic effect or adverse effect (AE) of another drug.

A drug interaction that reduces the therapeutic or adverse effect (AE) of another drug.

A drug interaction that creates a unique response, different from the effect of either drug alone.

A drug interaction that occurs because of direct chemical or physical interaction between two drugs.

A drug interaction that occurs due to changes in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of one drug by another.

A drug interaction that occurs when two drugs act on the same target or pathway, leading to an altered effect.

A drug interaction that occurs when two drugs combined cause a toxic effect greater than the sum of their individual toxicities.

Movement of a drug from the bloodstream to tissues.

The breakdown/change of a drug within the body.

Elimination or removal of a drug from the body. Usually involves the kidneys and liver.

Drugs can cross cell membranes via 3 main ways: channels/pores, transport systems, and direct penetration.

A drug interaction that occurs when two drugs directly interact chemically or physically.

The process of a drug moving from its administration site (e.g., mouth, injection) into the bloodstream. This is the first step for a drug to reach its target.

The process of a drug traveling through the bloodstream and reaching its target tissue. However, certain barriers can limit the drug's distribution.

The nurse is legally responsible for any medication administered or not administered, regardless of orders.

The nurse must verify patient identity by checking the armband and the medication administration record (MAR). Asking the patient's name alone is insufficient.

The nurse must understand the drug's action, proper dosage, intended outcome, potential side effects, and correct administration route. They're also responsible for patient education.

Nurses must prioritize identifying patients at risk for adverse medication reactions or poor outcomes. This includes those with liver/kidney issues, drug allergies pregnancy, age, and genetics.

The nurse must document the patient's response to each drug, including any side effects or therapeutic outcomes observed.

When a patient experiences difficulty swallowing tablets, the nurse may recommend alternative routes like liquids or IV administration. However, only a physician can change the medication orders.

Intravenous administration delivers drugs directly into the bloodstream. Advantages: faster absorption, controllable dosage, and suitability for various drugs. Disadvantages: irreversible, risk of infection, contamination, and fluid overload.

Oral medication offers convenience but may have variable absorption due to factors like food, other medications, and stomach pH. This is known as the first-pass effect, where some of the drug gets metabolized before reaching the bloodstream.

An immune response triggered by prior exposure to a substance, leading to a range of reactions from mild to life-threatening. The severity depends on the immune system's response, not the drug's dosage.

An uncommon, unpredictable drug response often attributed to genetic factors or unknown predispositions. For example, individuals with G6PD deficiency may experience hemolysis after taking aspirin or sulfonamides.

A comprehensive review and comparison of a patient's medication list conducted during transitions in care, such as hospital admission, discharge, or changes in care level. This helps ensure accurate and safe medication management.

Any unintended error in the medication process, including prescribing, dispensing, administering, or monitoring. These errors can have serious consequences for patient safety.

A confidential program designed to encourage healthcare providers to report medication errors. This helps track errors, identify patterns, and improve patient safety through knowledge gained from reported incidents.