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Questions and Answers
What is one of the three key characteristics that define an ideal drug?
Which term describes the study of drugs in humans?
Which characteristic of an ideal drug refers to its ability to produce only the desired effect?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a characteristic of an ideal drug?
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What is meant by the term 'therapeutics' in pharmacology?
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What is the primary goal in pharmacology, given that no drug is ideal?
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What role do agonists play in pharmacology?
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What defines an antagonist in pharmacology?
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What should be done before administering a medication to ensure patient safety?
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Which of the following statements about medication administration routes is true?
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What is the role of a second nurse during medication administration?
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What is one of the basic goals of pre-administration assessment?
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What should not be done when preparing an intramuscular injection?
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Which food may cause a hypertensive crisis when taken with certain antidepressants?
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What are the three different names for drugs?
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What is an example of an idiosyncratic effect of a drug?
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What could lead to a performance deficit in medication administration?
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Which of the following describes the term 'carcinogenic effect'?
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How often do medication errors injure patients in the United States, according to estimates?
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Which of these is considered an adverse drug reaction?
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What is a common lifestyle factor that can contribute to medication errors?
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Which statement correctly defines a toxic effect?
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Which of the following steps is essential before administering medication to a patient?
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What is a significant non-pharmacological measure to enhance drug therapy for hypertension?
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What crucial information must a nurse know to minimize adverse effects of medication?
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To help manage the risk of adverse drug interactions, what should the nurse do first?
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When making PRN decisions, what is the most important question a nurse should ask?
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What should a nurse be aware of to evaluate the effectiveness of a medication?
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Which action is important for managing drug toxicity effectively?
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What is a key intervention to reduce the discomfort caused by insulin-induced hypoglycemia?
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What is the main risk associated with the miscommunication of drug names in the given example?
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In the context of medication errors, what is a significant cause of confusion highlighted in the examples provided?
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Study Notes
Pharmacology Basics
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Four key terms:
- Drug: Any chemical affecting living processes.
- Pharmacology: The study of chemicals and their interactions with living systems.
- Clinical Pharmacology: The study of drugs in humans.
- Therapeutics: The medicinal use of drugs to diagnose, prevent, or treat disease.
Ideal Drug Characteristics
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Three main characteristics:
- Effective: The drug performs its intended action.
- Safe: The drug does not produce harmful effects even at high doses over extended periods.
- Selective: The drug elicits only the desired response.
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Additional desirable characteristics:
- Reversible action: Effects can be reversed.
- Predictability: Consistent response in different individuals.
- Ease of administration: Simple and convenient application.
- Freedom from drug interactions: Minimal interaction with other substances.
- Low cost: Affordable for patients.
- Chemical stability: Maintains effectiveness over time.
Drug-Receptor Interactions
- Drugs bind to receptors in the body.
- Receptors: Molecules with various functions in the body.
- Drugs either activate or inhibit receptor function.
- Selective binding: Chemicals bind preferentially to specific receptors.
- Agonists: Mimic endogenous compounds and activate receptors (e.g., dobutamine mimicking norepinephrine).
- Partial Agonists: Partially activate receptors.
- Antagonists: Prevent receptor activation and block the effects of agonists.
Drug-Food Interactions
- Green leafy vegetables: Can interact with anticoagulants (aspirin, warfarin).
- Grapefruit juice: Can interact with various medications (see complete table).
- Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese): Can decrease absorption of certain antibiotics; cheese may cause hypertensive crisis with certain antidepressants.
- Alcohol: Affects insulin excretion; may interact with diphenhydramine causing drowsiness.
The Modified Nursing Process in Drug Therapy
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A systematic approach to drug administration:
- Assessment: Gathering patient information to identify potential risks and optimize therapeutic outcomes.
- Planning: Developing a drug regimen based on the patient's needs.
- Implementation: Administering the drug safely.
- Evaluation: Monitoring the patient's response to the drug and adjusting treatment as needed.
Drug Nomenclature
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Drugs have three names:
- Chemical Name: Describes the drug's chemical structure.
- Generic Name: Non-proprietary name (e.g., acetaminophen).
- Brand Name: Proprietary name (e.g., Tylenol®).
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs)
- Side Effect: A predictable, unavoidable secondary effect at therapeutic doses.
- Toxicity: Harmful effects due to excessive drug dosage.
- Allergic Response: An immune reaction independent of dose.
- Idiosyncratic Effect: An uncommon response due to genetic factors.
- Paradoxical Effect: A response opposite to the intended effect.
- Iatrogenic Disease: A disease caused by medical care or treatment.
- Carcinogenic Effect: The ability of drugs or chemicals to cause cancer.
- Teratogenic Effect: Drug-induced birth defects.
Medication Errors
- Estimated to injure over 1.3 million patients in the US annually.
- Significant contributor to patient deaths.
- Understanding the causes is crucial for prevention.
Medication Errors Causes: Human Factors
- Performance Deficit: Improper administration technique or incorrect route.
- Knowledge Deficit: Lack of understanding about drug interactions or contraindications.
- Dosage Miscalculation: Errors in calculating or administering the correct dose.
- Drug Preparation Error: Incorrect dilution or mixing of medications.
- Transcription Error: Mistakes in writing or reading drug orders.
- Lifestyle Factors: Fatigue or stress leading to errors.
Medication Errors Causes: Communication Mistakes
- Written Miscommunication: Illegible handwriting leading to misinterpretations.
- Oral Miscommunication: Verbal orders misinterpreted or transcribed incorrectly.
Medication Errors Causes: Name Confusion
- Brand Name Confusion: Similar-sounding names for different drugs.
- Generic Name Confusion: Similar-sounding names for drugs with different uses.
Conversions Factors
- Ability to convert between different units of measurement is essential for accurate drug administration.
Sample Problems
- Dose Calculations: Understanding how to calculate the correct dosage for a patient based on their weight and medication order.
- IV Infusion Rate Calculations: Calculating the flow rate for IV infusions based on the volume of fluid and the desired infusion time.
Administering Drugs: Key Considerations
- Double-check: Always confirm the patient’s identity and medication order before administering any drug.
- Read Labels Carefully: Verify the drug name, dose, route, and expiry date.
- Know the medication: Understand why the patient is receiving the drug, potential side effects, and necessary nursing interventions.
- Compatibility: Check compatibility of IV medications before administration.
- Prevent Errors: Be aware of common medication errors and implement strategies to avoid them.
- Documentation: Record accurate details of drug administration and any observed effects.
Pharmacology in Patient Care
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Pre-administration Assessment: Essential for personalized drug therapy.
- Baseline data: Obtain relevant information to monitor response to treatment (e.g., blood pressure before giving antihypertensives).
- Risk identification: Identify patients at higher risk for specific drug reactions (e.g., penicillin allergies).
- Self-care capacity: Assess the patient's ability to manage their own medication regimen.
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Dosage and Administration: Ensure safe and effective administration:
- Clear Orders: Review orders carefully and clarify any uncertainties.
- Patient Verification: Confirm patient identity before administering meds.
- Label Check: Verify drug name, dose, and suitability for administration.
- Dosage Calculations: Accurate calculations are essential.
- Special Handling: Follow specific administration requirements (e.g., dilution, temperature).
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Promoting Therapeutic Effects: Maximize the benefits of medication:
- Non-pharmacological measures: Use lifestyle changes and other interventions to enhance drug effectiveness.
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Minimizing Adverse Effects: Reduce the risk of harmful side effects:
- Know the adverse effects: Be familiar with potential side effects and their timing of occurrence.
- Early recognition: Monitor for early signs of adverse reactions.
- Interventions: Take steps to minimize harm or discomfort (e.g., providing glucose for hypoglycemia).
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Minimizing Adverse Interactions: Prevent drug-to-drug or drug-to-food interactions:
- Thorough drug history: Take a complete medication history to identify potential interactions.
- OTC medications: Counsel patients to avoid over-the-counter medications that may interact with prescribed drugs.
- Monitoring: Be alert to known interactions and monitor for unexpected interactions.
PRN Decisions (pro re nata "as needed")
- Nurse responsibility: Assess whether the patient truly needs the medication at that moment.
Evaluation of Medication Response
- Monitoring: Track the effectiveness and potential adverse effects of medication.
- Understanding rationale: Know why the drug was prescribed to properly evaluate the patient's response.
Managing Toxicity
- Early recognition: Know the signs of drug toxicity to intervene promptly.
- Toxicity management protocol: Be prepared to manage potential drug overdoses.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fundamental concepts of pharmacology including key terms and ideal drug characteristics. Learn about the essential qualities that make a drug effective, safe, and selective for therapeutic use. This quiz will help you understand the basics of drug interactions and their implications in clinical settings.
