Pharmacology Basics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason for using a transdermal patch?

To provide immediate relief from chronic pain

As an alternative to oral administration in critical care

For long-term, consistent drug delivery (correct)

To prevent nausea and vomiting

Which of the following is NOT one of the 'Rights of Medication Administration'?

Right patient

Right time

Right drug

Right skin preparation (correct)

What should be documented after the administration of medications?

The dosage calculation method used

The time of the next scheduled dose

The location where the medication was stored

The patient's response and any adverse effects (correct)

Which practice is essential when administering high-alert medications?

Perform independent double-checks Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken if a patient shows signs of rectal bleeding after administration?

Immediately stop the medication and monitor Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor contributing to drug errors?

Multiple care givers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a strategy to prevent medication errors?

Prepare to avoid distractions in advance Signup and view all the answers

Which domain of learning involves expressing feelings, needs, and beliefs?

Affective Signup and view all the answers

What factor is NOT contributing to non-adherence to medication?

Cost of medication Signup and view all the answers

What is a safe practice for discharge teaching?

Involve family members in the teaching process Signup and view all the answers

What is referred to as the duration of action of a drug?

The length of time that a particular drug is effective Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a criterion for OTC designation?

Cost-effectiveness Signup and view all the answers

What is included in a complete medication calendar?

Dosage and frequency of medication Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does psychomotor learning focus on?

Skill practice Signup and view all the answers

Which principle emphasizes the importance of providing accurate information and being honest about mistakes in pharmacology?

Veracity Signup and view all the answers

What does the therapeutic index of a drug indicate?

The relationship between the drug's toxic level and therapeutic benefits Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of pharmacotherapeutic therapy?

Causative Signup and view all the answers

How does polymorphism affect drug behavior?

It alters how the body metabolizes a drug Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical principle involves ensuring fair access to drug therapy?

Justice Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of steady state in pharmacology?

When elimination and availability of the drug are equal Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'polypharmacy' refer to?

The concurrent use of multiple medications Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is commonly used for pain relief related to muscle pain?

Ibuprofen Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of using decongestants?

Relieve cold and flu symptoms Signup and view all the answers

Which natural health product increases the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulants?

Ginkgo Biloba Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided when administering enteric-coated or extended-release tablets orally?

Crushing the tablets Signup and view all the answers

Which route of administration is known for rapid absorption into the bloodstream?

Sublingual/Buccal Signup and view all the answers

What indicates the need for special consideration when administering garlic as a natural health product?

Interferes with hypoglycaemic therapy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following steps is NOT part of the sublingual/ Buccal route of administration?

Offering a full glass of water Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the intravenous (IV) route of administration?

Verify the medication and dose Signup and view all the answers

What is the indication for using isotonic IV fluids like 0.9% Normal Saline?

For fluid replacement in dehydration, surgery, or trauma Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of vitamin K in the body?

Blood coagulation Signup and view all the answers

Which vitamins are classified as fat soluble?

A, D, E, and K Signup and view all the answers

What type of IV fluid is used to treat severe hyponatremia?

3% Saline Signup and view all the answers

Which medications should NOT be taken with calcium supplements?

Tetracyclines and quinolones Signup and view all the answers

In which situation would oral rehydration solutions be appropriate?

For mild dehydration Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using colloid IV solutions like Albumin?

To expand plasma volume in hypovolemic shock Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an indication for enteral rehydration?

Mild dehydration with functioning GI tract Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Drug Administration Basics

Onset: The time it takes for a drug to start having an effect.
Peak: The time when a drug reaches its highest concentration in the body.
Duration of Action: The length of time a drug remains effective.
Steady State: The point when the amount of drug entering the body equals the amount being eliminated.
Half-Life: The time it takes for the drug's concentration in the blood to reduce by half.

Therapeutic Index

Represents the ratio between a drug's toxic level and its therapeutic level.
A high therapeutic index indicates a wide margin of safety.

Pharmacotherapeutics

The clinical use of drugs to prevent or treat diseases.
Types of Therapy:
- Acute: Short-term treatment for severe conditions.
- Maintenance: Long-term treatment to prevent disease progression.
- Supplemental (or Replacement): Provides substances the body lacks.
- Palliative: Relieves symptoms without curing the disease.
- Supportive: Maintains body function during illness.
- Prophylactic: Prevents disease from developing.
- Empirical: Treatment based on experience and probability, not definitive diagnosis.

Drug Interactions

The alteration of the action of one drug by another.
Can enhance or decrease the effects of one or both drugs.

Ethical & Legal Principles in Pharmacology

Autonomy: Patients have the right to choose or refuse medication.
Beneficence: Actions should benefit the patient.
Nonmaleficence: Actions should not cause harm to the patient.
Justice: Fair and equitable access to drug therapy.
Fidelity: Nurses must be competent and provide safe care.
Veracity: Honesty and accuracy in drug information.
DIN (Drug Identification Number): Not confidential; found on prescription and OTC medications.
Rx Number: Specific to a patient and pharmacy; confidential; tracks refills.

Patient-Focused Considerations

Polypharmacy: Use of multiple drugs concurrently, often in patients with multiple health problems.
Polymorphism: Different crystalline forms of a drug with varying properties.
Children and Older Adults: Drug metabolism and effects differ in these populations due to age-related physiological changes.

Medication Errors

Factors contributing to errors:
- Similar drug names, unapproved abbreviations, multiple care providers.
- Distractions, interruptions, failure to recognize medication or knowledge gaps.
Strategies to prevent errors:
- Avoid telephone or verbal orders.
- Minimize distractions.
- Implement "no-interruption" zones during medication preparation.
- Double-check high-risk medications.
- Use two patient identifiers.
- Educate patients about their medications.
- Document administration promptly.

Patient Education & Drug Therapy

Domains of Learning:
- Affective: Emotional and attitudinal changes, feeling aspect.
- Cognitive: Knowledge and understanding, thinking aspect.
- Psychomotor: Acquisition of skills, doing aspect.
Factors affecting medication adherence:
- Age
- Time constraints
- Organizational difficulties
Safe Practices for Discharge Teaching:
- Begin teaching upon admission.
- Individualize teaching to the patient.
- Provide positive reinforcement.
- Use clear medication calendars.
- Involve family members.
- Make teaching understandable.

OTC & NHP (Natural Health Products)

Criteria for OTC Designation:
- Safety: Low potential for misuse, high margin of safety.
- Efficacy: Proven effectiveness when used as directed.
- Self-Diagnosable Condition: Patient can easily recognize the condition.
- Ease of Use: Simple to use without professional supervision.
Common OTC Indications:
- Pain relief
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Digestive issues
- Allergies
- Skin conditions
**NHP Interactions with Other Drugs: **
- Chamomile: Increases bleeding risk with anticoagulants.
- Cranberry: Decreases elimination of some drugs.
- Echinacea: May interfere with immunosuppressants and antivirals .
- Evening Primrose: Possible interaction with antipsychotics.
- Garlic: Can interfere with diabetes and anticoagulant medications.
- Ginkgo Biloba: Increases bleeding risk with anticoagulants.
- Ginger Root: Potential interactions with cardiac, diabetes, and anticoagulant drugs.

Principles of Drug Administration

Routes of Administration:
- Oral (PO):
  - Steps: Verify order, assess swallowing ability, administer with water, document.
  - Indications: Common for systemic absorption; slower onset.
  - Safe Practices: Avoid crushing enteric-coated or extended release tablets.
- Sublingual/Buccal:
  - Steps: Place tablet under tongue or between cheek and gum; instruct not to chew or swallow until dissolved.
  - Indications: Rapid absorption.
  - Safe Practices: Do not eat or drink until fully absorbed.
- Intravenous (IV):
  - Steps: Verify medication and dose; prime IV tubing; select and clean site; instruct patient to stay still post-administration.
  - Indications: Faster onset; used when oral administration is not feasible.
  - Safe Practices: Monitor for potential complications.
- Rectal (PR):
  - Steps: Position patient appropriately; lubricate suppository; insert past anal sphincter; document.
  - Indications: Nausea, constipation, or when oral administration is not feasible.
  - Safe Practices: Monitor for bleeding or irritation.
- Transdermal:
  - Steps: Remove old patch, clean area, select new site, apply patch, press firmly; document time and date.
  - Indications: Long-term drug delivery.
  - Safe Practices: Rotate application sites.
Safe Practices for Medication Administration:
- Rights of Medication Administration: Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, documentation, reason, response, and to refuse.
- Avoid Distractions: Implement "no-interruption" areas.
- Standardized Protocols and Checklists: Use for high-risk medications.
- Double-Check High-Risk Medications: Perform independent checks for high-alert drugs (e.g., heparin, insulin).
- Patient Identification: Use at least two identifiers before administration.
- Educate and Communicate: Teach patients about their medications.
- Documentation: Document administration immediately.
- Monitoring: Observe for therapeutic effects and adverse reactions.

GI System Drugs

Vitamin K: Essential for blood clotting, converts to osteocalcin.
Calcium: Most abundant mineral; strengthens bones and teeth; avoid with tetracyclines, quinolones and thyroid replacement medications.

Fluid and Electrolytes

Types of IV Fluids:
- Crystalloids:
  - Isotonic: (e.g., 0.9% Normal Saline, Lactated Ringer's Solution) - Used for fluid replacement in dehydration, surgery, trauma.
  - Hypotonic: (e.g., 0.45% Saline) - Treats intracellular dehydration (e.g., diabetic ketoacidosis).
  - Hypertonic: (e.g., 3% Saline, D5NS) - Corrects severe hyponatremia and cerebral edema.
- Colloids: (e.g., Albumin, Dextran) - Expand plasma volume in hypovolemic shock or burns.
- Blood Products: (e.g., Packed Red Blood Cells, Plasma) - For hemorrhage, severe anemia, or clotting disorders.
Rehydration and Electrolyte Replacement Methods:
- Oral Rehydration: For mild dehydration using rehydration solutions (e.g., Pedialyte).
- Enteral (NG Tube) Rehydration: Administer fluids and electrolytes through an NG tube, used when oral administration is not possible but the GI tract is functioning.
- Peripheral IV Fluids: Provide fluids and electrolytes for moderate dehydration or imbalance.

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Description

Test your knowledge on drug administration and pharmacotherapeutics. This quiz covers essential concepts such as onset, peak, and half-life of drugs, along with the therapeutic index and types of therapy. Perfect for students in pharmacy or healthcare fields.