Pharmacology Basics Quiz

Final Review

• Some medications are used to prevent diseases or conditions
• Vaccines are examples for disease prevention
• Some medications can aid in diagnosing conditions
• Medications can be used to manage or relieve symptoms without necessarily curing the underlying condition
• Analgesics like aspirin are used for pain treatment
• Curative medications aim to eliminate the disease cause
• Antibiotics kill bacteria causing infections
• Medications can be used to maintain health
• Medications for hypertension control blood pressure
• Contraception prevents pregnancy (e.g., birth control pills)

Medication Administration Rights

• Ten rights of medication administration ensure safe practices
• Right medication: Check medication order against the prescription and patient needs
• Right dose: Verify accuracy for age, weight, and condition
• Right patient: Confirm patient identity using identifiers like name and date of birth
• Right route: Administer medication as prescribed (e.g., oral, IV, IM)
• Right time: Administer medication at the prescribed time and frequency
• Right documentation: Accurately document medication administration in the patient record
• Right reason: Understand medication's purpose and therapeutic effect
• Right to refuse: Respect the patient's right to refuse medication and explain potential consequences

Medication Legislation

• The primary legislation governing medication sales in Canada is the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
• The FDA mandates that all medications approved for use in Canada meet prescribed standards
• The CDSA outlines strict regulations for controlled substances based on potential for abuse and misuse
• Stricter regulations have been implemented for greater control on the potential for abuse and misuse of regulated substances

Prescription vs. OTC Medications

• Prescription medications require a valid prescription from a licensed professional (e.g., physician, NP) due to potential for severe side effects or interactions.
• Prescription meds are more rigorously evaluated for safety and efficacy by health authorities before marketing authorization
• OTC medications (over-the-counter) can be purchased without a prescription.
• OTC meds are generally considered low-risk and have less stringent requirements compared to prescription drugs.

Medication Names

• Trade names are the brand names given by the manufacturer for a medication
• Generic names are the non-proprietary names for a medication, used for identification and are usually written in lower case or italicized letters.
• The chemical name describes the chemical structure of the drug.
• The generic name identifies the drug without reference to the manufacturer.

Medication Dosage and Administration

• Medication orders must include the dose, route of administration, and frequency of administration, and the time of administration.
• Avoid trailing zeros in the medication dosages, but always include a leading zero for decimal dosages (0.1 mg)

Medication Sources

• Nurses should use reliable sources when locating medication information including pharmacological textbooks, drug handbooks, electronic databases, and professional consultations

Medication Order Types

• Routine orders—scheduled medication doses
• PRN (as needed) orders—given as needed for specific conditions.
• Single (one-time) orders—administered only once at a specific time
• Stat orders—immediate administration for urgent indications
• Now orders—similar to stat but may allow slightly more time for administration

Standing Orders

• Pre-written orders for specific situations or conditions
• They are detailed on medication administration records (MAR) and allow nurses to administer medications without a separate order from the prescriber.
• It is important for nurses to follow the agency policies and procedures for standing orders.

Medication Reconciliation

• This process compares a patient's current medication list with any new orders or changes.
• It helps to identify potential drug interactions and ensures continuity of care, especially during transitions in care (e.g., hospital admission, discharge, transfer between different units)

Types of Adverse Effects

• Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) encompass undesirable clinical problems from medication use, including medication errors and adverse drug reactions
• Medication errors (MEs) are preventable events leading to inappropriate medication use or patient harm. This can involve the wrong medication, dose, route, or time of administration,
• Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are unintended responses to a medication at a normal dose, ranging from mild to severe.
• Allergic reactions involve the patient's immune system identifying a drug as a threat, causing symptoms like rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
• Idiopathic reactions are unexpected responses unpredictable due to differences in how a person metabolizes a drug.

Types of Medications

• Oral medication
• Inhaled medication
• Topical medications
• Parenteral medications
• Topical medication
• Transdermal patches
• Injections
• Sublingual medication

Routes of Administration

• Enteral (via GI tract)
• Oral (swallowing)
• Sublingual (under the tongue)
• Buccal (between the cheek and gum)
• Rectal (in the rectum)
• Parenteral (outside of the gastrointestinal tract)
• Intravenous (IV)
• Intramuscular (IM)
• Subcutaneous (SC)

Medication Preparations

• Tablets
• Capsules
• Elixirs
• Solutions
• Suspensions
• Lozenges
• Powders
• Creams
• Ointments
• Pastes
• Suppositories

Pharmacokinetics

• Absorption-Movement of drugs from the administration site to the bloodstream. Factors influencing absorption include the route of administration, formulation, surface area, and dissolution rate of the drug, and the presence of any food or other substances. (eg. food, presence of other drugs).
• Distribution-Movement of drugs throughout the body to reach the site of action
• Metabolism (Biotransformation)-Process where the body alters drug structure to facilitate excretion. The liver is the primary site of metabolism.
• Excretion- Removal of drugs (or their metabolites) from the body. These may be excreted in urine, feces, sweat, or breath. These factors may influence drug metabolism, absorption, and excretion.

Medication Safety Considerations

• Nurses need to follow proper medication administration procedures.
• All medications are to be accounted for and documented.
• Nurses need to understand the risk of medication errors and should take appropriate steps to avoid them.

Natural vs. Prescribed Medication

• Natural health products (NHPs) are regulated with less rigor than prescribed, established medications
• NHPs are not always tested in the same way as prescribed drugs, which may impact a person's understanding of whether to use natural supplements.
• Prescribed medications have undergone rigorous trials, and their safety and efficacy are well documented.

Test your knowledge on drug classifications, mechanisms of action, and medication administration protocols with this pharmacology quiz. Explore key concepts related to drug information sources, assessment tasks, and safety practices in nursing care.