Pharmacology Chapter Overview

Pharmacology and Medication Administration

• Pharmacology is the study of drugs.
• Administering medication examples include giving injections, not just writing prescriptions.
• Parenteral refers to administration outside the gastrointestinal tract.

Medication Reference and Naming

• The Physicians' Desk Reference can be used to look up adverse reactions.
• The generic name of a drug is assigned by the pharmaceutical company after development.
• Tincture is a preparation applied externally for a heating effect.

Routes of Medication Administration

• Sublingual medications dissolve under the tongue; an example is Nitroglycerin.
• Enteric coating on tablets prevents irritation of the stomach lining.
• It's crucial to identify the patient and check for allergies before medication administration.

Measurement and Dosage

• 1 cubic centimeter (cc) is equivalent to 1 milliliter (ml), not a unit of weight.
• A physician's DEA number is required on controlled drug prescriptions.

Drug Schedules and Records

• Schedule II drugs have high abuse potential and accepted medical use.
• Patient medication records should include all medications, including prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.
• The absorption rate of drugs can vary based on the timing of administration.

Drug Reactions and Tolerances

• Drug tolerance occurs when the same dose no longer produces the desired effect.
• Side effects are adverse reactions that are often tolerated to achieve therapeutic benefits.
• Anaphylactic reactions may begin with sneezing and hives.

Injection Techniques

• Parenteral route provides rapid drug action.
• The bevel of a needle is the slanted edge that aids in insertion.
• Larger gauge needles (e.g., 18 G) have larger lumens.

Syringe and Injection Types

• Intradermal injections are used for skin tests; they're administered with the bevel facing up.
• Subcutaneous injections are typically given in fatty tissue with a maximum dose of 1 ml.
• The vastus lateralis site is used primarily for administering medication to infants.

Injection Sites and Angles

• IM injections require the needle to be inserted at 90 degrees.
• The dorsogluteal site is effective for larger volume injections because it can absorb a significant amount of medication.
• The deltoid muscle is appropriate for adult IM injections; typically a 1-inch needle is used.

Allergy Testing and Measurements

• TB skin tests should be read within 48-72 hours.
• Common allergens include peanuts, dust, and ragweed.
• Patch tests identify allergens causing dermatitis.

Abbreviations and Injection Guidelines

• "ac" means before meals; "tid" refers to three times a day; "STAT" means immediately.
• Do not apply pressure after intradermal injections as the medication is not intended for absorption into the tissue.
• The typical dose for a TB test is 0.1 cc, while an IM injection might be 0.5 cc in lab settings.

This quiz covers essential topics in pharmacology and medication administration, including routes of administration, drug naming, and dosage measurements. It provides insights into the practical aspects of administering medications and understanding pharmacological references. Test your knowledge about drugs, their administration, and important calculations.