10 Questions
What is the primary concern when prescribing controlled substances?
Their addictive nature and potential for misuse
What is the purpose of enteric coating on oral medications?
To protect the stomach lining during absorption
What is the term for the loss of medication during its passage through the GI tract?
First-pass effect
What type of medication administration is characterized by slow, gradual absorption?
Intradermal
What is the term for severe liver damage or toxicity caused by a medication?
Hepatotoxicity
What is the primary advantage of sublingual administration?
It bypasses the GI tract
What is the term for the most severe form of allergic reaction?
Anaphylaxis
What is the primary concern when prescribing medications to pregnant patients?
The risk of teratogenesis
What type of medication is classified as having no medical use and being highly addictive?
Heroin
What is the term for the study of the movement of medications within the body?
Pharmacokinetics
Study Notes
Dosage Calculation
- 1 kg = 2.2 lbs
- 1000 mcg = 1 mg
- 1000 mg = 1 g
- 30 mL = 1 oz
- Infusion pump measures in mL/hr
- Gravity transfusion drop measures in gtt/min
- Tubing drip factors vary by package, e.g. Microdrip tubing = 60 drops/min
Therapeutic Index
- Peak: maximum serum concentration of medication
- Trough: minimum serum concentration of medication, right before next dose
- High therapeutic index: larger window for therapeutic effect, often OTC drugs
- Low therapeutic index: smaller window for therapeutic effect, requires close monitoring, often prescription drugs
Error Reduction
- Only providers (physicians, NPs, PAs) can write or change prescription orders
- Nurses have regulated responsibilities (BON) and code of ethics (ANA)
- Use generic names and the "rights": medication, patient, dose, time, administration, and documentation
- Never administer a medication prepared by someone else
- Complete medication reconciliation on admission, transfer, and discharge
- If a medication error occurs, assess the patient and report the error
Patient Education
- 3 domains of learning: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor
- Determine patient's preferred learning style
- Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely)
- Bioavailability: amount of medication circulating in the bloodstream
- Distribution: distribution of medication to the site of action
- Metabolism (biotransformation): how the body breaks down the drug, primarily in the liver
- Excretion: elimination of products, primarily by the kidneys
Safe Medication Administration
- Only providers can write or change prescription orders
- The 6 rights: client, medication, dose, time, route, and documentation
- Use two client identifiers (e.g. name, DOB, MRN)
- Verify medication 3 times using MAR
- Consider nomenclature: chemical, generic, and trade names
- Consider uncontrolled substances (require monitoring) and controlled substances (habit-forming, addictive)
Routes of Administration
- Oral: sublingual, buccal, and enteric coating options
- Intradermal and topical: slow, gradual absorption with local effects
- Subcutaneous and IM (intramuscular): varying absorption patterns
- Intravenous: no barriers to absorption, immediate effects
Adverse Effects
- Hepatotoxicity: severe liver damage/toxicity
- Nephrotoxicity: severe kidney damage/toxicity
- Toxicity: taking too much medication or taking for too long
- Allergic reactions: immune system reacts with rash, hives, itching
- Anaphylaxis: severe, life-threatening allergic reaction
Review of dosage calculation and therapeutic index concepts, including conversions, infusion pumps, and serum concentrations, for Pharmacology Exam 1.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
