Pharmacology for EMS Week 1

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Questions and Answers

What does pharmacokinetics primarily focus on?

The study of how drugs affect the body

Interacting mechanisms of multiple drugs

The journey of drugs within the body (correct)

The psychological effects of drug use

Why is it important to consider drug-drug interactions in pharmacology?

They may lead to undiscovered drug metabolism

They can influence drug action and toxicity (correct)

They only affect how drugs are administered

They can improve drug efficacy and potency

What is the main focus of toxicology in pharmacology?

The psychological aspects of addiction

The adverse effects of drug overdoses (correct)

How drugs are absorbed in the body

The beneficial effects of drugs

What is a critical consideration when selecting medications for a patient?

The specific disease and patient factors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major component of pharmacodynamics?

Effects of drugs on living organisms Signup and view all the answers

What defines the pharmacological effect of a medication?

Its therapeutic and adverse effects on a patient Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of drug metabolism relate to?

The process of breaking down medication Signup and view all the answers

What is a key consequence of sudden withdrawal from a medication for a drug-dependent individual?

Acute withdrawal symptoms and complications Signup and view all the answers

What is a drug as defined in the content?

A chemical substance that produces a biological effect Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a medication?

A chemical preparation intended to produce a therapeutic effect Signup and view all the answers

What must a substance do to be considered a drug if it is also produced by the body?

It must be administered exogenously Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following attributes is NOT listed as important for a drug to be clinically useful?

Marketability Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a drug from a nutrient?

A drug modifies physiological systems Signup and view all the answers

Which example illustrates an endogenous substance that might be considered a drug when exogenously administered?

Insulin Signup and view all the answers

Why is the source of a chemical important when discussing drugs?

To establish its potential for abuse Signup and view all the answers

Which route of administration would make sodium chloride less effective as a drug?

Oral ingestion Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes semisynthetic medications from synthetic medications?

Semisynthetic medications derive from natural sources. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the UAE's drug policies as stated in the recent laws?

Rehabilitation for first-time offenders. Signup and view all the answers

How do alternate therapies potentially affect the body?

They may provoke an immune response and affect physiological processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key consideration regarding the route of administration of a medication?

Different routes can change how the body interacts with a drug. Signup and view all the answers

What does Federal Law No 4 of 1983 in the UAE primarily address?

Basic requirements for prescribing and supplying prescription medicines. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about poisons and drugs is correct?

The same compound can be both toxic and therapeutic depending on dosage and context. Signup and view all the answers

How are synthetic medications produced?

They are made entirely from chemicals synthesized in a laboratory. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about drug abuse is true in the context of UAE legislation?

Changes have been made to promote rehabilitation over punishment. Signup and view all the answers

How can the context and application of poisons influence their use in medicine?

Variations in dosage can make poisons effective treatments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a chemical name for drugs?

To describe the chemical structure and side chains of the compound. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between generic and chemical names?

Generic names are often simplified versions of chemical names. Signup and view all the answers

Why might a drug's generic name not be immediately recognizable?

It might be derived from sources like the Latin name. Signup and view all the answers

What determines why some drugs have multiple forms described in their generic names?

Water insolubility challenges lead to alternative organic forms. Signup and view all the answers

How many different names do most drugs have?

Three - chemical, generic, and trade names. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of drugs within the same functional group?

They are similar in structure but have different properties. Signup and view all the answers

What explains the differences in generic names among drugs in the same group?

Significant structural differences or varying origins may exist. Signup and view all the answers

What does the trade name of a drug signify?

The commercially marketed name of the drug Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a drug's trade name after its patent expires?

Other companies can create different trade names for it Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following indicates a change in medication in a trade name?

The additional suffix Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of grouping drugs generically?

It facilitates discussion about treatment strategies Signup and view all the answers

What classification does Labetolol fall under?

Antihypertensive Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'analgesic' refer to?

Drugs that relieve pain Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following trade names is associated with Paracetamol?

Panadeine Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs is an example of an antidepressant?

Amitriptyline Signup and view all the answers

Which group of drugs includes agents that block the effects of adrenaline?

B blockers Signup and view all the answers

What is the alternative name for paracetamol in American nomenclature?

Acetaminophen Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a key component that should be included in a drug presentation?

Dose and administration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a diuretic?

Lignocaine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of ACE Inhibitors in pharmacology?

Reduce blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is commonly known as albuterol in American terminology?

Salbutamol Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is most typically treated using antihypertensive medications?

Hypertension Signup and view all the answers

What is a common side effect associated with many antihypertensive medications?

Dizziness Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course title: Pharmacology for EMS (EHS 202)
Course institution: Fatima College of Health Sciences
Week: 1
Focus: Introduction to Pharmacology

Learning Objectives

Describe pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, metabolism, route of administration, drug action, efficacy, potency, and toxicity.
List major drugs and drug classes used in prehospital settings.
Describe the specific pharmacology of major drugs and drug classes in prehospital settings, including indications, contraindications, mechanisms of action, physiological effects, major adverse effects, and clinically significant drug interactions.
Apply pharmacology knowledge and patient-specific factors to select appropriate medications for a given disease/condition.
Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and modify treatment plans.
Understand the basic principles of toxicology, mechanisms of adverse drug effects, and management of drug overdoses.
Explain the physiological, pharmacological, and psychological effects of acute and chronic drug exposure, and the consequences of drug withdrawal.

What is Pharmacology?

The study of how drugs affect living systems.

Why Study Pharmacology?

Paramedics encounter various medications (administered and taken by patients).
Detailed understanding is essential for patient management and high-quality care.
Provides education and advice to the public.
Plays a role in initiating, monitoring, and adjusting drug treatment strategies.
Enables informed clinical decision-making.

What is a Drug?

A chemical substance (excluding nutrients/essential ingredients) which, when administered to a living organism, produces a biological effect.
Any substance/product used to modify or explore physiological/pathological systems for the recipient's benefit.
Drugs can be synthetic chemicals, extracted from plants/animals, or products of genetic engineering.

Route of Administration Importance

The route of administration can influence the drug's actions
A drug administered intravenously may cause different effects than the same drug taken orally.
Endogenous substances, even though they are produced by the body, can still be considered drugs when administered.

What is a Medication/Medicine?

A chemical preparation (often containing multiple drugs) intentionally administered to produce a therapeutic effect.
Ingredients are mixed to improve stability, taste, or form, facilitating ease of administration of the active drug.
Effective drugs exhibit potency, biological selectivity, and chemical specificity.

Source of Chemical Importance

Some drugs derived from plants have both beneficial properties and the potential for abuse.

Sources of Medication

Synthetic: Made entirely in a laboratory.
Semisynthetic: Derived from plant, animal, or mineral sources.

Intention of Administration Importance

Whether a drug is intentionally consumed or not does not alter its action or interaction within the body.
The route of administration is critical for consideration and is frequently necessary to treat patients.

Drug Controls in the UAE

Aligned with international agreements on narcotic and psychotropic drugs.
Ensures that such drugs are not widely available to the public, minimizing misuse/trafficking.
Federal laws (e.g., No. 4 of 1983, No. 14 of 1995) outline the requirements for prescribing and supplying prescription drugs.
Current laws focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment in cases of first-time drug offenders.

Drug, Food, or Nutritional Supplement?

Concentrated/refined compounds, derived from natural sources, which have effects on the body.
Excessive quantities of naturally occurring compounds can be detrimental in terms of harm or effect.

Alternative Therapies?

'Alternate therapies' often contain compounds/chemicals which are absorbed into the body and trigger reactions like other drugs.
Such substances may alter the immune system or interact with other physiological processes.

Poisons and Other Chemicals?

Drugs/chemicals are regarded as being the same regardless of their origin, whether synthetic, plant-based, animal-derived, or mineral derived
Poisons and other chemicals can be therapeutic if the dose is carefully controlled.

Drug Name

Drugs have chemical names, generic names, and trade names.
Chemical names: Precise description of chemical structure
Generic names: Simplified chemical name (easier to remember)
Trade names: Names by which manufacturers sell the drugs.

Generic Name

Primarily a simplified name derived from part of the chemical name.
Often used by health professionals in discussions/record-keeping.
May include a suffix indicating the drug group.
Some drugs have different forms which may be reflected in their name (e.g., Hydrochloride, Sulphate, Tartrate).

Trade Name

Proprietary name assigned by the drug manufacturer for marketing.
Trademarked by the manufacturer (exclusive rights).
Multiple trade names exist for a single drug.

Grouping of Drugs by Function

Drugs can be grouped by their intended use (e.g., antihypertensives, antidepressants)
Enables generalised discussions about treatment strategies without needing detailed information on dosage or administration.

Grouping of Drugs by Mechanism of Action

Grouping drugs by the specific way in which they work in the body.
Example: Anti-hypertensives (e.g., beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, AT2 receptor antagonists, diuretics), and each class has different mechanisms of action.
Understanding the mechanisms offers insight into medical conditions that might be treated with those classes of drugs.

Americanism Note

The text notes differences in generic/non-proprietary drug names between British and American nomenclature.

Weekly Learning Task

Students will prepare presentations for class on a specific drug, including indications, actions, dose/administration, contraindications, precautions, and side effects.

References

Provides citation information for texts used in the course.

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Description

Dive into the fundamentals of pharmacology with this quiz focused on Week 1 of EHS 202. Explore key concepts like pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and the pharmacological specifics of major prehospital medications. This assessment will test your understanding of drug action, efficacy, potency, and the principles of toxicology in emergency medical settings.