UNMC Pharmacology Exam 1 Flashcards 2021

Questions and Answers

What is a drug?

Any substance that is taken to prevent, cure, or reduce symptoms of a medical condition.

What is pharmacology?

The study of medicine.

What is pharmacotherapy?

The application of drugs for prevention or treatment of suffering.

What are characteristics of an ideal drug?

Effectively treats, prevents, or cures the patient's condition; produces rapid and predictable responses; is taken conveniently; inexpensive; has no interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a therapeutic classification?

What is being treated by the drug. Signup and view all the answers

What is the pharmacologic classification?

The mechanism of the drug or how the drug produces its effects in the body. Signup and view all the answers

What does a diuretic do?

Lowers plasma volume. Signup and view all the answers

What does a calcium channel blocker do?

Blocks heart calcium channels. Signup and view all the answers

What does an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor do?

Blocks hormonal activity. Signup and view all the answers

What does an adrenergic antagonist (or blocker) do?

Blocks physiological reactions to stress. Signup and view all the answers

What does a vasodilator do?

Dilates peripheral blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What is a chemical name?

Each drug has only one; it provides a clear and concise meaning of the nature of the drug, is often difficult to pronounce, and is established by IUPAC. Signup and view all the answers

What is a generic name?

Less complicated than the chemical name, easy to memorize, and used by many organizations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a trade/brand name?

Name that is given by the pharmaceutical company marketing the drug, often short and easy to remember. Signup and view all the answers

What is the big difference between a generic drug and a trade name drug?

Price; generic drugs are cheaper. Signup and view all the answers

What are a nurse's responsibilities when it comes to medication?

Monitoring patient's condition before and during drug use; evaluating drug effects; teaching patient about self-administration; conducting medication reconciliation. Signup and view all the answers

A patient who is admitted to the medical unit for monitoring notices the arthritis medication does not look like the one used at home and asks the nurse about the different appearance. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate? (Select all that apply)

This generic drug is the one we have on formulary in the pharmacy. It has the same ingredients as the one you use at home. Signup and view all the answers

What regulatory agency is responsible for ensuring drugs and medical devices are safe and effective?

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Signup and view all the answers

How many branches does the FDA have?

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How many phases does the FDA's clinical investigation involve?

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What is a prescription drug?

A patient must receive authorization to receive the drug. Signup and view all the answers

What is an over-the-counter drug?

Does not require authorization from health care providers. Signup and view all the answers

Why might a drug be a prescription rather than an over-the-counter drug?

May be addictive, too harmful for self-administration, or used for complex conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What are some risks of over-the-counter drugs?

Patients may not choose proper medications, lack assistance from healthcare providers, and may interact with other drugs, foods, or herbal meds. Signup and view all the answers

What are supplements?

Not tested by the FDA; herbal drugs and dietary supplements. Signup and view all the answers

What are scheduled drugs?

Drugs with high potential for dependence or are frequently abused; sale and distribution are highly restricted; 5 categories. Signup and view all the answers

Describe schedule 1 drugs.

Highest potential for abuse, no current acceptable medical use; no prescription may be written; Examples include heroin, LSD, marijuana. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Drug Concepts

A drug is any substance intended to prevent, cure, or alleviate medical symptoms.
Pharmacology is the scientific study of medicine and its effects.
Pharmacotherapy refers to the use of drugs to treat or prevent suffering.

Ideal Drug Characteristics

Effectiveness in treating or curing conditions is crucial.
Rapid and predictable responses are essential.
The drug should be convenient to take and affordable.
No adverse interactions with other substances should occur.

Drug Classifications

Therapeutic classification categorizes drugs based on what conditions they treat.
Pharmacologic classification focuses on the mechanism of action of drugs.

Drug Actions

Diuretics reduce plasma volume.
Calcium channel blockers impede calcium flow in the heart.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block hormonal activity related to blood pressure.
Adrenergic antagonists prevent stress-induced physiological reactions.
Vasodilators widen peripheral blood vessels.

Drug Naming Conventions

Each drug has a single chemical name, which is based on IUPAC standards, but can be complex and hard to pronounce.
Generic names are simpler, easier to memorize, and widely used for drug identification.
Trade or brand names are chosen by pharmaceutical companies and are designed to be catchy and memorable.
The price difference is significant: generic drugs are typically much cheaper than brand-name counterparts.

Nursing Responsibilities in Medication

Nurses should monitor patient conditions before and during drug administration.
Evaluation of drug effects is crucial for ensuring efficacy and safety.
Patient education on self-administration is essential.
Conducting medication reconciliation helps ensure correct medication use.

Patient Interactions Regarding Medications

It's important to clarify potential differences between medications, including brand and generic names, and their equivalency in effectiveness.

Drug Regulation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices.
FDA is comprised of seven branches.
Clinical investigations regulated by the FDA follow four distinct phases.

Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Drugs

Prescription drugs require authorization from a healthcare provider for access.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are available without such authorization.
Prescription status may be due to potential for addiction, harm, or complexity in management.

Risks of Over-the-Counter Drugs

Patients might select inappropriate medications without guidance.
OTC drugs can interact negatively with other medications or dietary choices.

Supplements and Scheduled Drugs

Supplements, including herbal and dietary products, are not FDA-tested.
Scheduled drugs have a high potential for abuse or dependence and are heavily regulated, classified into five categories.
Schedule I drugs, exemplified by heroin and LSD, are the most restricted, with no accepted medical use or legal prescription options.
Schedule II drugs have high abuse potential but may be prescribed under strict regulations.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards on pharmacology concepts including drug definitions and pharmacotherapy. This quiz covers key terms and characteristics of ideal drugs essential for understanding pharmacology principles.