1.1 pharmacology basis & intro.docx

Pharmacology Basics Introduction **Key Points on Pharmacology Basics** 1. **Learning Objectives:** - **Pharmacokinetics**: Understand the processes involved in how drugs move through the body. - **Professional Resources**: Use various tools and technology to find rel...

Pharmacology Basics Introduction **Key Points on Pharmacology Basics** 1. **Learning Objectives:** - **Pharmacokinetics**: Understand the processes involved in how drugs move through the body. - **Professional Resources**: Use various tools and technology to find relevant drug information. - **Pharmacodynamics**: Learn how drugs affect the body and how this can vary with age. - **Drug Types**: Differentiate between prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements. 2. **Importance of Safe Medication Administration:** - Nurses frequently make critical decisions about medication safety, effectiveness, and appropriateness. - **Examples of Nursing Decisions**: - Assessing whether a patient's heart rate is suitable for beta-blocker administration. - Verifying renal function before giving antibiotics. - Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication for symptom relief. 3. **Foundational Knowledge for Safe Medication Administration:** - **Understanding Pharmacology**: Essential for making informed decisions regarding medication orders, administration records, and dispensing. - **Impact of Medications**: Plays a crucial role in managing symptoms, promoting recovery, and enhancing patient well-being. 4. **Pharmacokinetics**: The science behind how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body.