L6 Medication Information PDF

Chapter 14 Medication Information  Objectives Describe the radiographer’s role in medication administration and explain why a general knowledge of medications is of value to the radiographer. Give an example of a trade name and a generic name of a medication typically seen i...

Chapter 14 Medication Information  Objectives Describe the radiographer’s role in medication administration and explain why a general knowledge of medications is of value to the radiographer. Give an example of a trade name and a generic name of a medication typically seen in the radiology department. Demonstrate how to look up a medication in a comprehensive drug reference book. Define efficacy, potency, and toxicity as related to medications. List the four processes that compose pharmacokinetics. Compare and contrast the following medication effects: therapeutic effects, side effects, allergic effects, and toxic effects. List four classes of medications commonly used in imaging departments and at least one example of each category. Describe precautions needed for patients taking opiate or opioid medications. Explain the difference between drugs that are agonists and those that are antagonists.  Key Terms Agonist Efficacy Opioid Allergen Excretion Potency Allergic Generic Potent Analgesic Idiosyncratic Sedative Anesthetic Medication Synergistic Antagonist Metabolite Toxic Antidote Metabolize Toxicity Drug Narcotic Tranquilizer Edema Opiate  The Radiographer’s Role Comprehensive knowledge of pharmacology is not essential for imaging professionals. Necessary to understand the most common drugs and their uses  Medication Nomenclature and Information Resources Drugs and medication—interchangeable terms Names of medications  Generic—indicates its chemical family  Proprietary or trade names—given to a drug by its manufacturer Resources on medications  Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR)  Clinical Pharmacology—recommended for RTs  Medication Properties Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics  Pharmacokinetics Defined as the study of the way the body processes a drug Includes how drugs are absorbed, reach their site of action, are metabolized, and are eliminated from the body Affects the response of persons to drugs  Varies according to age, physical condition, sex, weight, and immune status  Pharmacodynamics Defined as the study of the effects of drugs on the normal physiological functions of the body Agonist  A drug that produces a specific action and promotes the desired result Antagonist  A drug that attaches itself to the receptor, preventing the agonist from acting  Medication Effects Effect Definition Cause Examples Therapeutic effect Purpose of the Usually, drug binds to receptor Pain relief, blood pressure control, medication sites on cells reduced inflammation Side effect Effect other than the Related to the chemical and Nausea, headache, insomnia, dry desired therapeutic characteristics mouth Toxic effect Poisonous, potentially Inadequate excretion, impaired Respiratory depression, kidney lethal metabolism, overdose, or drug failure sensitivity Idiosyncratic effect Overreaction, Unknown, unique to individuals Sedative causes anxiety; appetite underreaction, unusual suppressant increases appetite; reaction mild stimulant causes extreme excitation Allergic response Characteristic response Previous sensitization to an Hives, asthma attack, to an allergen initial dose of the medication bronchospasm or one of its components Synergistic effect Responses to combined Chemical or physiological drug Combination of hypertension drugs that differ from interaction medication and diuretic drug their individual effects causes weakness and fainting  Frequently Used Medications Medications used to Local anesthetics treat allergic reactions Paralytic agents Antimicrobials Hypoglycemic agents Anticonvulsants Antihypertensives Antiarrhythmics Analgesics Sedatives and tranquilizers Antagonists  Medications Used to Treat Allergic Reactions Termed antihistamines Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) is more commonly used in imaging. Epinephrine (adrenaline) is administered for severe reactions.  Antimicrobials Category includes antiseptics, such as Betadine. Antibiotics are also in this category.  Anticonvulsants Used to control or prevent seizures Example—diazepam (Valium)  Antiarrhythmics Used to treat chronic cardiac arrhythmias  Analgesics Relieve pain without causing a loss of consciousness Range from controlled narcotics to over-the- counter (OTC) medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin  Sedatives and Tranquilizers Exert a quieting effect, often inducing sleep. Tranquilizers reduce anxiety better than sedatives. Examples—lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium)  Antagonists Used to counteract the effects of other drugs, such as sedatives and analgesics Examples—flumazenil (Romazicon) and naloxone (Narcan)  Local Anesthetics Used to eliminate sensation in a specific area before a painful procedure Example—lidocaine (Xylocaine)  Paralytic Agents A skeletal muscle relaxant  May be administered for insertion of an endotracheal airway or to combative patients to facilitate diagnosis and treatment  Hypoglycemic Agents Control the level of glucose in the blood, primarily as a treatment for diabetes mellitus Type I is usually treated with insulin. Type II may be treated with metformin (Glucophage), a sulfonylurea (Amaryl or Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), chlorpropamide (Diabinase), or rosiglitazone (Avandia).  Antihypertensives Drugs used to reduce blood pressure. Two principal types:  Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors  Beta blockers  General Precautions Any of these drugs may cause an allergic reaction. Know the location of the emergency (crash) cart, resuscitation, and oxygen, as well as the code routine of your facility.