Introduction to Pharmacology and Nursing Administration

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from lecture notes on introductory pharmacology, drug development, legal principles, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.

Drug

Any chemical substance that, when administered, produces a change in function.

Pharmacology

The study of the effects of chemical substances on living tissues, including their sources, nature, properties, and the body's reaction to them.

Clinical Pharmacology

The study of drugs specifically used to treat, diagnose, or prevent a disease.

Investigational New Drug Development

A drug development process lasting 10 to 15 years and costing approximately $2.6\text{ B}$, spanning preclinical assessment, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III clinical trials, and postmarketing surveillance.

Respect for Persons

A core ethical principle in clinical research incorporating patient autonomy, the right to refuse treatment, and nursing advocacy.

Beneficence

A core ethical principle requiring researchers to protect study subjects from harm by evaluating risks and benefits.

United States Pharmacopeia National Formulary (USP-NF)

The official compendia for drugs marketed in the United States since 1820, setting official standards to avoid charges of drug adulteration and misbranding.

Misfeasance

Negligence in performing a nursing action during drug administration.

Nonfeasance

An omission or failure to perform an essential nursing action in drug administration.

Malfeasance

The performance of an unlawful or wrongful act during drug administration.

Chemical Name

The exact molecular and atomic structure designation of a chemical drug compound.

Generic Name

The official nonproprietary chemical name of a drug listed in the National Formulary.

Brand Name

The proprietary trade name selected and trademarked by the drug manufacturer.

Medication Label Components

Standard labeling elements on pharmaceutical packaging including the NDC number, brand name, generic name, drug dose, quantity, lot number, expiration date, storage requirements, manufacturer, prescription status, and administration warnings.

Controlled Substance Schedules

Five schedule categories (I through V) categorizing controlled substances by medical utility and potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependency.

Generic vs. Brand-Name Drugs

Comparison showing that generic and brand-name drugs share identical active ingredients, strength, dosage, and safety standards, but may differ in cost, inactive ingredients, insurance coverage, and physical appearance.

Orphan Drugs

Drugs developed specifically for treating rare diseases, which are not widely available and can be potentially dangerous.

Off-Label Drugs

Medications prescribed for clinical indications other than those officially approved by the FDA.

Selective Toxicity

The ability of a drug to target and destroy harmful pathogens or cells without causing harm to host tissue.

Three Phases of Drug Action

The three successive phases determining drug response: Pharmaceutic, Pharmacokinetic, and Pharmacodynamic.

Pharmaceutic Phase

The initial phase of drug action involving disintegration and dissolution, occurring exclusively for oral medications.

Excipients

Inactive substances added to oral drug formulations to enhance disintegration and dissolution.

Hepatic First-Pass Effect

The passage of orally administered drugs through the portal vein into the liver, where drug metabolism reduces the overall bioavailability.

Bioavailability

The percentage of an administered drug dose that reaches systemic circulation.

Distribution Phase

The movement of a drug from systemic circulation to target body tissues, influenced by blood flow, tissue affinity, and protein binding.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A protective anatomical boundary that blocks approximately 98% of chemical substances and medications from entering brain tissue.

Metabolism (Biotransformation)

The enzymatic process, occurring mainly in the liver, where the body alters drugs into active metabolites or excreteable forms.

Half-Life ($t_{1/2}$)

The amount of time required for the body to eliminate half of the drug's plasma concentration.

Loading Dose

An initial larger dose of a medication given to quickly achieve a minimal effective concentration in plasma.

Excretion Phase

The elimination of unbound, water-soluble drugs from the body, primarily executed by the kidneys.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of drug concentration and its resultant primary and secondary physiological effects on the body.

Critical Concentration

The specific drug level required in the body to produce a therapeutic effect.

Onset, Peak, and Duration

The time parameters describing when drug action starts (onset), reaches maximum concentration (peak level), and sustains therapeutic activity (duration of action).

Insulin Duration and Plasma Levels

Pharmacodynamic profiles illustrating variations in plasma levels and duration for rapid-acting (Aspart, Lispro, Glulisine), short-acting (Regular), intermediate-acting (NPH), and long-acting (Detemir, Glargine) insulins.

Therapeutic Index (TI)

The ratio comparing a drug's toxic dose to its effective dose ($\text{TI} = \frac{\text{TD}_{50}}{\text{ED}_{50}}$ or $\frac{\text{LD}_{50}}{\text{ED}_{50}}$), defining its safety margin.

Agonist

A drug that binds to and activates cell receptors to produce a desired biological response.

Antagonist

A drug that binds to cell receptors to prevent activation and block a biological response.

Side Effects

Physiological responses to a drug that are unrelated to the intended drug effect, which can be beneficial or unfavorable.

Adverse Reactions

Unintended and unwanted harmful effects of a drug ranging from mild to severe intensity.

Idiosyncratic Effect

An unusual, peculiar, or paradoxical response to a medication.

Tachyphylaxis

An acute, rapid development of drug tolerance causing decreased responsiveness over a short timeframe.

Drug Tolerance

A progressive decrease in responsiveness to a drug over time.

Individual Response Variation in Medications

Statistical distribution showing percentages of nonresponders across major therapeutic drug classes.

Ethnomedicine

The study of cross-cultural perspectives and traditional practices regarding health, illness, and healing.

Ethnopharmacology

The study of drug usage, responses, and natural substances within specific ethnic and cultural groups.

Transcultural Nursing

Nursing practice directed toward delivering culturally competent patient care that respects individual beliefs and practices.