Pharmacology Basics

What is the nursing process?

ADPIE

-Assessment

-Data Analysis

-Planning

-Implementation

-Evaluation

Polypharmacy

pt is on multiple medications at one time

Pharmacology

Study or science of drugs

Toxicology

Science of adverse effects

Drug

Chemical impacting organism’s physiology

Prototype Drug

The example drug, usually the first

Drug Class (Classification)

Grouping of drugs by structure or use

Generic Name

Drug name given by the FDA

Brand Name

Drug name trademarked by manufacturer

Pharmacokinetics

What the body does to the drug

Pharmacodynamics

what the drug does to the body

Pharmacotherapeutics

The clinical use of drugs to prevent and treat diseases

Principles of Pharmacokinetics

ADME

-Absorption

-Distribution

-Metabolism

-Excretion

Bioavailability

The amount of the drug that is available to work at the intended site

First pass effect

Liver changes a large amount of the drug into inactive metabolites (makes less bioavailable med)

Distribution

Transportation of the med to its intended site of action

-Often carried by albumin through the blood stream

IV

Most bioavailable route

GI

Least bioavailable

Things that affect distribution

-Pt age

-Weight

-Fat content

-Blood flow

-Lymphatic system

-chemical properties of drug

-Albumin level

Metabolism

Med broken down and converted

Liver

Most common site for drug metabolism

Excretion

Elimination of drugs from the body

Kidneys

Most common site for drug elimination

Therapeutic level

drug concentration for desired effect

Peak level

maximum drug concentration in blood

Trough level

concentration 30 min. before next dose

Half-life

time taken from drug to reduce by 1/2

Tolerance

Decreased response to drug doses

Mechanisms of action

How is the drug working on the body

Indication

Why is the patient taking this drug

Contraindication

Specific situations or conditions where a drug should not be used due to potential harm

Therapeutic Effect

Intended effect

Side effect

Expected effect, can be harmful or beneficial

Adverse effect

Unintended consequence, often harmful

Nursing Implications

Considerations and actions that nurses must take when administering a medication