NRS Pharmacology - Role of Nurse/Clinical Judgement

Morbidity

State of being unhealthy or symptomatic related to a disease or condition

Bid

Twice per day

Tid

Three times per day

qid

Four times per day

q (eg. q8h)

every (eg, every 8 hours)

PRN

As needed

IM

Intramuscular

IV

Intravenous

Subcut

Subcutaneously

SL

Sublingal

PO

By mouth

NPO

Nothing by mouth

pc

After meals

ac

before meals

absorption

Process when medication moves from the entry point of the body to the body’s circulation

additive effect

​​​​​​​When two substances are used in combination and the overall effect is equal to the sum of the individual effects of each one

anaphylaxis

​​​​​​​A severe and life-threatening allergic reaction that causes extreme inflammation

​​​​​​​antagonistic effect

When one medication interferes with or diminishes the action of another, reducing the overall therapeutic outcome

cerumen

​​​​​​​Waxy substance that provides the first line of defense to the ear canal by trapping foreign bodies and reducing irritation

​​​​​​​distribution

Process where a medication spreads through the body tissues and fluids after it has entered the bloodstream

efficacy

​​​​​​​The effectiveness of a treatment

enteral

​​​​​​​Route of administration involving the gastrointestinal tract

excretion

Process where the body eliminates waste, including medications and their metabolites

​​​​​​​first-pass elimination effect

Process where a medication is metabolized in the body prior to entering the bloodstream, therefore decreasing the overall medication concentration

metabolism

​​​​​​​The process in which the body transforms and processes food, drink, and medications

neonate

Term used to describe a newborn infant within the first 28 days after birth

orthostatic hypotension

​​​​​​​Low blood pressure when someone stands up or changes position from lying down to upright, resulting in dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting

ototoxic

Medications are classified as ____if they cause injury to the inner ear

parenteral

​​​​​​​Route of administration involving tissue and the circulatory system, typically involving injections through various routes (IV, IM, subcutaneous)

pharmacodynamics

​​​​​​​Study of the biochemical and physiological effects of medications on the body, the mechanisms of action, and the relationship between medication concentration and effect

pharmacokinetics

​​​​​​​The movement of a medication through the body, interacting with the body throughout the entire process

synergistic effect

When the effect of two combined medications is greater than the sum of their individual effects

teratogen

Anything that negatively affects expected embryonic or fetal development, including medications, illicit drugs, radiation, chemicals, and infections

thrombophlebitis

​​​​​​​Inflammation of a vein that is associated with a blood clot

Toxicity

​​​​​​​Harmful and damaging effect on the body caused by doses exceeding a medication’s therapeutic threshold or due to a heightened sensitivity to certain medications

wheal

A raised area of the skin.​​​​​​

adverse effects

Unexpected effects of a medication that can cause harm to clients

agranulocytosis

An inherited or acquired condition in which severely low levels of a type of white blood cells, known as neutrophils, occurs leading to an increased risk of infection

anaphylactic shock

An abrupt, severe, and potentially fatal allergic reaction that affects the entire body. It is characterized by airway constriction causing breathing difficulties and airway obstruction by to swelling of the throat

anticoagulants

Medications administered to prevent blood clots

central venous catheter

Catheter inserted into a vein to administer high volume or high concentrations of medications, such as a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line)

client-centered care

Delivering care in a client-specific, individualized approach that includes the client in shared decision-making regarding care

dissemination

Distributing information to others

epidural

Medication administered directly into the epidural space along the spine

Evidence-Based Practice

A decision-making approach in health care where professionals use the best available research evidence, their clinical expertise, and the client's preferences to determine the best course of action for treatment or care

Holistic

Referring to the whole person

idiosyncratic drug reaction

Unpredictable medication reactions

intrathecal

Administration of medication into the spinal cord

Just culture

Shared accountability within organizations

Mortality

Deaths related to a specific health event

patient-controlled analgesia

Pain management in which the client can dispense medications through the IV pump with the use of a button

Qualitative

Data gathered by researchers that is not represented in numerical form, such as surveys, interviews, or observations

Quantitative

Numerical data representing information that is counted or measured

Sentinel Event

An event in which client harm (either temporary or permanent) or death has occurred

Sepsis

An overwhelming, systemic, and life-threatening response to infection

Side effects

A generally unintended effect of a medication (or treatment) causing minor or non-emergency manifestations

Slip error

Error occurring with look-alike or sound-alike medications

subcutaneous (SUBQ)

Administration of medication under the skin into the fatty tissue

Topical

Administration of medication onto the surface of the skin

Touchpoint

A point of contact or interaction between individuals