Penn Foster Pharmacology Proctor Exam Practice

Indications

reasons for giving a drug

contraindications

reasons to not give a drug

legend drugs

drugs that have the ability to cause serious harm if misused, must be regulated by the FDA as prescription drugs.

Contain a caution statement "caution federal law restricts the use of this drug to use/by/or on the order of a licensed veterinarian."

veterinarian client relationship

vet takes responsibility for making decisions based on need for treatment and the client agreeing to follow the vets' instructions. Decision must be made with a sufficient amount of information of the animal.

regimen

plan for drug administration, printed on medication label

ROUTE: of administration

DOSAGE: amount of drug given

FREQUENCY: how often to give drug

DURATION: how long to give the drug

t.i.d

q.i.d

b.i.d

three times a day (ter in die)

four times a day (quater in die)

twice a day (bis in die)

Pharmacokinetics

complex series of events involving how the body reacts to the movement of drugs in the body. Occurs after drug administration

Pharmacodynamics

study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and their mechanism of action in the body.

Routes of Administration (11)

oral: mouth

intravenous: vein

intramuscular: muscle

subcutaneous: tissue beneath skin

intradermal: skin

intraperitoneal: abdominal cavity

intraarterial: artery

intraarticular: joint

intracardiac: heart

intramedullary: marrow (bone)

epidural/subdural: spine/near spine

nebulizer

device that creates a mist used to deliver medication for giving respiratory treatment

(to kill small organisms or open lungs)

metered-dose inhaler

handheld device that produces a medicated spray for inhalation.

anesthetic gases

gaseous forms given with vaporizers

transdermal (topical) drugs

drugs placed on the skin (patch) allowing slow absorption over time

concentration gradient

drugs moving from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration

Bioavailability

measures the amount of drug that gets absorbed and is available to patient

water-soluble drugs

Drugs that dissolve in water and tend to stay in the bloodstream and either stay free or bond to various proteins (albumin)

lipid-soluble drugs

drugs absorbed by bodily fats and move out of the bloodstream into the interstitial space (between organs and tissues)

fat, liver, bone, and kidneys act as storage sites for these drugs.

placenta

blood brain barrier preventing blood from entering the brain tissues. may also interfere with the absorption of certain drugs. provides nutrients to fetus.

drug excretion

the process of eliminating medications, through the liver (bile), kidneys (urine), but also through mammary glands, sweat, feces, and saliva.

residues

drugs that will appear in the animal's milk or meat products, can cause allergic reactions or cause bacteria to become resistant to certain antibiotics. can result in cancer.

efficacy

degree to which desired effect is achieved

potency

amount of drug needed to produce desired effect.

represented by a dose-responsive curve

lethal dose (LD50)

Dose that's lethal to kill 50% of animals given that drug

effective dose (ED50)

Dose that produced the desired effect in 50% of animals given that drug

therapeutic index

LD50/ED50

the ratio between the toxic (LETHAL) and therapeutic (EFFECTIVE) concentrations of a drug

adverse drugs reactions

reactions are undesired responses to the drug

formulary

book containing drug dosages and a list of adverse reactions

proprietary label

trade name of a patented drug

generic label

unpatented copy of a drug

what must drug labels contain? (6)

-drug names: generic and trade

-concentration and quantity

-name and address of manufacturer

-controlled substance status

- manufacturer control or lot number

- expiration date

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

regulates development and approval of pesticides and establishes water quality standards.

Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)

Regulates drugs with abuse potential, and licenses. maintains the lists of "Schedules" based upon abuse liability.

All who dispense these drugs must keep careful records including.

- drug name

- date of prescription

- owner and patient name

- amount dispensed

- initials of dispensing doctor

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

regulates the development and approval of biologics (medical products such as vaccines, serums, antitoxins, and other products)

Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA)

made the extra label use of approved veterinary drugs legal under certain well-defined conditions.

to get a drug approved and labeled for a specific use in a specific animal costs a lot of money.

Six Rights of Administration

1) right patient

2) right drug

3) right route

4) right dose

5) right time and frequency

6) right documentation

oral medications

tablets, suspensions, capsules

emulsions

milky solutions containing the drug, the mixtures don't mix so it needs to be shaken

elixirs

compound liquid meds held in a solution by alcohol, contain flavorings to mask the drug taste.

4 types of syringes

1) Slip tip- most common

2) Luer lock- screw top, thick fluids

3) Eccentric tip- larger volumes into a vein

4) Catheter tip- good for oral feedings

IV catheter

placed into vein to allow repeated injections, makes repetitive intravenous meds easier.

butterfly catheter used for short term IV therapy

endotracheal tubes

Artificial airways placed into the trachea for controlled ventilation

tranquilizers

compounds used to calm or quiet a patient.

acepromazine & chlorpromazine

Neuroleptanalgesics

- combination of an opioid and tranquilizer or sedative

- cause CNS depression and analgesia and may or may not produce unconsciousness

Combinations prepared by veterinarians include...

- Xylazine and butorphanol

- Acepromazine and morphine

- Acepromazine and oxymorphone

Side effects: panting, bradycardia, increased sensitivity to sound, flatulence

behavioral pharmacotherapy

use of drugs to treat various behavioral problems such as:

- separation anxiety

- phobias

- compulsive disorders

- cognitive dysfunction syndrome

antianxiety medication side effects

- lethargy

- ataxia (uncoordinated movements)

- polyuria (large production of urine)

- polydipsia (extreme thirst)

- hyperexcitability

- liver problems in cats

antidepressant medication side effects

- sedation

- tachycardia

- mydriasis (overstretching of eyes pupil)

- dry mouth

- urine retention

- constipation

serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Increase the amount of serotonin in the brain by preventing serotonin removal.

side effects: anorexia, nausea, lethargy, anxiety, diarrhea

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

work by blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase which breaks down dopamine. Increases levels of dopamine, an antidepressant.

Inotropic drugs

affect the force of heart contraction.

- positive inotropic increase strength

- negative inotropic decrease strength.

chronotropic drugs

affect the heart rate.

- positive chronotropic increases heart rate

- negative chronotropic decreases heart rate

emetics

drugs that cause vomiting

antiemetics

control nausea and vomiting by treating symptoms

hematics

iron supplements that help correct anemia

anticoagulant

prevents clotting of the blood

laxatives

to stimulate bowel movements

anti-acids

neutralize the stomach acid by binding directly to it.

- contains aluminum, calcium, and magnesium salts

Antitussives

relieve or suppress coughing by blocking the cough reflex in the medulla of the brain

Expectorants

improve the ability to cough up mucus from the respiratory tract by loosening the mucus

Mucolystics

chemical composition of mucus

Decongestants

eliminate or reduce swelling or congestion of nasal passages

Corticosteroids

A group of hormones, including cortisol, released by the adrenal glands at times of stress to treat respiratory conditions due to allergies.

anti-inflammatory agents that treat symptoms of diseases

- treat skin inflammation

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers muscle contraction.

Anticholinergics

Atropine

GI - Slows motility, spasm

Eyes - Dilates pupils DO NOT GIVE TO GLAUCOME PTS

Heart - Increase HR, prevents bradycardia.

Resp - bronchodilator (Atrovent)

Adrenergic Agents

- stimulate heart beats

- correct hypotension

- cause ventilation

- treat urine incontinence

Glaucoma Adrenergic Agents

Antagonists for adrenergic agents (reversal), block signals of pain in the eye to release pressure

- cause vasodilation

Barbiturates

Depress the CNS

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

- Large group of drugs that provide mild pain relief and anti-inflammatory benefits.

analgesic, antipyretic, and aspirin platelet inhibition.

Synthetic Progestins

used to treat behavioral problems associated with changing hormonal levels

euthanasia

the act of painlessly killing a suffering person or animal; mercy killing with drugs

antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

to treat diabetes insipidus by correcting the amount of chemicals, urine from diabetes insipidus is highly diluted.

Urinary Acidifiers

methionine and ammonium chloride

- produce acid urine (lower the pH), assisting in dissolving and preventing formation of struvite uroliths (crystals and stones)

Urinary Alkalizers

Potassium citrate and sodium bicarbonate

raise the pH of urine to prevent urinary stones

urinary incontinence

inability to control urination

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

help manage interstitial cystitis (difficult to treat painful bladder condition), prevent microorganisms & crystals from sticking to bladder wall.

Epakitin

extracted from shells of crabs & shrimp.

- binds phosphorous in the intestine helping to eliminate the high blood phosphorous levels (often seen in pets with renal failure)

Catecholamines

dopamine, epinephrine, dobutamine:

- act by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system to...

- increase force & rate of heart contractions

- constrict peripheral blood vessels (increase bp)

- elevate blood glucose levels

side effects: tachycardia, dyspnea, bp changes

Bipyridine derivatives

Amrinone (IV) and Milrinone (orally)

- block certain enzymes, resulting to an increase in cellular calcium.

surfactants

Docusate

- reduces water surface tension allowing water to penetrate into and soften the contents in the gastrointestinal tract.

Protectants

Pepto-Bismol or activated charcoal

- coat inflamed intestines with a protective layer and relieve inflammation. adsorbents bind with bacteria or toxins to protect their harmful effects.

Antifoaming Agents

drugs that reduce or prevent the formation of gas bloating.

- surfactants that change the surface tension of the bubbles and cause them to break down for expelling.

Anti-inflammatory drugs

prednisolone, azathioprine, sulfasalazine

- counteract inflammation and swelling in cases of unknown bowel disease

GI Prokinetics/Stimulants

increase the motility of part of the gastrointestinal (GI) system to increase the speed of materials through the tract

Bulk producing agents

absorbs water and swells to increase the bulk of intestinal contents, stimulating peristalsis (contractions that force the contents out)

use: relief of constipation and sand impactions in horses

prostaglandin E-1 analogs

Directly inhibits the parietal cell from secreting

hydrogen ions into the stomach, decreasing stomach acid.

- prevent or treat gastric ulcers associated

with the use of NSAIDs

Antiulcer medications

endocrine system

- pituitary gland

- adrenal gland

- ovaries or testis

- pancreas

- kidneys

messaging system releasing hormones from glands into the bloodstream

Hypothalamus

a neural structure lying below the thalamus

- directs eating

- drinking

- body temperature

- helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland - is linked to emotion

- senses whether certain hormones need produced using odors, sounds, sights, stress, temperature.

Negative and Positive Feedback

Negative: high levels of hormones decrease the activity of the hypothalamus.

Positive: low levels of hormones increase the activity of the hypothalamus.

What happens when the Hypothalamus releases Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)?

It causes the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH and a FSH follicle forms and begins to release estrogen.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

used to stimulate the ovaries to produce more follicles than normal for the species.

Estrogens

inhibit ovulation, increase uterine tone, treat persistent corpus luteus (collapsed follicle) in cattle

Androgens

male sex hormones

testosterone, methyltestosterone, danzolol

- promote weight gain

- RBC formation

- tissue anabolism

Progestins

female hormones generated in the ovaries that helps maintain pregnancy

Prostaglandins

used to abort pregnancies, induce parturition (labor), or treat pyometra (uterus infection)

thyroid glands

convert iodine into two active hormones, T3 (active) & T4 (inactive).

- located in neck

- involved in heart rate, body temp, metabolic rate, metabolism, skin conditions.

hyperhtyroidism

excess secretion of thyroid hormone, immunologic and genetic factors, most common form is graves disease.

- fast heart rate

- lose weight despite eating

- may be hyperexcitable

hypothyroidism

A disorder caused by a thyroid gland that is slower and less productive than normal

- lethargic

- bradycardic

- poor skin and hair coat conditions

Hypoadrenocorticism

deficient adrenal gland production of glucocorticoid and aldosterone

- resulting in weakness, vomiting, collapse and weight loss; - also called Addison's disease

Hyperadrecortism

over secretion of aldosterone and glucocorticoids by the adrenal gland

- common endocrine disorder of dogs & horses

-caused by a tumor in pituitary gland secreting too much ACTH

- Cushing's disease

ophthalmic drugs

help treat eye problems

Schirmer tear test

Test to determine the amount of tear production by the lacrimal (tear glands)

- useful in diagnosing dry eye (xerophthalmia)