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What is pharmacology?
The study of drugs and their action on living organisms.
Why is pharmacologic knowledge essential for nurses?
It is essential for administering medications safely and monitoring clients who receive medications.
What changed in healthcare over the last century regarding drugs?
The discovery of antibiotics and other drugs changed treating infections and improved patient outcomes.
What is the difference between chemical name, generic name, and trade name of a drug?
Chemical name describes the drug's molecular structure; generic name is the official name not owned by any company; trade name is the marketing name given by the manufacturer.
What are prescription drugs?
Drugs prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider that are potentially harmful without supervision.
What is the controlled substances act of 1970?
Established a classification system for drugs with abuse potential and regulates their manufacture, distribution, and dispensing.
What does the term pharmacokinetics refer to?
The transportation activity of drugs in the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
What is the first-pass effect?
The process by which a drug is metabolized in the liver before entering systemic circulation.
What influences the rate of absorption of a drug?
Factors such as route of administration, drug solubility, and conditions of the body’s tissues.
Define pharmacodynamics.
The study of the mechanisms by which drugs produce biochemical or physiological changes in the body.
What is drug idiosyncrasy?
An unusual or atypical reaction to a drug that differs from what is normally expected.
What does the term drug tolerance mean?
A decreased response to a drug, requiring an increase in dosage to achieve the desired effect.
What is anaphylactic shock?
An extreme allergic reaction that can occur shortly after the administration of a drug to which the individual is sensitive.
What role does the FDA play in drug development?
The FDA approves new drugs and monitors existing drugs for adverse effects.
What is the difference between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)?
Complementary therapies are used alongside conventional medicine, while alternative therapies replace conventional medicine.
What should clients be advised regarding the use of herbal supplements?
Herbal supplements can have adverse effects and interact with medications; all use should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
What are adverse drug reactions?
Undesirable effects of a drug that may be mild, severe, or life-threatening.
What constitutes drug toxicity?
Harmful reactions that occur when drug concentrations exceed therapeutic levels.
What is the significance of half-life in pharmacology?
The time required for the body to eliminate 50% of a drug, which affects dosing frequency.
How can food influence drug absorption?
Food can impair or enhance the absorption of oral drugs, affecting their effectiveness.
What is the role of receptors in pharmacology?
Receptors are specific proteins on cell membranes or inside cells that drugs bind to, triggering a response.
What is the therapeutic index?
The ratio between the toxic dose and the therapeutic dose of a drug, indicating its safety margin.
What are the routes of drug administration?
Methods by which drugs are delivered, including oral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and topical.
Define the term 'bioavailability'.
The proportion of a drug that enters systemic circulation when introduced into the body and is available for action.
What is polypharmacy?
The concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, often seen in the elderly population.
What are the common side effects of medications?
Unintended effects such as nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness that can occur with drug therapy.
What is the purpose of dosage adjustment in pharmacology?
To tailor the amount of a drug to achieve optimal therapeutic effects while minimizing side effects.
What are contraindications in pharmacology?
Specific situations or conditions where a certain drug should not be used due to potential harm.
What is pharmacogenomics?
The study of how genes affect an individual's response to drugs, aiming for personalized medicine.
What role do enzymes play in drug metabolism?
Enzymes facilitate the chemical alteration of drugs in the body, affecting their effectiveness and toxicity.
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