Medication Administration and Pharmacology Flashcards

Flashcards about medication administration, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug naming, and pharmacology including herbs-drug interactions.

Importance of Research in Medication Administration

Ensuring safety and efficacy by understanding drug indications, contraindications, and potential side effects.

Action if a nurse notices an error on a medication order

Immediately notify the prescribing physician and document according to facility protocols.

The 10 Rights of Medication Administration

Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, right reason, right response, right to refuse, and right education.

Legal Responsibilities of LPNs in Medication Administration

Adhere to legal standards, understand medications, maintain accurate records, and report discrepancies.

Where are Narcotics stored?

Secure locations, often in locked cabinets.

What is a narcotics sheet?

A record used to track the administration and disposal of narcotics.

What are Schedule I, II, and III medications?

Classifications based on potential for abuse and medical use.

What is Pharmacokinetics?

The body's effect on a drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).

What is Pharmacodynamics?

The drug's effect on the body, including the mechanism of action.

Fastest to slowest routes of medication absorption

IV, inhalation, IM, and SC.

Factors affecting medication absorption

Route of administration, drug formulation, and presence of food in the stomach.

Factors influencing drug distribution

Blood flow, tissue permeability, and protein binding.

Effect of low serum albumin levels on highly protein-bound drugs

Increased drug concentration, raising the risk of toxicity.

Where are most drugs metabolized?

Liver

Factors affecting drug metabolism

Age, liver function, and genetic variations.

How are Medications primarily eliminated?

Kidneys

Crucial terms for understanding drug action and timing

Onset, peak, and half-life.

Additive Effect

Two drugs with similar actions are combined

Synergistic Effect

Combined effect is greater than the sum of individual effects.

What must be monitored to ensure patient safety?

Adverse effects, idiosyncratic effects, and allergic reactions.

What is the generic name of a drug?

The chemical name of the drug.

What is the brand name of a drug?

The trademarked name under which the drug is sold.

Chemical class of a drug

Structure of the drug.

Therapeutic class of a drug

The drug's intended use.

What does the nursing process involve in relation to medication administration?

Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Reliable sources for nurses to research drug information

Pharmacology textbooks and peer-reviewed journals.

Critical concepts in pharmacology that require careful monitoring

Medication abuse, misuse, addiction, tolerance, and dependency.

What is psychological dependency?

Emotional reliance on a drug.

What is physical dependency?

Physiological adaptation to the drug.

Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)

Can accumulate in the body and become toxic if taken in excess.

Water-soluble vitamins (B-complex, C)

Excreted more easily.

Vitamin K

Essential for blood clotting.

Vitamin B12

Crucial for red blood cell formation.

Side effects of alkylating agents

Nausea, vomiting, and bone marrow suppression.

Cells that replicate quickly, determining side effects of chemotherapy

GI tract, hair, skin.

Teaching considerations for patients receiving chemotherapy

Managing side effects and understanding the treatment process.

What are Biological modifiers?

Agents that enhance the body's immune response against cancer cells.

Hormone antagonists

Block the effects of hormones that promote cancer growth.

Risk factors for cancer

Genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and diet.

Benefit of regular screenings for cancer

Early detection improves treatment outcomes.

Adrenergic agonists

Stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Common side effects of adrenergic agonists

Anxiety, tremors, and palpitations.

Cholinergic medications

Mimic acetylcholine.

Anticholinergics

Block acetylcholine and may be used to treat bradycardia or to reduce secretions during surgery.

Common side effects of anticholinergic medications

Dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention.

Main neurotransmitter for the sympathetic nervous system

Norepinephrine

Predominant neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic system

Acetylcholine

Herbs that interact with WARFARIN

Feverfew, flaxseed, garlic, ginger, ginseng, green tea, soy, St. John's wort

Herbs that interact with INSULIN

Flaxseed, garlic, ginseng

Herbs that interact with DIGOXIN

Ginseng