study guide pharmacology

Which of the following statements correctly describes the difference between Schedule I and Schedule II drugs under DEA classification?

Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use, while Schedule II drugs have accepted medical use but high abuse potential. (Opioids)

What are Ace inhibitors and what to look out for?

Meds with (-pril) … monitor BP, serum K+, bun/creatinine, sign os swelling, cough

What are beta blockers and what to look out for?

Meds with (-olol) never stop abruptly, taper off to avoid rebound of hypertension/tachycardia/angina

What is Digoxin and what to look out for?

Cardiac glycoside, and hold and notify provider if pulse <60 bpm. Narrow therapeutic index

What is Furosemide? And what to look our for?

Loop diuretic: causes hypokalemia, when combined with digoxin causes low K+ which increases digoxins toxicity risk

What is THS LOW?

Too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroid or levothyroxine overdose)

What is TSH HIGH?

Too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroid)

What is GLP-1 agonists meds and what to look out for?

Semaglutide/Ozempic: mimic incretin, reduce appetite, low hypoglycemia risk when used alone

What are Corticosteroids and what to look out for?

Prednisone: never stop abruptly- taper off to prevent adrenal crisis

PO =

By mouth, oral

PRN =

As needed

STAT =

Immediately

Standing =

Routine scheduled

TID =

Three times a day

BID =

Twice/daily

Where does Digoxin come from?

Plants - foxglove

What is an example of a drug that comes from an animal? Pig

Insulin

What is an example of a drug that comes from microorganisms? (Mold)

Penicillin

Where are synthetic drugs made from ?

Labs

What type of drug name is nonproprietary?

Generic name

What type of drug name is trademarked ?

Brand name

What are the six rights of medication administration?

Right patient, drug, dose , route, time, documentation

Which 2 things aren’t part of the six rights?

Right prescriber and right diagnosis

How many times do you check medication?

3 times

What is the first medication check preformed?

When taking it from the shelf

When is the second medication check preformed?

Before drawing/pouring

When is the third medication check preformed?

After drawing/pouring

What are LASA drugs and what does LASA stand for?

Look Alike/ Sound Alike drugs

How should LASA drugs be stored and handled carefully?

Separately with clear labels and to prevent errors

What’s are the various stages that medication errors can occur?

Ordering , Transcribing, Dispensing, Administering, and Monitoring

What are high alert medications?

Medications that require special attention due to their potential for significant harm if miss used

What are some examples of high alert medication ?

Insulin , heparin

What factor related to acidity affects drug absorption?

Stomach pH

What movement of the GI tract affects absorption?

Gastrointestinal mobility

What patient-related factor affects absorption?

Age

What chemical property affects drug absorption?

Lipid solubility

What formulation factor affects drug absorption?

Drug formulation

Should enteric-coated tablets be crushed?

No

Why are enteric-coated drugs used?

To protect drug from stomach acid delaying it until the tablet reaches the higher pH of the small intestine

Where are sublingual medications placed?

Under the tongue

What does sublingual medications bypass?

First pass metabolism

What enzyme do proton pump inhibitors block?

H+/K+ ATPase

What do PPIs reduce in the stomach?

Acid production

How do PPIs compare to antacids in duration?

PPIs are longer lasting

What is the difference between PPIs and Antacids

PPIs reduce acid production, while antacids neutralize existing acid

What is the difference between anticoagulants and thrombolytics?

Anticoagulants prevent clots from forming, thrombolytics break down existing clots

A complete prescription must include…..

Patient name, Date, Drug Name, Dose, Frequency, And prescriber signature, including DEA number for controlled substance

How many milligrams are in one grams?

1,000 mg

How are parenteral medications administered?

By injection

What do you do when reconsititutioning a medicine?

Swirl gently

Why is the ventrogluteal sight used for intramuscular injections?

it avoids major nerves and blood vessels

How much medication can the deltoid muscle safely hold for an injection?

Up to 1mL

Why are filter needles used with ampules?

To prevent glass particles from entering the syringe

What system do parenteral medications bypass?

Gastrointestinal tract

What is the speed of onset injections compared to oral meds?

Faster

Why is air injected into medication vial before withdrawing medication?

To prevent a vacuum and make it easier to remove the medication

What are the parts of the needle?

Barrel, plunger, flange, tip and needle, hub, shaft, bevel, lumen,

What what is the difference between the higher and lower number needle gauge?

The lower the number the thicker the needle, and the higher number the thinner the needle

What is the angle for (ID) intradermal injections?

5-15

What is the angle for subcutaneous injections?(SUBQ)

45-90

What is the angle for (IM) for intramuscular injections?

90

For ID injections how much is the mL is allowed to inject ?

0.01-0.1 mL

What type of pathogen is a single celled organism?

Bacteria- single cells that reproduce independently

What type of pathogen requires a host cell?

Virus- require host cells

What pathogen includes malaria?

Parasite

What are the four main types of pathogens?

Bacteria, Virus, parasite, fungi

What do antibiotics target?

Bacteria structures, cell walls and ribosomes

Are antibiotics effective against viruses?

No, viruses needs antivirals

What type of immunity is non-specific?

Innate immunity; skin , phagocytes, inflammation

What type of immunity involves memory cells?

Adaptive immunity- (ex Vaccines)antibodies triggered by vaccines

What happens to blood vessels during anaphylaxis?

Vasodilation- Hypotension

What breathing issue occurs in anaphylaxis?

Bronchospasm

What is the first line treatment for anaphylaxis?

Epinephrine- reverses bronchospasm and raises blood pressure

Where are antiseptics used?

Living tissue

Where are disinfectants used?

Non-living surfaces

What type of insulin appears cloudy?

NPH insulin

What are the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis?

Hives, wheezing, swelling, and hypotension

What rule is used for hypoglycemia?

15g of fast acting carbs and recheck glucose in 15 min, the 15-15 rule

What symptoms are signs of digoxin toxicity?

Nausea/ vomiting, yellow-green visual hallow, bradycardia, extreme fatigue

If patient develops dry cough what other medication is used when switched?

ARBS- sartan

What is used to reverse opioid overdose?

Naloxone (narcan)

What vitamin affects warfarin effectiveness?

Vitamin K

What medication do you hold for 48 hours when getting CT scanned with contrast dye?

Metformin

What serious condition can occur when mixed contrast dye and metformin?

Lactic acidosis

What characteristic of mycobacterium tuberculosis makes antibiotic penetration difficult?

It has a waxy, lipid-rich cell wall that resists antibiotic penetration, and slow growth rate, drug resistance

What happens because Mycobacterium tuberculosis can remain dormant in body tissues?

It can cause latent TB, complicating diagnosis and treatment. More contagious

Why does the TB bacterium’s ability to develop resistance require prolonged therapy?

Because it can become resistant to multiple antibiotics, requiring long treatment courses

What is the maximum daily dosage of acetaminophen?

4,000 mg per day

What risk increases with alcohol consumption when taking acetaminophen?

Hepatotoxicity (liver damage)

In what conditions are NSAIDs contraindicated/should not be used?

Renal disease and active GI ulcers, can cause adverse affects in patients on anticoagulants

What adverse effects can NSAIDs cause in patients taking anticoagulants?

Increased risk of bleeding

What symptoms should be monitored in patients taking opioids?

Respiratory depression and constipation

What should be monitored in patients taking ACE inhibitors?

Blood pressure, potassium levels, kidney function, and signs of angioedema, especially a persistent cough

What must be done when stoping beta-blockers?

They must be tapered gradually to avoid rebound effects

What are the characteristics of NPH insulin compared to other insulin types?

NPH is cloudy , rapid and long-acting insulins are clear

What does a TSH level of 0.04 mIU/L indicate?

Hyperthyroidism or excessive levothyroxine dosage

Levothyroxine should be taken on a empty stomach how many minutes before breakfast?

30 minutes

What should the apical heart rate be before giving digoxin?

At least 60 BPM

What electrolyte imbalance does furosemide cause?

Hypokalemia, potassium levels must be monitored regularly

Why does hypokalemia increase digoxin toxicity risk?

It enhances digoxin binding to cardiac cells.