Module 1 Flashcards: Pathophysiology & Pharmacology I (NURS 317) - Vocabulary (Batch 1 of 5)

100 vocabulary-style flashcards. This is Batch 1. A total of 5 batches will be provided to reach 500 cards.

Pathophysiology

The study of how diseases alter normal body function.

Pharmacology

The science of how drugs affect living systems and nursing care.

ADME

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion—the four stages of a drug’s journey in the body.

Absorption

Movement of a drug from the site of administration into the bloodstream.

Distribution

Transport of a drug through the bloodstream to tissues and organs.

Metabolism

Biochemical modification of a drug, usually by the liver, to aid elimination.

Excretion

Removal of drugs from the body, primarily via the kidneys.

First-pass effect

Oral drugs are metabolized in the liver before reaching systemic circulation, reducing active drug.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450)

Family of liver enzymes that metabolize many drugs.

Substrate (CYP)

A drug that is metabolized by a specific CYP enzyme.

Inhibitor (CYP)

A substance that decreases CYP enzyme activity, increasing drug levels.

Inducer (CYP)

A substance that increases CYP enzyme activity, lowering drug levels.

Prodrug

An inactive or less active compound that must be metabolically activated.

Bioavailability

Rate and extent to which a drug’s active ingredient reaches its site of action.

Hepatic metabolism

Metabolism of drugs by liver enzymes.

Liver enzymes

Enzymes in the liver that catalyze drug metabolism (e.g., CYPs).

Prodrug activation

Metabolic conversion of a prodrug to its active form.

Blood-brain barrier

Selective barrier that limits passage of substances into the brain.

Fetal-placental barrier

Barrier that regulates transfer of substances from mother to fetus.

Volume of distribution

Theoretical volume indicating how a drug distributes in the body.

Plasma protein binding

Extent to which a drug binds to plasma proteins, affecting distribution.

Albumin

Major plasma protein that binds many drugs, influencing distribution.

Route of administration

Path by which a drug is taken into the body.

Enteral

Route via the GI tract (oral, sublingual, rectal).

Parenteral

Route bypassing the GI tract (injections, IV, IM, SC).

Topical

Route applied to surfaces for local or systemic effects.

Transdermal

Topical route delivering drug through the skin into systemic circulation.

Intradermal

Injection into the dermis layer of the skin.

Subcutaneous

Injection into subcutaneous tissue.

Intramuscular

Injection into muscle tissue.

Intravenous

Injection directly into a vein for rapid effect.

Sublingual

Drug absorbed under the tongue for rapid absorption.

Oral

Route via mouth; typically slower absorption.

Rectal

Route via the rectum; absorption can bypass some first-pass.

Buccal

Route via the cheek mucosa; absorption can bypass first-pass.

ODT (orally disintegrating tablet)

Tablet that dissolves on the tongue for quick action.

Extended-release (XR/SR/ER)

Formulations that release drug over an extended period.

Enteric-coated

Coating that resists stomach acid; dissolves in the intestine.

Liquid formulations

Elixirs, syrups, suspensions used to improve palatability or absorption.

First-pass hepatic metabolism

Liver metabolism of an oral drug before it reaches systemic circulation.

Loading dose

Initial higher dose to rapidly achieve therapeutic concentration.

Maintenance dose

Regular dose to keep drug concentration within the therapeutic range.

Peak concentration

Highest drug concentration in plasma after dosing.

Trough concentration

Lowest drug concentration before the next dose.

Minimum effective concentration (MEC)

Smallest plasma concentration needed to produce a therapeutic effect.

Therapeutic range

Plasma concentration range where drug is effective with acceptable toxicity.

Toxic concentration

Concentration at which adverse effects become significant.

Therapeutic index (TI)

Safety index comparing toxic dose to therapeutic dose.

Margin of safety

Alternative term for TI; wider margin indicates safer drug.

Potency

Amount of drug needed to produce a given effect; more potency means less drug needed.

Efficacy

Maximum effect a drug can produce, independent of dose.

Therapeutic window

Range between MEC and toxic concentration where therapy is effective and safe.

Receptor

Cellular target (protein) that a drug binds to to trigger a response.

Drug–Receptor interaction

Binding of a drug to its receptor to initiate signaling.

Agonist

Drug that binds and activates a receptor to produce a response.

Antagonist

Drug that binds but does not activate receptor, blocking effect.

Partial agonist

Binds and activates receptors but yields a weaker response.

Full agonist

Produces maximum receptor response.

Intrinsic activity

Degree to which a drug activates a receptor after binding.

Receptor binding

Process of a drug attaching to its receptor.

Dose–response relationship

Relation between drug dose and the magnitude of effect.

Interpatient variability

Different patients respond to drugs differently.

Therapeutic index (TI) vs Margin of safety

TI compares toxic to therapeutic dose; MOS is another safety measure.

Potency vs Efficacy

Potency is dose needed for effect; efficacy is maximum effect achievable.

Receptor theory

Drugs interact with receptors to produce effects via signaling pathways.

Agonists and Antagonists

Agonists activate receptors; antagonists block activation.

Full agonist (example)

Drug that fully activates its receptor (e.g., certain receptor agonists).

Partial agonist (example)

Drug that produces a partial response even at full receptor occupancy.

Functional antagonism

Opposition to a drug’s effect via a mechanism not involving receptor blockade.

Intrinsic activity concept

High intrinsic activity yields strong effect; antagonists have little to none.

Pharmacodynamics (PD)

What the drug does to the body; mechanisms of action and effects.

Pharmacokinetics (PK)

What the body does to the drug; absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion.

Prototype drug

Model drug used to represent a pharmacologic class.

Prototype drug example

Metoprolol used as a prototype for beta-blockers.

Mechanism of action (MOA)

Biochemical mechanism by which a drug produces its effect.

Therapeutic classification

Clinical purpose of a drug (e.g., diuretic, anti-hypertensive).

Pharmacologic classification

Mechanistic classification (e.g., loop diuretic, beta-blocker).

Generic name

Nonproprietary official drug name.

Trade name

Brand name chosen by the manufacturer.

OTC

Over-the-counter; no prescription required.

Rx (Prescription)

Drug requiring clinician authorization.

Supplements

Herbal or dietary products not FDA-tested for safety/efficacy.

Adverse drug effects

Unwanted effects; can be mild or serious.

Drug allergy

Immune-mediated hypersensitivity to a drug.

Drug interactions

Interactions between drugs, foods, or herbs affecting effects.

Drug–Drug interaction

Two drugs alter each other’s effects or levels.

Drug–Food interaction

Food affects drug absorption, distribution, or metabolism.

Drug–Herb interaction

Herbal products affect drug action or safety.

5 Rights of Safe Administration

Right patient, drug, dose, route, and time to prevent errors.

Independent double check

Safety step where a second clinician verifies high-risk meds.

Look-alikes/sound-alikes

Drugs with similar names that can cause mix-ups.

Pre-Administration assessment

Check vital signs and labs before giving a drug.

During administration safety

Use two identifiers; verify at bedside; ensure asepsis.

Post-Administration monitoring

Observe effects and adverse reactions; document.

Prototype drug safety nursing care

Monitor patient condition before and after administration; educate.

Loading dose nursing concept

Administer a higher dose to achieve rapid therapeutic level.

Maintenance dose nursing concept

Dose designed to keep the drug within the therapeutic range.

Prototype METOPROLOL

Beta-1 selective blocker used as a teaching example for cardioselective agents.

Beta-1 selective blocker

Blocker primarily affecting heart rate and contractility with fewer bronchial effects.

Cardioselective

Drugs that preferentially affect the heart (beta-1) with less bronchial impact.