Pt care Ch. 14 - Medication Information

medications

substances prescribed for treatment that produce therapeutic effects

drugs

substances used in diagnosis, treatment, or disease prevention, or as a component of medication

generic

common name used by every company for consistent identification

• identifies its chemical family

• if a drug consists principally of one chemical, it may also be referred to by its chemical name

  • ex. acetylsalicylic acid is the chemical name for the generic drug aspirin

trade/brand name

given to the drug by its manufacturer

US Food and Drug Administration

FDA

FDA

sets the standards for control of drugs

1. efficacy

2. purity

3. potency

4. safety

5. toxicity

5 rules for the standards for drugs set by the FDA

• trade name

• generic name

• chemical composition

• chemical strength

• usual dose

• indications

• contraindications

• reported side effects

the FDA requires all drug packages include the following:

pharmacokinetics

the study of the way the body processes a drug

• includes how drugs are absorbed, distributed to reach their site of action, are metabolized, and exit the body

• age

• physical condition

• gender

• weight

• immune status

individual responses to medications can vary greatly depending on:

absorption

movement of a drug from the site of administration into systemic circulation to produce the desired effect

distribution

means by which a drug travels from the bloodstream to the target tissue and site of action

metabolism

the body transforms drugs into an inactive form that can be excreted from the body

• most occurs in the liver

excretion

elimination of drugs from the body after metabolism.

• can be thru kidneys, intestines, lungs, breast milk, or exocrine glands

pharmacodynamics

the study of effects of drugs on the normal physiological functions of the body

therapeutic effect

desired effect, predictable response, results in anticipated outcome

agonist

a drug that produces a specific action and promotes the desired result

antagonist

a drug that attaches itself to the receptor, preventing the agonist from acting

side effect

effect other than what is desired

toxic effect

poisonous, potentially lethal

idiosyncratic effect

overreaction, underreaction, unusual reaction

allergic response

characteristic response to an allergen

synergistic effect

responses to combined drugs that differ from their individual effects

antidote

drug that treats a toxic effect

antimicrobials

suppress the growth of microorganisms

antibiotics

treat wound infections and infectious diseases

anticonvulsants

used to control or prevent seizures

antiarrhythmics

used to prevent or relieve chronic cardiac arrhythmias

analgesics

relieve pain without causing a loss of consciousness

opioid/Narcotic analgesics

are the most effective analgesics, but also have potential for addiction or abuse

respiratory depression

life threatening side effect of opioids/Narcotics

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

NSAIDs

NSAIDs

• mild to moderate pain relief

• reduction of inflammation without steroids

sedatives & tranquilizers

exert a quieting effect, often inducing sleep

• not analgesics but may provide relief from pain by promoting muscle relaxation

tranquilizers

reduce anxiety and mental tension more effectively than sedatives and often provide some sedation as well

anesthetics

depress neuronal function, ability to perceive pain and/or other sensations

local anesthetic

• injected to eliminate sensation in a specific area

• local numbing effect at site of administration

general anesthetics

• used during surgical procedures for sedation

• causes loss of all body sensation, and some loss of consciousness

paralytic agents

• skeletal muscle relaxant

• artificial respiration is necessary bc all muscles are temporarily paralyzed

hypoglycemic agents

control the level of glucose in the blood

antihypertensive

reduce blood pressure

angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

• lower BP by interrupting the enzyme that stimulates the adrenal glands to produce other enzymes that increase BP

• primarily used to treat hypertension, but also to treat cardiac failure and renal disease

beta blockers

• suppress the action of the sympathetic nervous system by blocking the activity of epinephrine and norepinephrine

• used to treat several cardiac conditions (irregular heart rhythm & angina pectoris (chest pain))

antocoagulants

• inhibit the clotting mechanism of blood

• used to prevent thrombus formation prior to surgery and to prevent thrombi after MI, PE, stroke, & venous thrombosis

antidepressants

relieve or prevent depression

antiemetics

relieve or prevent nausea and vomiting

bronchodilators

dilate smooth muscle, used to treat asthma, COPD, and some allergic reactions. Opens the airways to improve respiration

cathartic/laxative

stimulate peristalsis; promote defecation

diuretics

stimulate the flow of urine; reduce blood volume through urinary excretion of water to treat hypertension

antidiuretic

suppress urine formation

vasodilators

relax the walls of blood vessels, permitting a greater flow of blood

vasoconstrictor

cause blood vessels to constrict, increasing heart action & raising BP

corticosteroids

used to reduce symptoms associated with chronic inflammatory disorders or for the short-term treatment of acute inflammatory conditions

anticholinergics

• reduce smooth muscle tone, motility of GI tract, and secretions from the resp. tract and secretory glands

• treat over-active bladder

hormones

drugs that affect the endocrine system

antihistamine

relieve allergy symptoms, reduce allergic response