quiz 1 review

Medication and Breastfeeding Guidelines

Meds can pass into breast milk; nurses should teach moms to take meds after breastfeeding, choose safe medications, and monitor for unusual signs in babies.

Half-life of a medication

The time it takes for half of the drug to leave the body.

Calculation of Half-life Example

If 100mg is given and the half-life is 4 hours, 50mg will remain after 4 hours.

Sublingual Administration

Medication goes under the tongue and is absorbed quickly into the blood.

Buccal Administration

Medication goes between the cheek and gum and is absorbed slower than sublingual administration.

First-pass effect

The phenomenon whereby the concentration of a drug is greatly reduced before it reaches systemic circulation; avoided by sublingual and buccal routes.

Therapeutic range

The safe and effective level of a drug in the blood.

Drug monitoring

Checking blood levels to ensure the drug is working effectively without being toxic.

Synergism

A drug interaction where two drugs work better together, resulting in a greater effect (1+1 = 3).

Additive effect

A drug interaction where two drugs simply add their effects together (1+1 = 2).

Displacement in drug interactions

When one drug displaces another drug from a protein, changing its effects.

Antagonism

A drug interaction where one drug blocks the effect of another drug.

Older adults and medication absorption

Older adults experience slower absorption, less blood flow, slower liver and kidney functions, and higher sensitivity to drugs.

Idiosyncratic drug reaction

An unusual or unexpected reaction to a drug, which can be genetic or random.

Drug excretion

Mainly occurs through the kidneys (urine) but also through liver (bile), lungs, sweat, and breast milk.

Pharmacodynamics

What the drug does to the body and how it works at receptor sites.

Generic drugs

Medications that have the same active ingredient as brand name drugs and are typically cheaper.

Brand name drugs

The original version of a drug created by the manufacturer, often more expensive and may contain different fillers.

Routes of medication administration

Different methods include oral, intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), and subcutaneous (SubQ), with varying absorption rates.

Phase 1 Clinical Trial

Tests safety on a small group of healthy individuals.

Phase 2 Clinical Trial

Tests effectiveness on a small group of individuals with the disease.

Phase 3 Clinical Trial

Tests a large group and compares results with other treatments.

Phase 4 Clinical Trial

Monitors long-term effects after the drug has received approval.

Factors affecting drug absorption

Include food, blood flow, stomach acidity, and other medications taken simultaneously.

Pharmacokinetics

What the body does to the drug, including liberation, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Drug interaction

Occurs when one drug affects how another drug works, potentially making it stronger, weaker, or toxic.

Teratogen

A drug that can harm a developing baby and cause birth defects, e.g., thalidomide, isotretinoin.

Drug metabolism organs

Primarily the liver, but also includes kidneys, lungs, and intestines.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs)

Harmful and unexpected side effects of medications, most common among elderly, babies, and those on polypharmacy.

Agonist

A substance that activates a receptor and produces a biological response.

Antagonist

A substance that blocks a receptor and prevents a biological response.