Chapter 2, 3, & 4 Notes

Flashcards covering factors influencing drug therapy, special considerations for pediatric and geriatric patients, the nursing process in pharmacology, and patient education.

Which age groups tend to be more sensitive to the effects of medications?

Infants and geriatric patients.

How does increased body weight typically influence medication dosage?

It may require more medication.

What is a key consideration when prescribing medication for patients with fluctuating weight?

Ideal body weight can be crucial as opposed to actual body weight.

How does a higher metabolic rate affect medication dosage needs?

It typically correlates with the need for more medication.

How does the placebo effect influence a patient's response to therapy?

A patient's belief about a medication can impact its actual effect.

What is a key difference between tolerance and dependence in medication use?

Dependence can be considered an addiction, involving a habitual, uncontrollable desire for the medication due to how it feels.

What is the cumulative effect of a drug?

It occurs when a drug accumulates in the body because the next dose is administered before the previous dose has been metabolized.

What is a key consideration for IM injections in neonates and older adults?

IM medications are often erratically absorbed due to muscle mass, blood flow, and inactivity.

How does the skin of infants affect the absorption of topical medications?

Infants' skin is not fully developed and is more hydrated, potentially impacting absorption.

How might decreased cardiac output affect medication absorption?

It decreases blood flow to an area, thereby reducing tissue perfusion and absorption.

What factors contribute to differences in GI absorption across the lifespan?

Gastric pH, gastric emptying time, enzymatic activity, and blood flow across the intestinal lining.

What are some factors that place older adults at risk regarding medication?

Reduced renal and hepatic functions, polypharmacy, and malnutrition.

What are some considerations related to body water content regarding drug distribution?

Infants have a much higher volume of water. With age, total body water content decreases, and fat increases.

Why must highly fat-soluble medications be given in smaller doses to low-birth-weight babies?

To reduce toxicity b/c there is less fat there to bind.

Why should aspirin never be administered to children?

Due to the risk of Reye syndrome, which can cause swelling of the brain and fatty deposits in the liver.

What should be monitored for with children frequently using antibiotics?

Allergic reactions; allergic reactions can happen pretty rapidly and we're seeing this most frequently in antibiotic use.

What should be included when obtaining a thorough drug history and nutritional assessment from geriatric patients?

All medications, including non-prescription medications and herbal remedies.

What is the process for discontinuing medication for elderly people?

Sometimes we'll gradually taper down dosages when we are discontinuing medications, especially for our elderly people.

What are some things patients can use to avoid confusion when managing multiple medications?

Calendars or pill boxes.

What are some key components of the nursing process?

Assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, nursing interventions, and evaluation.

What is the aim of obtaining a good drug history from a patient?

To evaluate their current and past use of any over-the-counter medications and also to help you to identify any sort of problems that this patient may be having that's related to the drug therapy.

What are some reliable sources of patient information?

Primary source (patient), secondary sources (significant others, relatives, medical records), and tertiary sources (literature to provide background information like your diagnostic tests).

How can you differentiate a nursing diagnosis from a actual or medical diagnosis?

A medical diagnosis is confirmed by a physician, where the nursing diagnosis is confirmed by the nurse based on assessment.

What is important when setting priorities and patient care?

Help patients meet their hierarchy of needs.

What is a 'SMART' goal?

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timeframes.

When preparing prescribed medications, what supplies are needed?

The correct supplies, such as the needed medication cap, or syringe to administer the drug.

How does the cognitive domain involve in one's learning?

The cognitive part involves learning and storing knowledge. This is kinda like your memory bank.

How does the affective domain influence one's learning?

The affective domain involves feelings, needs, values, opinions. (The patient understands the value of managing their blood sugar because of the impact that it's gonna have on their organs.)

How does the psychomotor domain involve in one's learning?

The doing domain. It involves actually learning new skills.

How can you increase the chances of someone understanding information that you are teaching?

Want to start with answering the patient's questions first so that they are focused on what you are saying instead of wondering about the questions that they want you to answer.

What must a nurse understand when considering the literacy level of a patient?

Consider your patient's educational level because if your patient only completed the third grade, but also take into consideration their health literacy level as well, you know, as well as other things that you need to be considering.

What value should be given when trying to increase a patient's compliance?

Attach value to whatever it is that they are learning that you're trying to teach them.

If a patient was recently diagnosed with a terminal disease, how should a provider handle the teaching process?

Then they probably aren't very ready to learn about whatever you wanna try to teach them, right? So you also need to assess what your patient already knows before you start teaching, because we don't want them to be terribly bored.

What is the primary importance of a nurse when it involves the education of the patient?

Education is always the nurse's responsibility and it needs to be directed at the patient's needs.

How does a discharge teaching summary benefit the patient?

States the patient's needs were met or unmet. It states what are their further needs they have, their goals, what are their teaching needs, all that great valuable information. It's also going to include possible referrals, things that they need to continue to monitor.