NUR 1250 Comprehensive Pharmacology & Nursing Practice Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic pharmacokinetics, pain and analgesic classifications, antiepileptic therapy, medication administration safety, and clinical judgment frameworks.

Pharmacokinetics

What the body does to a drug, encompassing the four processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Pharmacodynamics

What a drug does to the body and its biochemical and physiological mechanisms of action.

Bioavailability

The fraction of an administered drug that reaches systemic circulation, reaching $100\,\%$ bioavailability with intravenous administration.

Half-Life

The time required for the blood concentration of a drug to decrease to $50\,\%$ of its initial value.

Onset of Action

The time required after medication administration for a patient to begin experiencing a drug's therapeutic effect.

Peak Level

The highest concentration of a drug in the patient's bloodstream following administration.

Trough Level

The lowest concentration of a drug in the patient's bloodstream, measured immediately before administering the next scheduled dose.

Therapeutic Range Index Diagram

The concentration range of plasma drug levels located between the minimal effective concentration and the toxic level over the duration of action.

Empiric Therapy

Treatment initiated with broad-spectrum coverage based on clinical probability before a specific pathogen or diagnosis is confirmed.

Prophylactic Therapy

Medication administration aimed at preventing disease or protecting against anticipated medical complications.

Teratogenic Effect

Medication-induced structural or functional harm, toxicity, or malformation to a developing fetus.

Polypharmacy

The concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, increasing the risk of adverse drug interactions and toxicity.

Malpractice

The legal determination of professional negligence where a failure to properly execute clinical duties leads to patient harm.

LARA Method

A therapeutic communication model consisting of Listen, Acknowledge/Affirm, Add, and Recommendation used to engage clients culturally and effectively.

ISBARR Tool

A structured healthcare communication method representing Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendations, and Read Back Orders.

Tanner Clinical Judgment Model

A clinical judgment model comprising four core cognitive phases: Noticing, Interpreting, Responding, and Reflecting.

Human Error Classifications

Categorization of errors into Mistakes (flawed execution giving rise to rule-based or knowledge-based errors) and Skill-based errors (activity-based errors with correct intention but flawed execution).

Breakthrough Pain

A transient flare of moderate-to-severe pain that occurs despite ongoing, regular administration of background analgesics.

Nociceptive vs. Neuropathic vs. Nociplastic Pain

Nociceptive pain involves actual or threatened non-neural tissue damage (e.g., gout), Neuropathic pain arises from direct lesions in the nervous system (e.g., MS, post-stroke), and Nociplastic pain involves altered nociception without clear tissue damage (e.g., fibromyalgia).

Naloxone Mechanism of Action

An opioid antagonist that knocks opioids free from brain receptors to rapidly reverse central nervous system and respiratory depression.

Cannabinoid Receptors (CB1 and CB2)

Target receptors for cannabis therapy; CB1 receptors are located primarily in the brain and central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are located throughout peripheral body tissues.

Seizure

A sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain, distinct from epilepsy (a chronic neurological disorder) and convulsion (the physical muscle spasm manifestation).

Flumazenil (Romazicon)

A specific benzodiazepine receptor antagonist utilized as a reversal agent for benzodiazepine overdose.

Acetylcysteine

The specific antidote administered to prevent or limit liver injury in cases of acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose.

Baclofen

A centrally acting muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasms in patients with neuromuscular diseases like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Dantrolene

A peripherally acting muscle relaxant that blocks calcium influx to relieve muscle spasticity and treat malignant hyperthermia.

Tizanidine

A centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used for muscle relaxation that is hepatotoxic and requires AST/ALT liver enzyme monitoring.

Phenytoin

An antiepileptic drug requiring diligent patient education on oral hygiene and gum care due to the risk of overgrown gums.

Carbamazepine

An antiepileptic drug indicated for trigeminal neuralgia and seizures that requires routine blood monitoring due to bone marrow suppression.

Valproic Acid Toxicity Monitoring

Laboratory evaluation requiring serum bilirubin and ammonia level testing when hepatic impairment or toxicity is suspected.

Pseudoephedrine Contraindications

Contraindicated in patients with severe hypertension or tachycardia because its stimulant mechanism worsens elevated blood pressure and heart rate.

Expectorant

A pharmacological agent that thins out respiratory mucus and promotes coughing to expel secretions.

Ipratropium Adverse Effects

Anticholinergic side effects including dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, tachycardia, and agitation.

Aspirin Toxicity Symptom

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears), alongside gastrointestinal distress, bleeding, and ulceration risks.

STAT Order

A high-priority medication order requiring immediate administration within $30\,\text{minutes}$.

ASAP Order

An urgent medication order requiring execution within $1\,\text{hour}$ of being written.

Conservator

A legal representative or court-appointed state warden assigned to make medical decisions for an incapacitated patient without a surrogate.

Renal Excretion Mechanism

Nephron processes responsible for drug clearance involving glomerular filtration, reabsorption of lipid-soluble drugs, and tubular secretion of nonlipid-soluble drugs into urine.