Basics of Pharmacology pt. 3

What are toxic effects?

drugs at certain levels in the body can be toxic

What should be done to prevent toxic effects?

you have to start with lower doses first

What can we check to see if there are toxic effects taking place?

serum levels

What is it important to learn regarding toxic effects as a nurse?

it is important to learn the signs of toxicity and monitoring as a nurse, it is also important to educate patients on what these signs are as well

Adverse effects are the same as

side effects

Side effects are ....... and an........ .........

undesirable and an unexpected reaction

Side effects are not....

therapeutic

What are five types of side effects?

sensitivity, rebound response, primary reaction, secondary reactions, and hypersensitivity reactions

What is sensitivity?

someone can have too much of a response or can have a reaction very quickly

What is a rebound response?

ex. drug could be given for anxiety and side effect could be anxiety

What is a primary reaction?

-over exaggerated response to the med

-the therapeutic effects of the drug is exaggerated

-ex. stool softener is given and they have massive diarrhea

What is a secondary reaction?

happens in addition to the therapeutic effect

-ex. an allergy med that can make you drowsy

What is a hypersensitivity reaction?

-an exaggerated side effect reaction

-ex. stool softener makes them have diarrhea for the weak

A hypersensitivity reaction is not an .....

allergy

What is something important to remember with client education and side effects?

-a patient will stop taking a medication if they see there is a side effect

-you have to educate the patient and say that they might "experience dry mouth but keep taking it" unless it is a serious side effect, because the effect isn't serious and they need the medication

What are four types of allergic responses?

anaphylactic reactions, cytotoxic, serum sickness, and delayed reactions

What is an anaphylactic reaction?

-swollen tongue, reaction of immune system, rash, etc.

What is something to remember to ask the patient if they say that they are allergic to a medication and why?

-ask the patient what their reaction was

-this is because what they think might have been an allergy might have just been a side effect

What is a cytotoxic response?

blood cells in organs are reacting and you start seeing changes in the blood

-like WBC dropping, someone is suddenly anemic

What is serum sickness? and who is it often seen in?

-you will see intense rashes on the body and inflammation in joints

-seen a lot with people that have allergies to antibiotics

What are delayed reactions?

some people might have a delayed response where on day 5 they starting showing an allergic reaction instead of instantly

What are different kinds of tissue and organ damage? (7)

dermatological reactions, stomatitis, superinfections, bloody dyscrasia, liver injury, renal injury, and electrolyte imbalance

What is a type of dermatological reaction?

steven johnsons syndrome (skin just slides off)

What is stomatitis?

inflammation breakdown of your mucus membranes (nose, mouth, tongue, etc.)

What are superinfections?

-when you are receiving antibiotics you can develop c diff or a superinfection

-an infection on top of the original infection

What is blood dyscrasia?

any disease of blood, bone marrow, or lymph tissue

What are common electrolyte imbalances?

potassium