Medications (30)

Absorption

process by which drugs are transferred from the site of entry into the body to the bloodstream

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs)

undesirable effects other than the intended therapeutic effect of a drug

Allergic Effect

• immune system response

• the body interprets an administered drug as a foreign substance

• forms antibodies against the drug

Ampule

glass flask containing a single dose of medication for parenteral administration

Anaphylactic Reaction / Shock

• severe reaction occurring immediately after exposure to a drug

• characterized by respiratory distress and vascular collapse

Bioavailability

• portion of a drug that reaches the systemic circulation

• can act on the cells

Distribution

movement of drugs by the circulatory system to the site of action

Drug Tolerance

• when the body gets used to a drug over time

• larger doses are required to produce the desired effects

Ethnopharmacology

• studying how a person's ethnic background may affect how their body responds to medications.

• look at drug absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion

Excretion

removal of a drug from the body

Generic name

• name assigned by the manufacturer who first develops a drug

• often derived from the chemical name

Half-life

the amount of time it takes for half a dose of a drug to be eliminated from the body

Idiosyncratic Effect

• unusual, unexpected response to a drug

• may manifest an overresponse, underresponse, or response different from the expected outcome

• ex: most people become sleepy from a medication, but one person becomes unusually energetic.

Inhalation

administration of a drug in solution via the respiratory tract

Intradermal (ID) Injections

• shallow injection administered into the dermis

• has the longest absorption time

• used for sensitivity tests like TB test, allergy tests, and local anesthesia

• Angle: 5 to 15 degrees

• Needle Size: Typically 25 to 27 gauge

• Needle Length: 1/4 to 1/2 inch

Intramuscular (IM) Injections

deliver medication through the skin and subcutaneous tissues into certain muscles.

Intravenous (IV) Route

• the most dangerous route of administration

• the drug is placed directly into the bloodstream

• it cannot be recalled

• its actions cannot be slowed.

• the route used in most emergency situations when immediate onset of action is required.

• many nonemergency clinical situations in which drugs are administered intravenously.

Medication Reconciliation

• a process used by the health care team

• when the current medication orders are compared to patient report, the patient’s medical record, and prescriptions

• anything new or that may have been in place before the transition of care

Metabolism (biotransformation)

• breakdown of a drug to an inactive form

• aka: biotransformation

Parenteral

• delivering medications or nutrition directly into the body

• bypassing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract

Peak Level

highest plasma concentration of a drug

Pharmacodynamics

when drugs alter cell physiology and affect the body

Pharmacogenetics

how a patient’s genetic makeup affects their body’s response to medications

Pharmacokinetics

• movement of drug molecules in the body

• the drug’s absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion

Pharmacology

study of drugs and their effect on the body’s functioning

Pharmacotherapeutics

the medical study and clinical use of medications to prevent, treat, cure, or diagnose diseases

Piggyback Delivery Systems

• a method of administering a secondary IV medication intermittently

• through an existing, primary IV line.

Placebo

• an inactive substance or treatment

• contains no active medication

• given to a patient who believes it is a real treatment

PRN order

“as needed” order for medication

STAT order

single order carried out immediately

Subcutaneous Injections

• administered into the adipose tissue layer

• This tissue has few blood vessels

• It has a slow, sustained rate of absorption

• used for insulin and heparin.

Substance Use Disorder

a term that encompasses drug/substance abuse and substance dependence/addiction

Synergistic Effect

• when two or more medications interact to produce a combined effect

• greater than the sum of their individual effects.

Teratogenic

known to have the potential to cause developmental defects in the embryo or fetus

Therapeutic Range

• the dosage range or blood plasma concentration of a drug

• it is effective without being toxic

Topical Applications

application of a substance directly to a body surface

Toxic Effects (toxicities)

• specific groups of symptoms related to drug therapy

• carry risk for permanent damage or death

Trade (Brand) Name

• drug name selected and trademarked by the company marketing the drug

• aka: brand name or proprietary name

Trough Level

the point when a drug is at its lowest concentration

Vial

• glass bottle with self-sealing stopper through which medication is removed

• may be single or multiple dose

Z-track technique

• used to administer medications intramuscularly

• ensures that the medication does not leak back along the needle track and into the subcutaneous tissue

• reducing pain and discomfort

Side Effects

• an expected, secondary, and often unintended reaction

• happens alongside the main desired therapeutic effect

Standing Order​

• a routine order

• carried out until cancelled by another order​

Single / One-Time Order​

Given once, at a specified time​

Unit Dose Supply Method

a medication distribution system in which each individual dose of a medication is ordered, packaged, handled, and administered in a single-dose, ready-to-use container.

Intermittent Infusions

• an intravenous (IV) administration of a medication or fluid

• used for medications that need to be administered for an intermediate length of time, usually 20 to 60 minutes.

Individual Supply

a container with enough of the prescribed medication for several days or weeks and is common in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes.

Stock Supply

remains on the nursing unit for use in an emergency or so that a nurse can give a medication without delay.