Medication Administration and Complementary Therapies

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the Six Rights of Medication Administration, pharmacokinetic processes, dosage types, administration routes, and complementary health therapies based on the provided nursing lecture.

Right client

The nursing action of verifying the client’s identity using two client identifiers.

Right medication

The process of confirming that the name and form of the medication matches the order.

Right dose

The verification of the medication amount against the order in the medical record.

Right route of administration

The confirmation of the path by which the drug enters the body, such as IV, IM, or SC.

Right time of delivery

The confirmation of the specific time a drug is to be given and the last time it was administered.

Right documentation

The recording of the time the drug was given and any pertinent remarks in the medical record.

Right assessment

The verification that a medication is appropriate for the client’s specific condition.

Medication Reconciliation

The process of reviewing current medications and addressing omissions or duplications during transfers of care to ensure continuity.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of how a drug works, its relationship to drug concentrations, and how the body responds.

Peak plasma level

The point when a drug is at its highest concentration, which is not necessarily its most therapeutic level.

Trough serum levels

The lowest level of concentration of a medication that correlates to the rate of elimination.

Serious Adverse Drug Event (ADE)

A life-threatening reaction requiring medical intervention to prevent death, permanent disability, or congenital anomaly.

Black Box Warning (BBW)

A specific warning issued for medications that may produce lethal and iatrogenic results.

Anaphylaxis

A severe, life-threatening reaction resulting from histamine release producing dyspnea, hypotension, and tachycardia.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)

A potentially fatal drug reaction occurring $1$ to $14$ days after administration, characterized by respiratory distress, fever, chills, and a diffuse fine rash followed by blisters.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of the absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion of drugs in the human body.

Distribution

The process of drug delivery to the target organ or tissues that occurs before metabolism and excretion.

Metabolism (Biotransformation)

The process of converting a medication into a form that is easily excreted, primarily occurring in the liver.

First-pass effect

The process where oral medications pass from the small intestine to hepatic circulation, resulting in a lower concentration of the drug in systemic circulation.

Drug toxicity

A condition that develops when the body is unable to metabolize and excrete a drug.

Teratogenesis

The process by which certain medications cause fetal defects.

High-alert medications

Drugs such as insulin, heparin, and injectable potassium chloride that carry an increased risk of causing considerable harm if administered in error.

Time-critical medications

Medications that can cause harm or substandard effects if not administered within $30$ minutes of the scheduled time.

Single or one-time order

A prescription intended to be given only once for a specific reason.

STAT order

A prescription that must be given immediately in an emergency situation.

PRN order

A prescription administered as needed or when the patient requires it.

Sublingual

A route where medication is placed under the tongue to bypass the liver and enter the bloodstream directly.

Buccal

An administration route where the medication is placed between the cheek and gum.

Transdermal

A medication-containing skin patch that provides absorption through the skin for systemic effects.

Z-track method

A technique used in IM injections that creates a zig-zag path to seal the needle track and prevent medication from escaping muscle tissue.

Intradermal

An injection route used for skin testing with an insertion angle of $5^{\circ}$ to $15^{\circ}$.

Conventional Medicine

Also known as mainstream or allopathic medicine, practiced by MDs and DOs using regular courses of treatment.

Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH)

A health approach that uses nontraditional lenses combined with conventional medicine.

Holistic Nursing

A client-centered approach that considers the whole person, including mind, body, and spirit.

Biofeedback

A mind-body regulation technique using electronic devices to assist in regulating bodily functions like heart rate and breathing.

Echinacea

An herbal product used to boost immunity, which may cause side effects like headaches and dizziness.

Gingko biloba

An herb used to enhance memory that increases the risk of bleeding, especially for patients on anticoagulants.

St. John’s wort

An herbal antidepressant that can interfere with the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs.