BASIC PHARMACOLOGIC PRINCIPLES NUR 106

Vocabulary flashcards covering key pharmacology concepts from the lecture notes, including definitions of regulatory agencies, drug naming, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, interactions, routes and forms of administration, dosing concepts, and medication management.

FDA

U.S. Food and Drug Administration; regulatory agency that helps ensure drug quality and safety.

Controlled Substances Act

Federal law regulating manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of controlled substances; requires secure storage, routine counts, and documented disposal.

Nurse Practice Acts

State laws governing nursing practice, including medication administration. (Must follow rules depending on state)

Generic name

Official nonproprietary drug name; unique for a drug (e.g., acetaminophen).

Trade name

Brand or proprietary name given by the manufacturer; may be more than one.

Chemical name

Describes a drug’s chemical structure; rarely used in clinical practice.

Six Rights of Medication Administration

Right patient, Right drug, Right dose, Right route, Right time, Right documentation; commonly expanded to include Right reason, Right to know, and Right to refuse.

Do Not Use abbreviations

List of abbreviations to avoid in orders to prevent errors.

Routes of administration

The various paths to deliver drugs (oral, IV, IM, subcutaneous, etc.).

Absorption

Movement of medication into the bloodstream from the site of administration; affected by route, form, blood flow, surface area, and lipid solubility.

Protein binding

Extent to which a drug binds to plasma proteins; affects distribution and bioavailability; low albumin increases free (unbound) drug.

Distribution

Delivery of medication from the bloodstream to tissues; influenced by physiology, protein binding, circulation, and membrane permeability.

Metabolism

Biotransformation of drugs; primarily in the liver; produces less active or inactive metabolites; impaired liver function raises toxicity risk.

Excretion

Elimination of drugs from the body; kidneys are the main organ; other sites include liver, bowels, lungs, and glands.

Onset of action

Time from drug administration to the start of its effect.

Peak level

The highest concentration of a drug in the blood after a dose.

Trough level

The lowest drug concentration in the blood before the next dose.

Therapeutic level

Drug concentration within the range that produces the desired therapeutic effect.

Biological half-life

Time required for the drug’s blood concentration to reduce by half; informs dosing interval.

Therapeutic range

Range between minimum effective concentration and minimum toxic concentration.

Therapeutic plateau

Steady-state concentration where a drug’s effect remains consistent.

Side effect

Secondary effects that accompany the therapeutic effect; may or may not outweigh benefits.

Toxic effect

Harmful drug effect; antidotes may be needed.

Idiosyncratic reaction

Unpredictable, unusual reaction to a drug.

Cumulative/Synergistic effect

Combined effect of two or more drugs is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

Allergic reaction

Immune-mediated adverse reaction; always inquire about allergies.

Anaphylactic reaction

Severe, life-threatening allergic reaction with airway constriction; medical emergency requiring immediate action.

Medication tolerance

Need for higher doses over time to achieve the same effect.

Medication dependence

Addiction; can be physical or psychological; stopping may cause harm.

Factors influencing medication actions

Physiological, environmental, psychological, or pathological factors such as genetics, age, weight, gender, pregnancy, time of administration, diet, fluid intake, route, weather, attitude, stress, setting, nurse behavior, and alcohol use.

Drug interactions

Interactions between drugs or with food or environment; can be cumulative or contraindicated.

Drug–drug interaction

Interaction between two or more drugs that may alter effect or toxicity.

Food–drug interaction

Food can alter the absorption or metabolism of a drug.

Environment–drug interaction

Environmental factors affecting drug action.

Cumulative/synergist interaction

Drug combinations with enhanced effects.

Contraindication

Condition or factor that makes a drug unsafe or inappropriate to use.

Common routes of administration

Oral, Rectal, Inhalation, Enteral, Sublingual, Buccal, Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Intravenous, Intrathecal, Intradermal, Epideral, Topical, Instillations, Drops, Implants, Inhalers.

Common medication forms

Forms determine absorption; includes Liquid, Tablet, Capsule, Powder, Aerosol, Ointment, Suppositories, Drops, IV infusions, IM injections, SQ injections, Gel, Patches, Implants, Inhalers.

Liquid

A liquid dosage form; often used for certain routes and faster absorption.

Tablet

A solid oral dosage form.

Capsule

A solid dosage form with a shell containing drug.

Powder

Fine drug form that may require reconstitution.

Aerosol

Drug delivered as a mist via inhalation.

Ointment

Topical semi-solid preparation.

Suppositories

Drugs inserted into the rectum or vagina.

Drops

Medications given as drops (eye, ear, etc.).

IV infusions

Drugs delivered intravenously via IV infusion.

IM injections

Intramuscular injections.

SQ injections

Subcutaneous injections.

ID injections

Intradermal injections.

Patches

Transdermal drug delivery patches.

Implants

Subdermal implants for drug delivery.

Inhalers

Devices delivering drugs through inhalation.

Right patient

The patient to receive the medication; verify identity.

Right drug

The correct drug as prescribed.

Right dose

The correct amount to administer.

Right route

The proper route of administration.

Right time

The correct timing for administration.

Right documentation

Recording that the medication was given.

Right reason

Justification for giving the drug.

Right to know

Patient’s right to be informed about the drug and its effects.

Right to refuse

Patient’s right to decline medication.

Medication orders

Instructions for drug administration from a prescriber.

Written order

A medication order documented in writing.

Verbal order

Spoken instruction for a drug; acceptance varies by institution.

Telephone order

Order given by phone; often used in emergencies; must be documented.

Patient’s name

Identify the patient for whom the medication is ordered.

Provider’s name and state ID number

Prescriber’s identity and professional credential.

Date

Date of the order.

Time

Time the order is issued or to be administered.

Drug name

Name of the prescribed medication.

Dosage

Amount to be given.

Route

Route of administration.

Time of administration

Scheduled time for giving the drug.

Prescriber’s signature

Signature of the authorized prescriber.

AC (before meals)

Administration before meals.

PC (after meals)

Administration after meals.

BID

Twice per day.

PRN

As needed.

Daily

Every day.

TID

Three times per day.

STAT

Give immediately.

QID

Four times per day.

Stock supplies

Standard stock used for dispensing medications.

Unit dose

Individual dose packages prepared for each patient.

Automated dispensing (PYXIS, Omnicell)

Automated systems used to dispense medications.

Self-administration

Patients may administer some of their own medications under supervision.

Therapeutic window

Dose range that produces therapeutic effects without toxicity.

Sub-therapeutic

Dose too low to achieve the desired effect.

Toxicity

Harmful drug concentration requiring monitoring or intervention.