Module 1: Foundations of Pathophysiology & Pharmacology

300 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Pathophysiology & Pharmacology I module notes.

Pathophysiology

Study of the body’s response to dysfunction or disease.

Pharmacology

Study of how drugs affect living systems and nursing implications.

ADME

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion—the four basic pharmacokinetic processes.

Absorption

Movement of a drug from its site of administration into the bloodstream.

Distribution

Transport of drugs through the bloodstream to tissues and organs.

Metabolism

Biochemical modification of a drug, usually by liver enzymes.

Excretion

Removal of drugs from the body, primarily via kidneys.

First‑Pass Effect

Oral drugs are metabolized to inactive forms in the liver before reaching systemic circulation.

Prodrug

Drug that requires metabolic activation to become active.

Bioavailability

Rate and extent to which the active ingredient is absorbed and available at the site of action.

CYP450

Cytochrome P450 family of liver enzymes that metabolize many drugs.

Inhibitor

Substance that blocks enzyme activity, increasing drug levels.

Inducer

Substance that increases enzyme activity, decreasing drug levels.

Drug Interactions

Interactions between drugs that can be pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic.

PK Interactions

Interactions that alter drug levels by changing absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion.

PD Interactions

Interactions that change drug effects without necessarily changing drug levels.

Enteral Route

Administration via GI tract (oral, sublingual, rectal).

Parenteral Route

Administration bypassing the GI tract (IV, IM, SC).

Topical Route

Application at surfaces or local sites (skin, mucosa, lungs).

Oral Administration

Drug taken by mouth; subject to GI absorption and first-pass metabolism.

Sublingual Administration

Drug placed under the tongue; rapid absorption and often bypasses first-pass metabolism.

Rectal Administration

Drug inserted into the rectum; partial bypass of first-pass metabolism.

Intravenous Administration

Delivery of drugs directly into the bloodstream; immediate effect.

Intramuscular Administration

Injection into a muscle; relatively rapid absorption.

Subcutaneous Administration

Injection into the tissue beneath the skin; slower absorption than IM.

Transdermal Patch

Systemic drug delivery via skin patches.

Ophthalmic Route

Eye drops for local/systemic effects.

Otic Route

Ear drops for local effect.

Intranasal Route

Nasal administration for rapid absorption.

Blood–Brain Barrier

Physiological barrier that limits CNS drug entry; lipid‑soluble drugs pass more easily.

Fetal–Placental Barrier

Barrier that protects fetus from many substances but is not absolute.

Prodrug Activation

Metabolic conversion required to achieve pharmacologic activity.

Volume of Distribution

Pharmacokinetic parameter describing how extensively a drug distributes in body tissues.

Plasma Protein Binding

Drug binding to plasma proteins (e.g., albumin) affecting distribution and free drug levels.

Hepatic Metabolism

Liver‑mediated chemical modification of drugs.

Hepatic First‑Pass Metabolism

Liver metabolism that limits systemic availability after oral intake.

Cytochrome P450 Isozymes

Enzyme families (e.g., CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4) that metabolize many drugs.

Inhibitors (CYP)

Substances that slow CYP enzyme activity, raising drug levels.

Inducers (CYP)

Substances that increase CYP enzyme activity, lowering drug levels.

Grapefruit‑Drug Interaction

Grapefruit compounds inhibit CYP3A4, raising levels of some drugs.

St. John’s Wort Interaction

Herbal inducer that can reduce drug effectiveness via CYP induction.

Rifampin Interaction

Inducer that can reduce drug levels through increased metabolism.

Prodrug Concept

Learning model drug to predict actions of other drugs in its class.

Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC)

Lowest concentration of a drug that produces a therapeutic effect.

Therapeutic Range

Concentration window where the drug is effective without undue toxicity.

Toxic Concentration

Drug level at which adverse effects become serious.

Peak Concentration

Highest plasma concentration after dosing.

Trough Concentration

Lowest plasma concentration before the next dose.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

Measurement of drug levels to keep dosing within a prescribed range.

Loading Dose

Higher initial dose to rapidly achieve therapeutic levels.

Maintenance Dose

Dose regimen to maintain drug levels within the therapeutic range.

5 Rights of Medication Administration

Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time.

Independent Double Check

Two qualified individuals independently verify high‑risk medications.

High‑Alert Medications

Drugs with increased risk of harm if used incorrectly (e.g., insulin, heparin, opioids, chemotherapies).

Look‑Alike / Sound‑Alike Drugs

Medications with similar names or appearances that risk confusion.

Pre‑Administration Assessment

Evaluate vitals, labs, and contraindications before giving a drug.

Hold/Clarify

Withhold or question a drug dose if parameters are unsafe.

During Administration Check

Use two identifiers and verify medication at bedside.

Post‑Administration Monitoring

Observe for effects and adverse reactions; document response.

Prototype Drug

A model drug from a pharmacologic class used to predict class effects.

Uses (Indications)

Medical conditions a drug is approved to treat.

PK/PD

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics; how the body affects the drug and vice versa.

Contraindications

Conditions in which a drug should not be used.

Adverse Effects

Unwanted or harmful effects from a drug.

Nursing Care (PD/PK)

Nursing responsibilities for monitoring drug effects and safety.

Patient Teaching

Education provided to patients about drug use and safety.

Cardioselective

Preferential effect on cardiac tissue with fewer pulmonary effects.

Pharmacologic Classification

How a drug acts mechanistically (e.g., diuretic, beta‑blocker).

Therapeutic Classification

Clinical purpose of a drug (e.g., antihypertensive).

Generic Name

Nonproprietary name assigned to a drug; standard across brands.

Trade Name

Brand or proprietary name marketed by a company.

USAN

United States Adopted Name; official generic names.

Generic vs Trade Name

Generics are non‑proprietary; trade names are brand‑level names.

Formularies

Lists of approved pharmaceutical products within a health system.

Pharmacopeia

Medical reference summarizing standards for drug purity and strength.

OTC (Over‑the‑Counter)

Medicines that can be purchased without a prescription.

Rx (Prescription Drugs)

Medications requiring licensed clinician diagnosis and prescription.

Supplements

Herbal or dietary products not FDA‑tested for safety/efficacy.

Schedule Drugs

Controlled substances with varying abuse potential (I‑V).

Adverse Drug Effects

Serious or nonserious unintended drug effects.

Carcinogenic Effects

Drug toxicity that damages DNA and can cause cancer.

Hepatotoxicity

Liver toxicity from drugs or chemicals.

Nephrotoxicity

Kidney toxicity from drugs or toxins.

Cardiotoxicity

Toxic effects on the heart (e.g., QT prolongation).

Neurotoxicity

Toxic effects on the nervous system; BBB significance.

Ototoxicity

Harm to the ear/hearing from drugs.

Teratogenicity

Birth defects caused by exposure to a drug during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Categories

A–X risk classifications for drugs in pregnancy.

TORCH Infections

Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes—teratogenic infections.

Congenital Disorders

Genetic, environmental, or combination factors causing birth defects.

Single‑Gene Disorders

Disorders caused by mutations in a single gene (e.g., Tay‑Sachs, PKU).

Mendelian Inheritance

Dominant, recessive, X‑linked patterns of inheritance.

Multifactorial Traits

Traits influenced by multiple genes and environment (e.g., BP).

Chromosomes

46 total; 22 autosomes and 1 sex pair.

Mitochondrial DNA

DNA in mitochondria; mutations affect cellular energy.

Epithelial Tissue

Lines surfaces; high turnover; vulnerable to injury.

Connective Tissue

Supports and connects body structures (bone, fat, blood).

Muscle Tissue

Contracts to produce movement (heart and skeletal).

Nervous Tissue

Transmits electrical signals (brain, spinal cord).

Cell Homeostasis

Stable internal conditions maintained by cells.