Introduction to Drugs (Chapters 1-5) – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key pharmacology concepts from Chapters 1–5, including drug sources, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, ADRs, nursing roles, and regulatory guidelines.

Pharmacology

The study of the biological effects of chemicals.

Drugs

Chemicals introduced into the body to cause changes.

Pharmacotherapeutics

Clinical pharmacology; nursing focus on how drugs are used to treat disease.

Therapeutic effects

Beneficial or desired effects of a drug.

Adverse effects

Undesirable or potentially dangerous drug effects.

Nurse’s responsibilities (pharmacology)

Administer drugs, assess effects, intervene to improve tolerance, educate patients, and monitor to prevent errors.

Natural sources of drugs

Drugs derived from plants.

Animal sources of drugs

Drugs derived from animal tissues or organisms.

Inorganic compounds (drug sources)

Therapeutic drugs that are salts or inorganic substances.

Synthetic sources (drug development)

Drugs produced synthetically or via genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering (as a drug source)

Modifying organisms to produce therapeutic chemicals; many are now made synthetically.

Preclinical trials

Chemicals tested on laboratory animals before humans.

Phase I studies

Drugs tested on healthy human volunteers.

Phase II studies

Drugs tested on informed patients with the disease.

Phase III studies

Drugs used in a large clinical market to confirm safety and efficacy.

Phase IV studies

Continual post-approval evaluation of a drug.

FDA Pregnancy Category A

Adequate studies in pregnant women show no risk in the first trimester and no evidence of risk later.

FDA Pregnancy Category B

Animal studies show no risk or lack adequate human studies; risk in humans not established.

FDA Pregnancy Category C

Animal studies show adverse effects; there are no adequate human studies.

FDA Pregnancy Category D

Evidence of human fetal risk; benefits may outweigh risks.

FDA Pregnancy Category X

Fetal risk demonstrated; risks clearly outweigh benefits.

Controlled Substances Act (1970)

Federal law regulating drug codes, enforcement by FDA/DEA, and strict control of prescription and distribution.

High abuse potential

Drugs with a high potential for abuse and dependence.

Generic drugs

Drugs produced by companies that manufacture chemical entities rather than brand-name products; bioavailability varies by formulation.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs

Medications available without prescription for self-treatment.

OTC safety considerations

OTC use can mask disease, cause interactions, or lead to overdose if misused.

Drug information sources (labels and inserts)

Labels identify the drug; package inserts contain regulatory and study data from the manufacturer.

Drug label

Contains essential information identifying a drug and how to use it.

Package insert

Manufacturer-provided document with chemical data and approval studies; often difficult to read.

Reference books for drugs

PDR, Drug Facts and Comparisons, AMA Drug Evaluations, Lippincott’s Nursing Drug Guide.

Bioavailability

The extent and rate at which a drug reaches systemic circulation.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes a drug (ADME).

Critical concentration

The drug amount needed to produce a therapeutic effect.

Loading dose

A higher initial dose to rapidly achieve therapeutic levels.

Dynamic equilibrium (drug concentration at site)

The actual concentration of a drug at the site of action once distribution and elimination balance.

Absorption

Movement of a drug from administration into circulating fluids/tissues.

Distribution

Delivery of a drug from the bloodstream to body tissues; influenced by lipid solubility and protein binding.

Biotransformation (metabolism)

Liver-focused metabolism; breaks down drugs and may create inactive or active metabolites; first-pass effect.

Excretion

Removal of drugs from the body, primarily via the kidneys.

Half-life

Time required for the drug amount in the body to decrease by half; influenced by ADME.

Factors influencing drug effects

Weight, age, gender, physiology, pathology, food, genetics, immune status, psychology, environment, drug tolerance, interactions.

Adverse drug reaction (ADR)

Undesired, potentially dangerous effects of a drug.

Primary actions (ADR)

Overdose or extension of the desired effect.

Secondary actions (ADR)

Undesired effects accompanying the pharmacologic effect.

Hypersensitivity reactions

Excessive immune responses to a drug.

Superinfections

Infections caused by destruction of normal flora due to drug therapy.

Blood dyscrasia

Bone marrow suppression leading to fever, chills, and weakness.

Dermatological reactions

Skin-related adverse effects such as rash or stomatitis.

Teratogenicity

Drug-induced harm to the developing fetus or embryo.

Nursing process

Assessment, Nursing Diagnosis, Planning/Implementation, Evaluation.

Patient and family education

Education as the cornerstone of drug therapy; nurses educate patients and families.

Drug advertising (FDA)

Ads must disclose indications, contraindications, adverse effects, and precautions.

Internet drug information

Online sources include pharmaceutical sites, forums, online pharmacies, government regulations, and research reports.

Off-label medications

Use of a drug for an indication not FDA-approved.

Alternative therapies/herbal medicine

Non-FDA-tested active ingredients; potential drug interactions; often unregulated.

FDA regulation of supplements

Herbal products are often dietary supplements with less regulation.