NUR 1290: Basic Concepts and Pharmacology Principles

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering basic nursing process phases, pharmacokinetics, medication administration safety, and drug categories based on lecture notes.

Nursing Process Phase I: Assessment

The data collection phase involving drug data, patient data, and the prescription or medication order.

Nursing Process Phase 2: Diagnosis

Identifying problems pertaining to drug therapy, such as Knowledge Deficit, Risk for Injury, or Noncompliance.

Nursing Process Phase 3: Planning

Identifying expected outcomes that are measurable, objective, and realistic for the patient.

Nursing Process Phase 4: Implementation

The “Doing” or intervening phase, which includes the 9 Rights of Medication Administration.

Nursing Process Phase 5: Evaluation

Monitoring the effectiveness of drug therapy to see if outcomes were met and the patient is responding.

Chemical Name

Complex terminology describing the chemical structure of a drug.

Generic Name

The universally accepted and less complicated terminology for a drug; the most commonly used name.

Trade Name

The name assigned by the company marketing the drug.

Pharmaceutical Phase

The phase involving the disintegration of the dosage form and dissolution of the drug in the body.

Pharmacokinetic Phase

The study of drug movement through the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Pharmacodynamic Phase

The study of the biochemical and physiologic interactions of drugs at their sites of activity (drug-receptor interaction).

Absorption

The movement of a drug from its site of administration into the bloodstream.

First Pass Effect

The breakdown of a drug by the liver before it reaches the systemic circulation.

Distribution

The transport of a drug by the bloodstream to its site of action.

Metabolism

The biochemical alteration of a drug into an inactive metabolite, or a more/less potent active metabolite, occurring primarily in the liver.

Cytochrome P-450 Enzymes

Enzymes that aid in liver metabolism of fat-soluble drugs; influenced by enzyme inhibitors and inducers.

Excretion

The elimination of drugs from the body, primarily through the kidneys.

Half-Life

The time it takes for one half of a drug to be removed from the body; it usually takes five half-lives for total removal.

Onset of Action

The time it takes for a drug to elicit a therapeutic response.

Peak Level

The highest concentration of a drug in the blood.

Trough Level

The lowest concentration of a drug in the blood.

Agonist

A drug type that binds to a receptor and elicits a response.

Antagonist

A drug that binds to a receptor but produces no response and prevents the binding of agonists.

Acute Therapy

Intensive treatment given to patients with a quick onset of illness.

Palliative Therapy

Drug therapy intended to provide comfort from symptoms rather than a cure.

Empiric Therapy

Treating or preventing the probability of an illness based on symptoms before specific data is available.

Synergistic Effect

A drug interaction where the combined effect is greater than the sum of each drug taken alone ($1 + 1 > 2$).

Incompatibility

Occurs when two combined IV solutions cause a precipitate and deterioration of the drugs.

Idiosyncratic Reaction

An unexpected drug reaction caused by an individual's unique genetic makeup.

Teratogenic Effects

Drug effects that cause structural defects in a fetus.

Polypharmacy

The use of many different drugs concurrently in treating a patient, common in the elderly.

Beers Criteria

A listing of drug items that are typically considered inappropriate for use in the elderly.

Ethnopharmacology

The study of the impact of cultural factors on drug response.

Schedule C-I Drugs

Drugs with high abuse potential and no currently accepted medical use, such as Heroin or Marijuana.

SALAD

An acronym standing for Sound-Alike-Look-Alike-Drugs.

ac

Medical abbreviation for 'before meals'.

pc

Medical abbreviation for 'after meals'.

PRN

Medical abbreviation for 'as needed'.

Weight Conversion (Kilograms)

$$1\,kg = 2.2\,lbs$$

Dimensional Analysis Formula

$$\frac{\text{Desired}}{\text{Have}} \times \text{Quantity} = \text{Amount to be given}$$