Pharmacology Exam Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering pharmacology history, dosage calculations, medication safety, and major drug classes as discussed in the lecture notes.

Pharmacokinetics

What the body does to the drug, consisting of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Pharmacodynamics

What the drug does to the body, including its mechanism of action and therapeutic effect.

Schedule I (C-I)

Drugs with no accepted medical use and the highest abuse potential, such as Heroin and LSD.

Schedule II (C-II)

Drugs with high abuse potential and accepted medical use that allow no refills, such as Morphine, Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and Adderall.

Metabolism

The process where a drug is broken down, occurring primarily in the liver.

Excretion

The process where a drug leaves the body, occurring primarily through the kidneys.

Unsafe Abbreviations

Symbols and letters that should not be used in medical documentation, including U (units), IU (international units), QD (daily), QOD (every other day), and trailing zeros (e.g., $5.0\,mg$).

Therapeutic Level

The specific drug concentration range where a medication works safely without causing toxicity or being ineffective.

Side Effects

Expected, unwanted effects that are usually not dangerous, such as drowsiness or nausea.

Adverse Effects

Unexpected, harmful reactions that often require stopping the medication, such as anaphylaxis or organ damage.

Metric Weight Conversions

$1000\,\text{mcg} = 1\,\text{mg}$; $1000\,\text{mg} = 1\,\text{g}$; $1000\,\text{g} = 1\,\text{kg}$.

Weight Calculation Conversion

$1\,\text{kg} = 2.2\,\text{lb}$.

Household to Metric Conversions

$5\,\text{mL} = 1\,\text{tsp}$; $15\,\text{mL} = 1\,\text{Tbsp}$; $30\,\text{mL} = 1\,\text{oz}$.

Formula Method

A calculation used to determine dosage: $\frac{D}{H} \times Q$, where D is desired dose, H is what you have, and Q is quantity.

IV Pump Flow Rate Formula

$\frac{\text{Volume}}{\text{Hours}} = \text{mL/hr}$.

Gravity Drip Rate Formula

$\frac{\text{mL} \times \text{Drop Factor}}{\text{Minutes}} = \text{gtt/min}$.

5 Rights of Medication Administration

Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route, and Right Time.

Tetracycline

An antibiotic that causes photosensitivity; it should be taken with water but avoiding dairy, iron, and antacids, and is contraindicated in pregnancy and children under $8$ years.

Retinoids (Tretinoin)

Acne medications that unclog pores but cause photosensitivity and must be avoided during pregnancy.

Permethrin

A scabicide and pediculicide used to kill mites and lice; requires treating household members and washing bedding in hot water.

Acyclovir

An antiviral used for HSV and Shingles that should be started within $72\,\text{hours}$ of symptoms and requires increased fluid intake to protect the kidneys.

Alendronate (Fosamax)

A bisphosphonate for osteoporosis that must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach with a full glass of water, while staying upright for $30\,\text{minutes}$.

Methotrexate

A DMARD used for rheumatoid arthritis that requires monitoring CBC and LFTs; patients must avoid alcohol and pregnancy while taking it.

Colchicine vs. Allopurinol

Colchicine is used for acute gout attacks; Allopurinol is used for prevention and is not for acute attacks.

Anticholinergic Side Effects

Characterized by the mnemonic 'can't pee, can't spit, can't poop, can't see,' including dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

An analgesic with a maximum dose of $4\,\text{g/day}$ that can cause liver toxicity.

Opioid Nursing Considerations

Monitor for respiratory depression and constipation; Naloxone is used as the reversal agent for overdose.

Aspirin Warning

Avoid use in children due to Reye syndrome; monitor for bleeding and tinnitus (toxicity).

Phenytoin (Hydantoin)

An antiseizure drug that requires blood level monitoring and can cause gingival hyperplasia.

Lithium

An antimanic drug with a therapeutic range of $0.6-1.2\,\text{mEq/L}$; patients must maintain fluid and sodium intake.

Levothyroxine

A treatment for hypothyroidism that must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach.

Insulin Regular

The only type of insulin that can be administered intravenously (IV).

Insulin Glargine

A long-acting insulin that should never be mixed with other insulins.

Nitroglycerin

An antianginal that should not be taken within $24-48\,\text{hours}$ of sildenafil due to severe hypotension risk.

Heparin Antidote

Protamine sulfate; monitor aPTT during therapy.

Warfarin (Coumadin)

An anticoagulant monitored via INR (goal $2-3$); Vitamin K is the antidote and intake must remain consistent.

Lisinopril

An ACE inhibitor that can cause a dry cough, hyperkalemia, and angioedema.

Furosemide (Lasix)

A loop diuretic that can cause low potassium (hypokalemia).

Spironolactone

A potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause high potassium (hyperkalemia).

Digoxin

A cardiac glycoside with a therapeutic range of $0.5-2\,\text{ng/mL}$; toxicity signs include yellow halos and bradycardia.

Gentamicin

An aminoglycoside antibiotic that requires monitoring for ototoxicity (hearing) and nephrotoxicity (kidneys).

Ciprofloxacin

A fluoroquinolone antibiotic associated with a risk of tendon rupture.

Albuterol

A beta-2 agonist used as a rescue inhaler for acute asthma symptoms; can cause tremors and tachycardia.

Ondansetron (Zofran)

An antiemetic that must be monitored for QT prolongation.

St. John's Wort

An herbal supplement for depression that has many drug interactions and can cause serotonin syndrome with SSRIs.

Ginkgo Biloba

An herbal supplement used for memory that increases bleeding risk.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Deficiency leads to Beriberi or Wernicke's; common in patients with alcoholism.

Vitamin K

Essential for making clotting factors; it is the mineral/vitamin that warfarin blocks to work.

Complementary vs. Alternative Medicine

Complementary is used with traditional medicine; Alternative is used instead of traditional medicine.

Adult Urine Output Parameter

Nurses should report any urine output less than $30\,\text{mL/hr}$ in adults.