Unit 1 Notes Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

Homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level

Cell Atrophy

decrease in size of cells

Cell Hyperplasia

increase in number of cells

cell dysplasia

change in size, shape, uniformity, arrangement, structure of cell

Cell hypertrophy

increase in cell size

Cell Metaplasia

cells change into another type of cell

Cell Neoplasia

change in cell structure with an uncontrolled growth pattern

Apoptosis

programmed cell death

Necrosis

tissue death

Ischemia

an inadequate blood and nutrient supply to a cell

Hypoxia

Low oxygen saturation of the body, not enough oxygen in the blood

Pyroptosis

lysis of cells releasing destructive enzymes causing inflammation and damage

Phases of Prevention (primary)

About stopping illness or injury before it happens by promoting healthy behaviors and environments, essentially keeping healthy people healthy through actions like immunizations, health education (diet, exercise, safety), preventing the initial cause or exposure to risk factors

Phases of Prevention (secondary)

early disease detection and prompt treatment to stop or slow progression, focusing on asymptomatic individuals through screenings (blood pressure, mammograms, colonoscopies) and early interventions like managing diabetes to prevent complications

Phases of Prevention (Tertiary)

managing existing, long-term conditions to minimize complications, improve quality of life, and prevent further disability, essentially "treating the complications" after a disease is established, through rehabilitation

Pharmacokinetics

Study of how the body affects a drug from the moment of administration until it is completely eliminated. Determines onset, peak & duration of a drug's effect

Absorption (Pharmacokinetics)

Taken orally then absorbed by the kidneys and metabolized by the liver

Distribution (Pharmacokinetics)

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

Metabolism (Pharmacokinetics)

• occurs mostly in liver

• First Pass effect: when an orally taken drug gets significantly metabolized by the gut wall or liver before reaching systemic circulation, reducing its bioavailability

Excretion (Pharmacokinetics)

Removal of a drug from the body mostly though urination. Filters through the kidneys (clears metabolic waste)

Drug Plasma Concentration

Always trying to stay in the therapeutic window so drug can have maximum effect

Trough Levels (Peak)

Highest concentration of medication in an individual (timing of measurement depends on route of administration)

Trough Levels (Trough)

Lowest concentration of a medication in an individual, measured immediately before next dose to ensure patient remains in therapeutic window

Intravenous Injections

injections instilled into veins (15-30 min Peak level)

Intramuscular Injections

Injection of a medication into a muscle (30min to 60min Peak Level)

Oral Administration

drugs are given by mouth (about 60min peak level)

Side effects

unintended effect, can be beneficial or harmful, often mild and self-resolving

Adverse effects

undesirable and more severe harmful effect, usually drug is

discontinued

Hypersensitivity

Allergic reaction to a drug

Idiosyncratic or Paradoxical

opposite of intended action of a drug

Iatrogenic

treatment produces a known but unwanted effect

Teratogenic

harmful to an unborn fetus can harm placenta

Synergistic

combined effect of drugs is greater than predicted

Antagonistic

combined effect is less than intended (cancel each other out)

Protein Binding

Drugs attach to proteins which then act as binding vessels/carries for them until they choose to detach and work on tissues or preform the function that is needed

Half-life

The amount of time it takes for a drug to decrease by 50% in concentration in the body and it is crucial for dosage timing

Contraindications

specific condition or factor in which a medication should not be used because it may cause harm to the patient

Generic name

When a pharmaceutical company develops a medication and gives it an official name. (not capitalized)

Subcutaneous Injection

An injection given under the fat of the skin. (onset is variable because of water solubility and circulatory blood flow)

Biotransformation

when the structure of the medication is chemically altered during metabolism.

selective medication action

When a medication interacts with specific receptor sites in the body to produce a desired effect

anaphylaxis

This is when a patient takes a drug for the second time after having an adverse or unexpected reaction to a drug. Resulting in a increase in sensitivity to it and a more severe adverse reaction the second time around

Anaphylactic shock

A exaggerated response to a medication from the human body. Symptoms include

• Massive release of histamine in the body among other chemical inhibitors

• swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, and throat; difficulty breathing; wheezing; rapid heart rate; and extremely low blood pressure

How to treat anaphylactic shock

• Administer epinephrine to raise the client’s blood pressure and dilate respiratory bronchi (establish Airway)

• Give diphenhydramine to block the additional release of histamine

Medication Tolerance

When a patients sensitivity to a medication goes down so an increase in dosage is required

Medication Toxicity

When a client receives medication in excess. Important to try and prescribe the least amount possible and still have a therapeutic effect

Medication Administration Considerations in Neonates

• They have slower gastric emptying, higher gastric pH, and erratic IM absorption, which alters drug absorption.

• higher body water, lower fat, and an immature blood–brain barrier, affecting drug distribution.

• Immature liver enzymes and decreased kidney perfusion reduce medication metabolism and excretion, increasing the risk for toxicity, so weight- and age-based dosing is essential

Medication Administration Considerations in older adults

• decreased cardiac output, decreased peristalsis, and increased pH in the gastrointestinal tract, which can affect the absorption and distribution of medications,

• decreased renal and hepatic function, affecting medication metabolism and excretion. 

Extended Release Tablet

Medication is distributed slower over time requiring clients to take pills less frequently

Renal insufficiency

Another way of saying the client has trouble excreting medication

Contraindications

the section in the medical handbook that determine if it is safe for a client to receive a medication.

enteric coated medication

medications that may disrupt the stomach are encoated in this. DO NOT CHEW!!!