Chapter 30: Medications

Routine order

Orders that are carried out as specified until they are canceled by another order.

Standing orders

Medications that are administered in certain situations and have specified limitations.

PRN order

Medication that is given when the patient requests or requires it.

One-time order

Medication that is carried out only once at a specific time.

Stat order

Medication given only once and carried out immediately.

Patient-controlled analgesia order (PCA)

Allows the patient to control administration of an intravenous analgesic for pain management.

The seven parts of a medication order

Include patient’s name, date and time order written, name of drug, dosage, route, frequency, and signature of prescribing provider.

Pharmacokinetics

How the body processes a drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Pharmacodynamics

The drug's effects on the body, including therapeutic effects, side effects, and adverse effects.

Medication reconciliation

The process of comparing a patient’s current medication orders with all medications they are taking to avoid errors during transitions in care.

Right medication

Ensures that the correct medication is administered to the patient.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs)

Harmful or unintended responses to a drug at normal dosages.

Additive effect

When two drugs with similar actions are combined, their effects can add up.

Synergistic effect

When two drugs work together to produce a stronger effect than they would individually.

Antagonistic effect

When one drug reduces or blocks the effect of another.

Idiosyncratic effect

Unpredictable and unusual responses to a drug, often due to genetic differences in drug metabolism.

Needlestick prevention

Following safety measures such as never recapping needles after injections to avoid accidental needle sticks.

Z-track method

Injection technique recommended for IM injections to prevent medication leakage into subcutaneous tissue.