Pharm lecture #2

What is included in a regimen?

Route, dose, dosage, frequency, duration

What is the tech's responsibilities when administering a drug?

-Correct drug

-correct route

-correct time

-observe patient response

-label medication

-explain instruction to client

-documentation

The route of administration of a drug depends on what things?

- Form of the drug

-How quick is the onset of action

-Personality of patient

-nature/severity of problem

What is a loading dose

The larger initial dose given to a patient to establish drug concentrations within the therapeutic range

What is "steady state"

when drug accumulation equals drug elimination

Total daily dose

The combined amount of drug (mass) times the number of doses administered in a given day (dose interval)

What does "PO" mean

Oral route

What kind of patient should you never administer a drug PO

A vomiting patient

What pills shouldn't be given with milk/cheese products?

and "cycline" drugs (doxocycline, tetracycline)

What does "parenteral" route of administering a drug mean

administrating anything with a needle

IV route

Intravenous - fastest, rapid onset of action, ALREADY CONSIDERED ABSORBED

IM route

Intramuscular - slower onset of action than IV

SQ route

Subcutaneous - slowest onset of action but slightly longer duration than IM, can given larger amounts of liquid

ID route

Intradermal - allergy testing, large animal - TB testing

IP route

Intraperitoneal - given into the abdomen, usually only used in lab animals

Intra-arterial

Into an artery, not commonly used

Intra-articular

Into a joint

Intra-cardiac

Into the heart

Intramedullary

Into the bone

Epidural

Into the spine

What should NEVER go IV?

A suspension drug

Does IM have a more rapid onset of action than SQ?

YES - IM is more rapid than SQ

Why does SQ have a slower onset of action than IV or IM?

Because there are less capillaries in SQ tissue, so the drug must travel a greater distance to reach them and absorb

If the number (gauge) of the needle is big, does that mean the diameter is larger or small?

Small diameter

What are the two main differences between insulin syringes and regular syringes?

Insulin syringes are marked with units (not ml) and there is no hub on the needle

What occurs when a drug is given in excess resulting in amounts well above the therapeutic range?

Signs of toxicity are likely to develop

What occurs if insufficient doses are given and do not achieve an adequate concentration in the tissue?

possible resistance/sub therapeutic, no benefit

What is the goal while maintaining drug amount in the body?

To maintain the drug in the therapeutic range