Pharmacology Chapters 1-6 Review NCLEX

Pharmacology

The study of drugs and their effects on living organisms.

Pharmacokinetics

What the body does to a drug: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Pharmacodynamics

What a drug does to the body and how the drug produces its effects.

Absorption

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

Primary organ for metabolizing medications

The liver.

Primary organ for excreting most medications

The kidneys.

Distribution

The movement of a drug from the bloodstream into body tissues.

Excretion

The removal of a drug from the body.

Medication half-life

The amount of time required for the concentration of a drug in the body to decrease by 50%.

Agonist

A drug that produces a response by binding to a receptor.

Antagonist

A drug that blocks or prevents a response by binding to a receptor.

Therapeutic effect

The intended or desired effect of the medication.

Adverse drug reaction

An unintended, harmful, or undesired response to a medication.

Side effect

An unintended effect of a medication that occurs at therapeutic doses.

Drug allergy

An immune-mediated response to a medication.

Anaphylaxis

A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction involving multiple body systems.

Drug tolerance

A decreased response to a drug after repeated use, requiring a larger dose to produce the same effect.

Drug dependence

A state in which the body has adapted to a drug and experiences withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped.

Drug toxicity

Harmful effects caused by excessive drug levels or accumulation of a medication.

Therapeutic range

The concentration range in which a drug is effective without causing unacceptable toxicity.

Fastest systemic effect route

Intravenous (IV).

Route bypassing GI tract and first-pass metabolism

Intravenous administration.

Sublingual route

Medication administered under the tongue.

Buccal route

Medication placed between the cheek and gum.

PO meaning

By mouth/orally.

IM meaning

Intramuscular.

SQ or SC meaning

Subcutaneous.

Generic name

The standardized, nonproprietary name assigned to a drug.

Brand name

The name given to a medication by its manufacturer.

Medication name written in lowercase

Generic name.

Nurse's priority before administration

Verify the client's identity and medication order.

Client identifiers

The client's name and date of birth.

Three checks of medication administration

Compare the medication label with the medication administration record when obtaining, preparing, and administering the medication.

Number of times to compare medication label

Three times.

Basic rights of medication administration

Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, right reason, and right response.

Pre-administration assessment

Allergies and relevant assessment findings.

Action for incorrect medication dose

Hold the medication and clarify the order with the prescribing provider.

Action if medication error occurs

Assess the client, notify the appropriate healthcare provider, follow facility policy, and document the event accurately.

Medication reconciliation

Comparing a client's current medications with new medication orders to identify discrepancies and prevent errors.

Importance of medication reconciliation

It helps prevent medication errors, omissions, duplications, and harmful interactions.

Drug interaction

A change in the effect of one drug caused by another drug, food, supplement, or substance.

Synergism

When two medications produce a combined effect greater than the effect of either medication alone.

Additive drug effect

When the combined effects of two drugs equal the sum of their individual effects.

Contraindication

A condition or circumstance in which a medication should not be used because it could cause harm.

Kidney function assessment rationale

Impaired kidney function can cause medication accumulation and toxicity.

Liver function assessment rationale

Impaired liver function can decrease drug metabolism and increase drug levels.

Narrow therapeutic index care

Close monitoring of drug levels and the client's response for toxicity.

Purpose of patient education

To help the patient understand the medication's purpose, proper use, expected effects, and potential adverse effects.

Reporting unusual or severe reactions rationale

Early recognition of adverse effects can help prevent serious complications.

Action for allergy conflict

Hold the medication and notify the appropriate healthcare provider before administering it.