Exam one upload

Pharmacology

The science of looking at the composition, effects, and uses of drugs.

Nursing Role in Pharmacologic Care

Nurses are responsible for understanding the effect of medications on the disease process, providing interventions, monitoring plans, and educating patients.

Safe Medication Administration

A set of principles to ensure proper patient care includes right patient, medication, route, dose, reason, time, assessment, documentation, education, and the right to refuse.

Medication Reconciliation

The process of comparing a patient's medication orders to all medications the patient is taking to prevent errors.

Controlled Substances Act

Federal legislation that regulates the manufacture, importation, possession, use, and distribution of certain substances.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how the body processes a drug, covering absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Half-Life

The time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the bloodstream to decrease by half.

Adverse Effects

Undesired effects of medications that can be harmful or cause complications.

Anticholinergic Effects

Effects resulting from the blockage of the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to symptoms like dry mouth and blurred vision.

Look-Alike/Sound-Alike Medications

Drug names that may be confused due to their similar appearance or pronunciation, increasing the risk of medication errors.

Peak and Trough Levels

Measurements of drug concentration in the blood; peak is the highest level after administration, while trough is the lowest level before the next dose.

Agonist

A substance that occupies and activates receptors to produce a desired effect.

Antagonist

A substance that occupies receptors but does not activate them, preventing agonists from exerting their effects.

Pharmacodynamics

The interaction between a drug and its target receptors or sites in the body.

CYP-450 System

A group of enzymes critical to the metabolism of drugs, affecting how drugs are processed by the body.

Off-Label Use

Use of a medication for an indication not approved by the FDA.

High Alert Medications

Medications that have a heightened risk of causing significant harm if used in error.

Patient Education Regarding Medications

Providing patients with vital information about their medications including uses, administration, and potential side effects.

Opioids

A class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers, known for their pain-relieving properties and high potential for addiction.

Efficacy

The ability of a drug to produce the desired therapeutic effect.

Therapeutic Index

The ratio between the toxic and therapeutic concentrations of a drug.

Biotransformation

The chemical modification made by an organism on a chemical compound.

Drug Interactions

The effect that occurs when two or more drugs react with each other, potentially altering their effects.

Polypharmacy

The concurrent use of multiple medications, which is particularly common in older populations.

Active Metabolites

Metabolites of a drug that have a pharmacological effect, potentially increasing the drug's efficacy or toxicity.

Generic Drug

A medication that has the same active ingredients as a brand-name drug but is usually sold at a lower price.

Patient-Driven Care

Healthcare approach focusing on the patient's needs and preferences, ensuring their participation in treatment decisions.

Medication Errors

Mistakes that occur during the prescribing, dispensing, or administering of medications.