Pharmacology Made Incredibly Easy Notes

Pharmacology Made Incredibly Easy – Fourth Edition

Introduction

  • Overview: This is an educational resource for nursing students focusing on pharmacology.
  • Authors/Editors:   - Carolyn Gersch, PhD (candidate), MSN, RN, CNE   - Nicole M. Heimgartner, MSN, RN, COI   - Cherie R. Rebar, PhD, MBA, RN, COI   - Laura M. Willis, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
  • Publisher: Wolters Kluwer, 2017
  • Copyright Information: All content is protected by copyright laws. The publisher disclaims any liability and provides the work "as is".

Dedication

  • Dedication to Nursing Students: Honoring nursing students who embody the profession's traditions and commitment to evidence-based practice.
  • Personal dedications by editors and contributors.

Contributors

  • List of contributors to the book, which includes various medical and nursing professionals from diverse specialties.

Foreword

  • The foreword highlights the usefulness of the book:   1. Emphasis on essential nursing pharmacology knowledge.   2. Promotes retention of learned material.   3. Engaging presentation improves learning experience.
  • Special features include:   - Prototype pro: Details actions, indications, and nursing considerations for common prototype drugs.   - Pharm function: Illustrates how drugs act in the body.   - Before you give that drug: Alerts on drug warnings.   - Education edge: Key patient education points.
  • Playful characters in the margins for added learning support.

Table of Contents

  1. Fundamentals of nursing pharmacology – Victoria Wilson, RN
  2. Autonomic nervous system drugs – Sharon Wing, PhDc, RN, CNL
  3. Neurologic and neuromuscular drugs – Sarah Clark, RN, BA
  4. Pain medications – Adair Lattimer, DNP, RN
  5. Cardiovascular drugs – Katrin Moskowitz, DNP, APRN
  6. Respiratory drugs – Katrin Moskowitz, DNP, APRN
  7. Gastrointestinal drugs – Margaret M. Gingrich, CRNP
  8. Genitourinary drugs – Amy Beckmann, CNM
  9. Hematologic drugs – Emily Sheff, MSN, CMSRN, FNP-BC
  10. Endocrine drugs – Tracy Taylor, MSN, RN
  11. Psychotropic drugs – Sarah Clark, RN, BA
  12. Anti-infective drugs – Charity L. Hacker, MSN-Ed, RN
  13. Anti-inflammatory, antiallergy, and immunosuppressant drugs – Tracy Taylor, MSN, RN
  14. Antineoplastic drugs – Sarah Clark, RN, BA
  15. Drugs for fluid and electrolyte balance – Emily Sheff, MSN, CMSRN, FNP-BC
  • Appendices and Index: Includes additional resources like medication safety and glossaries.

Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Nursing Pharmacology

Objectives
  • Understand basic pharmacology concepts: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics.
  • Learn about drug interactions and adverse reactions.
  • Grasp the nursing process in relation to pharmacology.
Pharmacology Basics
  • Definition: The scientific study of the origin, nature, chemistry, effects, and uses of drugs.
  • Importance: Essential for safe and accurate medication administration.
Key Concepts in Pharmacology
  1. Pharmacokinetics: The study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body.
  2. Pharmacodynamics: The study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action.
  3. Pharmacotherapeutics: The use of drugs to prevent and treat diseases.
Other Important Pharmacology Aspects
  • Drug Nomenclature:   - Chemical Name: Describes the drug's atomic and molecular structure.   - Generic Name: Abbreviation of the chemical name, easier to use in practice.   - Trade Name: Selected by the manufacturer and protected by copyright.
  • Naming Regulation: In 1962, official names were mandated to avoid confusion.
Drug Classification
  • Pharmacologic Class: Groups drugs with similar characteristics, e.g., beta-adrenergic blockers.
  • Therapeutic Class: Groups drugs by therapeutic use, e.g., antihypertensives.
Drug Sources
  • Historically derived from:   - Plants: Leaves, roots, stems (examples: atropine, caffeine).   - Animals: Hormones (insulin), enzymes (pancreatin).   - Minerals: Elements from nature (iron, iodine).
  • Modern drugs are chemically synthesized to ensure purity and specific action.
  • Alkaloids: Active plant components ending in “-ine”; examples: caffeine.
  • Glycosides: Beneficial and toxic compounds ending in “-in”; e.g., digoxin.
  • Gums and Resins: Used for medicinal purposes, such as local irritants.
Drug Administration Routes
  • Routes impact drug quantity, absorption rate, and patient response:   - Buccal/Sublingual/Translingual: For drugs sensitive to stomach or intestine.   - Gastric: Used when oral intake isn’t possible.   - Intradermal: Injected into skin for diagnostics.   - Intramuscular: Allows large doses and rapid action.   - Intravenous: Directly into bloodstream, including fluids and drugs.   - Oral: Safest and most common route for conscious patients.   - Rectal/Vaginal: For localized treatment or systemic absorption.   - Respiratory: For rapid absorption; inhalation devices used.   - Subcutaneous: Injected into subcutaneous tissues for rapid absorption.
  • Specialized Infusions: Targeted to specific areas like epidural or intraarticular.
New Drug Development Process
  • Follow a systematic scientific approach:   1. Phase I: Safety testing on healthy volunteers.   2. Phase II: Efficacy trials on patients with the disease.   3. Phase III: Expanded trials for safety and efficacy.   4. Phase IV: Post-market surveillance for long-term effects.
  • FDA Approval: Drugs go through rigorous review processes.
  • Fast Track: Certain drugs can receive expedited approval for urgent health concerns.
Pharmacokinetics Defined
  • Definition: The study of the movement of drugs within the body, examining how drugs:   - Absorb: Ingested or administered into the body.   - Distribute: Spread throughout body tissues.   - Metabolize: Converted into a form that can be excreted.   - Excrete: Removed from the body.