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Orientation & Application of Pharmacology in Nursing

  • Course: BSN210 Clinical Pharmacology

  • Academic Year: 2025-2025

  • Semester: 2

  • Week: 1

  • Institution: Fatima College of Health Sciences

Session Learning Outcomes

  • At the end of the lecture, students should be able to:

    • Define standard terms associated with drug therapy.

    • Explain the concepts of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics.

    • Classify drug names and categories (high-alert drugs, prescribed drugs, herbal therapies).

    • Recognize drug-receptor interactions (Agonist and Antagonist receptors).

    • Identify intrinsic and extrinsic drugs.

Drug Therapy: Basic Terms

  • Drug (medication): Small molecules altering bodily functions at the cellular level.

    • Examples: caffeine, alcohol, nicotine.

    • Purpose: Diagnosing or treating health issues.

  • Intended action: The desired effect of a drug on specific cells or tissues, synonymous with therapeutic response.

  • Side effects: Any effects not intended by the drug, often mild.

Overview of Drug Therapy

  • Any drug can be misused, harming individuals.

  • Drug sources: chemicals, plants, animals, and endogenous substances (intrinsic drugs).

  • Chemicals introduced to the body from external sources are termed extrinsic drugs.

Drug Names

1. Chemical Name

  • Describes exact chemical composition.

  • Utilized by chemists; not commonly used by patients or clinicians.

2. Generic Name

  • Written in lowercase; designed for ease of use among health professionals.

  • Example: generic name for Cozaar is losartan.

  • Created by the USAN Council, typically shares a common ending among similar drug classes (e.g., -olol for beta-blockers).

3. Brand/Trade Names

  • Proprietary names owned by manufacturing companies, capitalized and often followed by ® or TM.

Drug Categories

  • Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs: Can be purchased without a prescription, potential hazards exist if instructions are not followed.

  • Prescription Drugs: Require a prescription due to potential for harm or addiction.

  • High-Alert Drugs: These drugs carry a higher risk of patient harm if mismanaged (e.g., Insulin, Potassium, Narcotics).

  • Herbal Products: Natural substances that mimic drug actions; can interact negatively with other therapies.

Pharmacodynamics

  • Refers to the actions of drugs on the body.

Mechanisms of Action

  • How a drug alters bodily functions and impacts cell activity.

  • Target tissues are those affected by the drug's action.

Pharmacodynamics: Drug-Receptor Binding

  • Receptors: Sites on or in cells that bind with body chemicals, influencing cellular activity.

Pharmacodynamics: Receptor Agonists and Antagonists

Agonists

  • Drugs binding to receptors mimicking intrinsic substances.

Antagonists

  • Drugs blocking receptors to prevent activation by intrinsic substances.

Pharmacokinetics

  • Discusses how the body utilizes and alters drugs.

  • MEC (Minimum Effective Concentration): Threshold level for therapeutic action.

Pharmacokinetic Processes

  1. Absorption: Drug entry into the bloodstream.

  2. Distribution: Spread of drugs throughout body compartments.

  3. Metabolism: Chemical transformation of drugs.

  4. Elimination: Removal of drugs from the body.

Drug Elimination

  • Elimination involves various body systems, primarily the kidneys and liver.

  • Half-Life of a Drug: Time taken to eliminate half the dose; critical for dosing schedules.

Properties of an Ideal Drug

  1. Effectiveness: Must elicit desired response.

  2. Safety: Absence of harmful effects.

  3. Selectivity: Only achieves intended response without side effects.

  4. Reversible Action: Action terminates after a specific duration.

  5. Predictability: Consistent outcomes across patients.

  6. Ease of Administration: Convenient routes with minimal frequency.

  7. Freedom from Drug Interactions: Should not adversely interfere with other drugs.

  8. Low Cost: Accessibility for patients.

  9. Chemical Stability: Maintains effectiveness over time.

  10. Simple Generic Naming: Easy to remember.

Important Study Notes:

  • No drug is completely safe; all have potential side effects and risks.

  • Monitor drug interactions, efficacy, and side effects closely.

  • Consider financial factors, patient education, and adherence to therapy.