review/ start of endocrine system

Enteral Administration

• Enteral: refers to any method of administering medication or nutrition directly into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

• Importance: Essential for medications that need to be broken down in the GI tract before being distributed in the body.

Diagnostic Replacement

• Definition: The diagnostic replacement refers to the terms associated with singular medical words.

• Example: Immunization can be classified as a type of diagnostic replacement in context.

Drug Naming

• Drug Naming: Understanding drug naming involves knowing the chemical name, trade name (or brand name) of medications.

• Clarification: Trade name is synonymous with brand name and helps in identifying the product in the market.

Adverse Reactions vs. Side Effects

• Adverse Reaction: Unwanted, harmful reactions to a medication that are unexpected and severe (e.g. reports of stroke or heart attack from common medications).

• Side Effect: Any secondary or unwanted effect of a drug; these can sometimes be known and expected (e.g. anxiety from anti-anxiety medications).

Documenting Orders

• Written Orders vs. Verbal Orders:

  • Written orders: Official documentation by a physician, holding accountability.

  • Verbal orders (e.g., during emergencies): Must still be documented to ensure legality and safety.

Documentation Importance

• CYA (Cover Your Ass): Documentation protects healthcare workers legally, ensuring actions taken are justified.

Essential Information on Prescriptions

• Key Elements of a Prescription:

  • Patient name, date of birth, and address.

  • Physician's name, work address, and DEA number (important for validating the prescription).

  • Drug name, dosage, quantity to dispense, and number of refills.

  • Instructions (SIG - abbreviation for 'signature') often written in medical shorthand, which should ideally be clear for patient understanding.

Medication Verification

• Purpose of Verification: Patient safety and prevention of medication errors.

• Importance of Double-Checking: Ensures the right patient receives the right medication and dosage.

Medication Reconciliation

• Definition: The process of verifying a patient's medication history upon admission or discharge to avoid discrepancies in treatment.

• Importance: Ensures correct dosages and prevents the patient's previous medications from interfering with current treatment modes.

Safe Medication Storage

• Storage Guidelines: Medications must be stored according to manufacturer's recommendations.

• Special Case: Insulin can be at room temperature for a limited time but should generally be refrigerated.

Therapeutic Range

• Definition: The concentration of medication in the bloodstream that produces the desired effect without causing toxicity.

• Example: Regular monitoring is essential for drugs like Coumadin or insulin.

Drug Regulation

• Overview: Understanding the regulatory bodies that approve medications before they enter the market.

• Importance of Recognizing Allergies: Drug allergies vs. drug reactions; allergies are immune responses and should be treated with caution.

Standing Orders

• Definition: Orders that allow administration of certain medications under specified conditions without needing a new prescription each time.

• Examples: Commonly used for fevers, pain, or nausea relief along with clearly defined protocols.

Understanding Agonist vs. Antagonist

• Definition:

  • Agonists bind to receptors and activate a response, helping achieve desired therapeutic effects.

  • Antagonists block or dampen the action of agonists, useful in situations where overactivity is a concern.

The Three Checks for Medication Administration

• Importance: Checking the right patient, right dose, and the right route three times to minimize risks of medication errors.

Immunology Overview

• Categories of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs:

  • Corticosteroids, NSAIDs, immunosuppressants, and more.

• Antibiotics Overview: Recognizing major types such as penicillins, tetracyclines, and their implications in treatment.

Endocrine System Overview

• Main Glands: Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Gonads, Thyroid, Adrenal.

• Regulation Mechanism: Negative feedback systems help maintain hormonal balance based on body needs (e.g., insulin regulation).

• Importance of the Pancreas: Regulates blood sugar levels through insulin secretion; crucial for diabetic patients.

Conclusion

• Emphasis: Students should focus on understanding therapeutic ranges, safe drug administration practices, and the implications of drug actions in relation to the body's physiological responses.