pharm exam1

Review 1

Prescription Writing

  • Electronic Prescription Systems
    • Definitions and uses of electronic systems for writing prescriptions.
  • FDA Schedule II-V
    • Overview of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) schedules and their significance.
  • E-FORCSE / PDMP
    • Explanation of state prescription drug monitoring programs.
  • Refills
    • Regulations and guidelines regarding prescription refills.

Pharmacokinetics

  • Absorption
    • The process of how drugs enter the bloodstream.
  • Distribution
    • How drugs are distributed throughout the body tissues and organs.
  • Metabolism
    • The chemical alterations of drugs in the body, primarily in the liver.
  • Elimination
    • The removal of drugs from the body, including renal and non-renal routes.

Pharmacodynamics

  • Mechanism of Action
    • How a drug produces its effects in the body.
  • Drug–Receptor Interactions
    • Details on how drugs bind to receptors to exert biological effects.
  • Dose–Response Relationships
    • Examination of the relationship between drug dosage and the magnitude of response.
  • Therapeutic and Toxic Effects
    • Definitions and implications of beneficial versus harmful drug effects.

Beers Criteria

  • Patient Safety
    • Overview of the Beers Criteria as a tool for determining inappropriate medications in older adults for the purpose of enhancing patient safety.

Clinical Toxicology

  • FDA Schedules
    • Detailing the classification of drugs in relation to their potential for abuse and safety.
  • Pregnancy Risk Categories
    • Explanation of drug classifications regarding their safety for use during pregnancy.

Antibiotics

  • Major Adverse Effects per Class
    • Listing and explanation of common adverse effects associated with each antibiotic class.
  • Monitoring
    • Importance of monitoring patients on antibiotic therapy for efficacy and adverse effects.
  • Allergies
    • Considerations regarding drug allergies and antibiotic use.
  • Indications per Class
    • Specific indications for use of various antibiotic classes.
  • Beta Lactam Inhibitors
    • Mechanisms and indications of Beta lactam antibiotics.
  • Stewardship
    • The importance of stewardship in the appropriate use of antimicrobials to prevent resistance.

Antituberculars

  • Check LFTs Before Prescribing
    • Importance of liver function tests prior to prescription of antitubercular drugs.
  • Length of Treatment
    • Duration guidelines for antitubercular therapy.

Fever, Pain, Headache, OTC, CAM

  • Acetaminophen
    • Pharmacological profile and indications for acetaminophen.
  • NSAIDs
    • Overview of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, their effects, and uses.
  • FDA
    • Role of the FDA in regulating over-the-counter medications.
  • Vitamins
    • Information regarding vitamin supplementation and its implications.

Cough

  • Antitussives
    • Explanation of medications that suppress coughing.
  • Central vs Peripheral
    • Comparison of central and peripheral mechanisms of cough suppression.
    • MOA (Mechanism of Action): Detailed function of antitussives.
    • Contraindications: Situations in which antitussives should not be used.
  • Expectorants
    • Role of expectorants in relieving cough and their mechanism of action.

Respiratory Infections

  • Choose Wisely Primary Care
    • Recommendations for the management of respiratory infections.
  • 1st Line = Wait and See
    • Suggested initial management strategy for certain respiratory conditions.
  • 2nd Line
    • Alternative therapies when first-line treatments are not effective.
  • Risk Factors
    • Identification of risk factors associated with respiratory infections.
  • Alarm Signs
    • Recognition of warning signs that necessitate immediate medical attention.

Allergies

  • Sympathomimetics (Decongestants)
    • Overview of sympathomimetic drugs used as decongestants.
  • 1st vs 2nd Generation Antihistamines
    • Comparison of first and second-generation antihistamines in terms of effectiveness, side effects, and clinical use.

Fungal Infections

  • Tissue Penetration
    • Discussion on the ability of antifungal medications to penetrate body tissues.
  • Diflucan
    • Specifics regarding the use of fluconazole (Diflucan) in treating fungal infections.

Psoriasis

  • Goals
    • Objectives for treating psoriasis, focusing on management and treatment outcomes.

Ophthalmic

  • Indications
    • Conditions for which ophthalmic medications are prescribed.
  • Common Classes
    • Overview of common classes of ophthalmic medications.
  • Patient Education
    • Key educational points for patients regarding the use of ophthalmic medications.
  • When to Refer
    • Guidelines on when to refer patients to a specialist.

Otic Disorders

  • Indications
    • Clinical scenarios justifying the use of otic medications.
  • Common Classes
    • Review of common classes of medications used in otic disorders.
  • Patient Education
    • Educational points relevant to patients with otic conditions.
  • When to Refer
    • Criteria for referring patients to an ear specialist.

Acne

  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd Line Treatments
    • Detailed discussion on treatment options for acne based on severity.
  • Safety
    • Safety considerations for acne therapies.

Immunology

  • Live Attenuated
    • Explanation of live attenuated vaccines and their immunological principles.
  • Inactive
    • Overview of inactive vaccines and how they differ from live vaccines.
  • Antigens
    • The role of antigens in the immune response.
  • Toxoid
    • Description and purpose of toxoid vaccines in immunology.