Pharmacology Unit #1 Exam
Drawing Medication from an Ampule
1) Wrap guaze around neck of ampule 2) Break off top away from you 3) Attach filter needle to syringe 4) Withdraw med 5) Discard filter needle 6) Attach sterile needle/device to syringe Check expiration date and correct medication concentration. Shake the medication down into the base of the ampule. If some of the medication appears to be stuck in the neck, gently thump or tap the stem. Using a 4" X 4" gauze pad or alcohol prep pad, grip the neck of the ampule and snap it off. Drop the stem in a sharps container. Insert the needle into the ampule without touching the outer sides of the ampule. Draw the solution into the syringe, and dispose of the ampule in the sharps container. Hold the syringe with the needle pointing up, and gently tap the barrel to loosen air trapped inside and cause it to rise. Press gently on the plunger to dispel any air bubbles. Recap the needle using the one-handed method and avoiding contamination.
Drug Excretion
Elimination of the drug from the body.
Drug Absorption
Entrance of a drug into the bloodstream from its site of administration.
Time-Plasma Drug Concentration Curve
Onset action first observable effect, duration of action length, continued metabolism and excretion, decreased drug levels, decreased response, and frequency.
Drug Distribution
Passage of a drug from the blood to the tissues and organs of the body.
Additional Labeling Info
Passed in 2015 by the FDA for drugs placed on the market beginning June 29, 2001. OTC meds are excluded.
Patient 5 Rights
Patient, medication, dosage, time, route of administration, form, and documentation.
Generic and Brand Equivalent
Pharmaceutically equivalent-same makeup, strength, quality, and purity. Therapeutically equivalent- same effect including duration and intensity.
PDR
Physician's Desk Reference, most widely used by healthcare providers for the use of drugs in medical practice, updated yearly, use/indications, dosing, administration, contraindications, adverse reactions.
Preventative Use
Prevent the occurrence of symptoms, conditions, or diseases (vaccines).
Allergic Reaction
Previous exposure, sensitization occurs, formation of antibodies. Antigen-Antibody reaction rash, hives, itching, nasal congestion, hypotension, and bronchoconstriction.
Enzyme Inhibition
Process in which a molecule binds to enzymes and inhibits their activity for certain drugs.
Affinity
Propensity of a drug to bind to a given receptor site, and how strong the bond is.
Diagnostic Use
Provide evidence of disease (contrast/dyes).
Psychological Dependence
Psychological symptoms occur without use of the drug, anxiety, tension, stress.
Hub
The part of the needle that fits onto the syringe.
Diffusion
The process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Ratios
The relationship of one number to another expressed by whole numbers (1:5) or as a fraction 1/5.
Physical Dependence
A type of addiction in which the body itself feels a direct need for a drug.
Solution
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances.
Solvent
A liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances.
Psychological Dependence
A psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions.
Ampule
A sealed glass capsule containing a liquid, especially a measured quantity ready for injecting.
Vial
A small container, typically cylindrical and made of glass, used specifically for holding liquid medicines.
Solute
A substance that is dissolved in a solution.
AHFS
American Hospital Formulary Service, drug information database, detailed drug info, evidence based foundation for safe and effective drug therapy regular electronic updates annually.
Lethal Effect
An affect that kills.
Category B
Animal studies indicate no risk to fetus (no adequate studies in women).
Category C
Animal studies indicate some risk to fetus, benefits may outweigh risks (no adequate studies in women).
Controlled Substances
Any drugs listed on one of the "schedules" of the Controlled Substance Act.
Solutions
Are commonly expressed as percentages (based on 100) there are 3 types of percentages for example weight in weight (W,W) weight in volume (W/V) volume in volume (V/V).
Dose Response Curve
As the dose (exact amount of drug given) increases, the response (or effect) increases. Reaches its limit (100% response) maximal response/ceiling effect, doses above ceiling effect lead to undesired and toxic effects, can compare potency of similar drugs, potency strength to produce effect.
Drug Nomenclature
Chemical names, generic names lowercase, trade names (brand), and prescription drugs.
Types of Enzyme Inhibition
Competitive and non-competitive inhibition.
Therapeutic Use
Control or cure symptoms, conditions, or diseases. Physiological and or psychological (antibiotic, anti-anxiety).
Percentages
Decimal fraction with a denominator of 100.
Tolerance
Decreased drug effect that occurs after repeated administration.
Nasogastric Administration
Delivery of drug into the stomach through a tube that enters the body at the mouth and passes through the esophagus into the stomach.
Therapeutic Effect
Desired drug effect to alleviate some condition or symptom of disease.
Gauge
Diameter of the needle shaft that varies from 18 to 28; the larger the gauge, the smaller the number, the larger the needle. Instrument used for measuring and testing.
Osmosis
Diffusion across a semipermeable membrane enabled by water movement.
DFC
Drug Facts and Comparisons, updated monthly, most current drug info on a regular basis.
Side Effect
Drug effect other than the therapeutic effect that is usually undesirable but not harmful (drowsiness, dry mouth) (not an allergy)
Addiction
Drug independence causing severe and compulsive behavior.
Agonist
Drug that binds to a receptor and activates a physiologic response or drug action. It produces an effect, mimics.
Antagonist
Drug that binds to a receptor and interferes with other drugs or substances from producing a drug effect. Blocking drug, blocker or inhibitor.
Two Pharmacology Principles
Drugs do not create function, they only modify it. No drug has a single action (side effects).
Passive Transport (Diffusion)
Drugs move from an area of high concentration to low concentration.
Enzyme Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters that have been taken up by the presynaptic neuron.
Dose
Exact amount of drug administered per order, only this separates a drug from a poison.
Mechanism of Action
Explanation of how a drug produces its effects.
Drug Safety
Food and Drug administration (FDA) governs approval and use of all drugs. Efficacy/proof of effectiveness.
Schedule I
High abuse potential and no accepted medical use (heroin, marijuana, LSD).
Schedule II
High abuse potential, accepted medical use, new written prescription (meperidine, morphine, codeine, precodan, mepergan fortis, Ritalin, amphetamines, Vicodin).
Mechanism of Action (MOA)
How a drug produces its effects, i.e. anesthetics interrupt nerve conduction.
Tolerance
Need to take more of the drug to achieve the same effect, increased metabolism of drug.
Category A
No risk to fetus in first trimester (no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs
OTC medications.
Drawing Medication from a Vial
If this is your first time using this medicine, take the cap off the vial. Wipe the rubber top clean with an alcohol pad. Follow these steps to fill the syringe with medicine: Hold the syringe in your hand like a pencil, with the needle pointed up. With the cap still on, pull back the plunger to the line on your syringe for your dose. This fills the syringe with air. Insert the needle into the rubber top. Do not touch or bend the needle. Push the air into the vial. This keeps a vacuum from forming. If you put in too little air, you will find it hard to draw out the medicine. If you put in too much air, the medicine may be forced out of the syringe. Turn the vial upside down and hold it up in the air. Keep the needle tip in the medicine. Pull back the plunger to the line on your syringe for your dose. For example, if you need 1 cc of medicine, pull the plunger to the line marked 1 cc on the syringe. Note that some bottles of medicine may say mL. One cc of medicine is the same amount as one mL of medicine. To remove air bubbles from the syringe: Keep the syringe tip in the medicine. Tap the syringe with your finger to move air bubbles to the top. Then push gently on the plunger to push the air bubbles back into the vial. If you have a lot of bubbles, push the plunger to push all the medicine back into the vial. Draw medicine out again slowly and tap air bubbles out. Double check that you still have the right amount of medicine drawn up. Remove the syringe from the vial and keep the needle clean. If you plan to put the syringe down, put the cover back on the needle.
Enzyme Induction
Increase in the amount of drug metabolizing enzymes after repeated administration of certain drugs.
Rectal Administration
Insertion of medication in the rectum either in the form of a suppository or a liquid. Drug delivery method, such as a suppository, used to deliver drugs via the lower intestine.
Pregnancy Safety Categories
Issued by FDA (ABCDX)
Active Transport
It uses energy. The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane into a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy.
Schedule V
Limited abuse potential, accepted medical use, (narcotics antiussives, anti diarrheal, Robitussin AC, Lomotil)
Site of Action
Location where the drug exerts it's therapeutic effect, i.e. aspirin and the hypothalamus to reduce fever, not all sites of actions are known.
Site of Action
Location within the body where a drug exerts its therapeutic effect, often a specific drug receptor.
Schedule IV
Low abuse potential, accepted medical use, limitations in refills, (Valium, Ambien, Xanax)
Professionals Administering Drugs
MD, Dentists, RN, LVN, EMS, PA, NP, Medication Aide, Surgical/Radiology Technicians, RT, Unlicensed trained individuals under supervision licensed personnel.
Lock and Key
Many keys (drugs) can enter the lock (receptor), some keys will open the lock (agonists) while some keys will not open the lock, but will prevent other keys from opening the lock (antagonists).
Schedules III and V Drugs
May be written, orally communicated.
Schedule III
Moderate abuse potential, accepted medical use, limitations on refills, (Fiorinal, codeine combo drugs, Tylenol with Codeine, Marinol)
Schedule II Drugs
Must have written prescriptions.
Anaphylaxis
Respiratory difficulty, decrease in blood pressure, cardiac arrest, death.
Types of Enzyme Induction
Rifampin drug.
Pharmacy
Science of preparing and dispensing medication.
Toxic Effect
Side effect that can be harmful or life threatening to the body (drug poisoning).
Filtration
Solids and fluids separate.
Receptor
Specific cellular structure that a drug binds to in order to produce a physiologic effect.
Receptor Site
Specific location of the site of action where the drug binds to a cell in order to cause an effect, i.e. beta 1 receptors on the heart, opioid receptors in the brain.
Category X
Studies show fetal abnormalities and fetal risk, risks clearly outweigh the benefits (teratogenic harmful to fetus/embryo).
Category D
Studies show positive fetal risk, in some cases benefits may outweigh risks.
Posology
Study of amount of drug required to produce a therapeutic effect, dosing.
Pharmacology
Study of drugs.
Toxicology
Study of harmful/poisonous effects of drugs.
Pharmacotherapeutics
Study of how drugs treat a disease or condition.
Pharmacodynamics
Study of the action of a drug on living tissue, how drugs work in the body and MOA- mechanism of action.
Pharmacokinetics
Study of the processes that occur as the drug moves through the body. ADME- Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion.
Physical Dependence
Symptoms occur without use of the drug tremors, abdominal cramps, sweating, convulsions.
Lock and Key
The drug and the receptor site must have the correct configuration to produce a desirable effect, the drug must fit.
Drug Metabolism
The enzymatic biotransformation of a drug into metabolites.
Additive Effect
Two drugs with similar actions are taken for an increased effect.
Adverse Effect
Undesired effect possibly harmful (CNS disturbances).
Idiosyncratic Effect
Unexpected drug effect unique to an individual.
Iatrogenic Effect
Unintentional effect or disease resulting from drug therapy.
USP/NF
United States Pharmacopeia/National Formulary, official drug list recognized by the government, updated annually.
Important Facts about Medicines prior to Administration
Use Correct Dose Methods of Administration Side effects/Adverse Effects Drug Interactions Precautions/Contraindications Symptoms of Overdose Evidence and Control of Abuse Patient Allergies
Contraindication
When a drug should not be used.
Competitive Antagonism
When agonists and antagonists that bind to the same receptor are administered together, the one occupying the greatest number of receptors determines the amount of drug action produced.
Synergism
When the combined effect of two drugs is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
Enzyme Inducers
drugs that promote induction of enzymes.
