...Pharmacology is the study of the physical, biological and chemical actions of drugs (Bryant & Knights, 2011). In the practice of medicine, drugs are used to diagnose, treat or prevent disease so for the registered nurse in a clinical setting, the knowledge of pharmacology plays a huge importance in their role of medication administration. Pharmacology knowledge allows the nurse to carry out safe medication administration, monitor medication actions, educate patients, and act legally and ethically within the pharmacological parameters. This knowledge is also vital for the nurse practititioner in their role of nurse prescribing. Pharmacology plays a huge part in these roles for the nurse. This essay below will elaborate on the importance of pharmacology for the five reasons of safe medication administration, monitoring of medication actions, patient education, legal and ethical aspects of pharmacology and the nurse practitioner. Firstly, safe medication administration. To administer drugs safely it is the nurse’s responsibility to have knowledge of the prescribed medications as well as their therapeutic and non therapeutic effects. Knowledge of the medications include, knowing its approved drug name and classification, correct dose and route of administration. A medication may have as many as three different names- a chemical name, a generic (proprietary) name and a trade name (Crisp & Taylor, 2011). A chemical name refers to the chemical makeup of a drug, a generic name is the...
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...PHARMACOLOGY STUDENT NAME: DATE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #1: Complete the following questions after reading Chapter 3: Drug Administration. Fill in the Blank: Complete the following sentences using the correct key term. 1. Drugs administered into the GI tract are given via the enteral route. 2. A good example of an intradermal injection is a PPD test. 3. Drugs applied directly on the skin are administered via the topical route. 4. Drugs applied topically to the skin or mucous membranes exert a local effect 5. Drugs that distribute throughout the body exert a systemic effect. 6. Drugs that come as an emulsion must be shaken well before administration. 7. An enteric coating resists the acid environment of the stomach. 8. A solid drug dispersed within a liquid is called a suspension. 9. Administration of a drug into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) uses the intrathecal route. 10. Sublingual tablets are placed under the tongue. 11. A tablet placed between the cheek and gum in the mouth is an example of buccal administration. 12. A drug compressed or molded into a specific shape is called a tablet. 13. An intravenous drug is administered directly into the bloodstream. 14. A sustained release tablet is formulated to release a drug slowly over an extended period. 15. A drug encased in a hard or soft gelatin container is known as a capsule 16. A syrup is a concentrated solution of sugar in water. 17. The technique of instilling drugs into a muscle uses the...
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...CHAPTER 1: Pharmacology is defined as the STUDYING OF DRUGS, THEIR USES, AND THEIR INTERACTIONS IN LIVING TISSUE The physician must have permission from the FDA to dispose of any outdated medications. FALSE What government agency or agencies control prescription or legend medications? A AND C (DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND FDA) Drug testing is done on which of the following before being named an Investigational New Drug? ANIMALS The physician must keep which of the following records when using drugs found on the DEA list of scheduled medications? ALL OF THE ABOVE The FDA is a division of the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES The person(s) with the responsibility for obtaining information and keeping records of all drugs used by a patient (both prescription and over-the-counter medications and herbs) is/are the A AND B (PHYSICIAN AND MEDICAL ASSISTANT) Prescription pads make wonderful notepads and paper for ordering blood tests and X-rays. FALSE OTC means OVER THE COUNTER Who dispenses medications? PHARMACISTS CHAPTER 2: Anaphylaxis is a possible allergic response with any medication and may be fatal. TRUE Which of the following are considered the major drug actions? DEPRESSION, STIMULATION, IRRITATION, DEMULCENCE The amount of drug circulating in the body is called the drug’s BLOOD LEVEL Recombinant DNA technology uses artificially manipulated DNA segments for transfer from a cell of one species to a host...
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...When administering medications to patients with dementia or delirium it is important to have an understanding of what dementia and delirium means. Delirium is an acute reversible state of disorientation and confusion. Delirium is marked by disorientation without drowsiness, hallucinations, delusions; difficulty in focusing attention; inability to rest and physical and autonomic over activity. Common causes of delirium are drug and alcohol withdrawal; medication side effects, infections, pain surgery or trauma, hypoxia, and acid-base electrolyte imbalances. Treatment of delirium includes determining the cause of the delirium. Antipsychotic drugs and benzodiazepines may be used cautiously when other non-pharmacological interventions have failed. (Tabors 2009) Dementia is a progressive irreversible decline in mental function marked by memory impairment and often deficits in reasoning, judgment, abstract thought registration, comprehension, learning, and use of language. Symptoms may take months to years to progress and they include poor judgment, clouding of consciousness and orientation, depression, agitation sleeplessness, Patient may become dependent of activities of daily living. Dementia may result from AIDS, chronic alcoholism, Alzheimer’s disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, carbon monoxide poising, hypothyroidism and subdural hematomas. 4.5 million People in the U.S are affected by dementia. 20-40% of patients with dementia are over the age of 85. (Tabor’s 2009) Some of the...
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...Running head: HOMEWORK 1 ASSIGNMENT Homework 1 Assignment Hector Torres Grand Canyon University Bio-316V July 1, 2011 Homework 1 Assignment 1. Which dosage forms are most appropriate for administering drugs to pediatric patients? Adults? Medication administration to a pediatric patient can be challenging. Prescribers should order dosage forms that are age appropriate for their patients. The drug delivery industry offers a full array of innovative dosage forms, which are suitable for pediatric patients of all ages. As for adults, the appropriate dosage forms for adults should be based on the specific needs of the patient. Dosage form depends on the patients’ delivery method of the medication (Olson, J., 2006). 2. What are the processes involved in disintegration and dissolution? According to Grand Canyon University Lecture 1, (2011), “These terms describe the processes by which the medication is broken down within the body and delivered to the cells. Some medications are designed to breakdown quickly and be carried away by the blood stream. Nitroglycerin is an example of this process. When a patient puts nitroglycerin under the tongue, it immediately disintegrates and dissolves into a solution to be dispersed to relieve angina. Manufactures of the drug can design it in such a way as to control the speed of disintegration and dissolution (Grand Canyon University Lecture 1, 2011). 3. Give a definition of pharmacokinetics...
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...Pharmacology. 1. A drug, given as a 100-mg single dose, results in a peak plasma concentration of 20 μg/mL. The apparent volume of distribution is (assume a rapid distribution and negligible elimination prior to measuring the peak plasma level): A. 0.5 L. B. 1 L. C. 2 L. D. 5 L. E. 10 L. Answer: D 2. A drug with a half-life of 12 hours is administered by continuous intravenous infusion. How long will it take for the drug to reach 90 percent of its final steady state level? A. 18 hours. B. 24 hours. C. 30 hours. D. 40 hours. E. 90 hours. Answer: D 3. Which of the following results in a doubling of the steady-state concentration of a drug? A. Doubling the rate of infusion. B. Maintaining the rate of infusion but doubling the loading dose. C. Doubling the rate of infusion and doubling the concentration of the infused drug. D. Tripling the rate of infusion. E. Quadrupling the rate of infusion. Answer: A 4. A heart failure patient shows digoxin toxicity. She received 125 mcg as standard dose. Serum levels were reported to be 2ng/mL (2 mcg/L). Target therapeutic level is 0.8ng/mL. What dose should she receive? A. 25 mcg. B. 50 mcg. C. 75 mcg. D 100 mcg. E. 125 mcg. Answer: B 5. The addition of glucuronic acid to a drug: A. Decreases its water solubility. B. Usually leads to inactivation of the drug. C. Is an example of a Phase I reaction. D. Occurs at the same rate in adults and newborns. E. Involves cytochrome P450. Answer: B 6. Drug...
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...Components of Pharmacology Stacy Maryland Liberty University Online Pharmacology Pharmacology is the study of drugs; manmade, organic, or endogenous, and their application and physiological effect(s) most specifically on the central nervous system (CNS). The Doweiko text succinctly describes a pharmaceutical as that which is responsible for, “changing the biological functions of target cells through chemical action” (2015, p. 16). Drugs both licit and illicit, are largely classified as depressants, hallucinogens, opiates, and stimulants, come in myriad forms, allow for multiple avenues of consumption, and have inherent side effects. When developing, dispensing, or using a drug, it is necessary to understand the aforementioned, as well as its half-life, effective and lethal doses, potential interactions, and consequences of abuse or misuse. What is desired from a drug is its optimum effect or highest potential, which is contingent on its bioavailability and a rather complex process of being metabolized in the body. All substances have an effect on the body known as its half-life. Drug half-life, divided into three categories: distribution half-life, therapeutic half-life, and elimination half-life. It essentially refers to a compound’s effectiveness, duration of effect, and time in the body, respectively (Doweiko, 2015, p. 23). Every drug has a preferred effect. This intended outcome is referred to as its prime or desired effect. As previously stated, each of these...
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...University of Phoenix Material Pharmacology Case Study Analysis Worksheet Read the University of Phoenix Material: Pharmacology Case Study. Write a 350 word response to each of the following questions. The use of your textbooks or scholarly sources is recommended. Format any references consistent with APA guidelines. 1. What are two interventions that would help this couple take the correct medications at the correct times and on the correct days? An intervention that would help the couple with medications is one of the grown children can move closer to their parents. The child can monitor the couple more to ensure medication is taken correctly and at the right times. Another intervention to assist the couple is to have the medication measured out for the entire week. The family can do that. The insulin can be premeasured in the syringes and labeled with the time it is to be taken. The pills can be put in a medicine container or egg box that is labeled for the different days of the week. The process would start over on Sunday. Having a medication calendar can assist the family in taking the right amounts. The family can have a bell that goes off during the day when it is time to take medicines. Education is the key for the family to know and understand the importance of medication management. The grandchild and other children should learn about all the medication both parents take and what time it is taken. The process needs to be a team's effort, not just the elderly...
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...Medication errors are flaws in the healthcare system that can result in injury, disease, and even death. There are ways to prevent these mistakes and to make a facility more safe by enforcing certain rules and regulations. In order for these rules to be effective, the entire healthcare team including doctors, nurses, pharmacy, etc., need to cooperate and work together. It's very common for someone to make a clumsy move which is why triple checking is becoming more and more effective today. First scenario: A patient was prescribed two completely different medications to her but with similar names. The first drug was hydroxyzine 100 mg PO QID as needed and the second was hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg PO daily. When the nurse was supposed to be giving the 100 mg dose of hydroxyzine they instead pulled four 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide pills from the automated dispensing cabinet. The nurse proceeded to administer the medication before using the barcode scanning system. Not using the barcode was her first mistake. The nurse scanned the barcode after the patient had already consumed the pills. A pop up error came up saying "medication not found" because the daily dose of hydrochlorothiazide had already been given that day. Thankfully, the patient survived this incorrect administration of medication with no side effects to report. The nurse in this scenario administered the wrong medication that ended up being four times the prescribed dose of something that had already been given...
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...PART 1: MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND THEIR EQUIVALENTS Each question is worth 2 points for a total of 30 points. Determine the correct metric length: 1. 15 cm = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬____150_____mm 2. 1800 cm = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬_18________m 3. 0.4 m = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬_______40__ cm Determine the correct metric volume: 4. 1300 mL = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬_____1.3____ L 5. 8.01 L = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬_______8010__ mL Determine the correct metric weight : 6. 0.6 mg = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬___600______ mcg 7. 40 mg = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬_______0.04__ g 8. 0.05 g = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬___50______ mg 9. 320 g = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬_____0.32____ kg 10. 100 mg = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬_____0.1____ g 11. 7 g = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬______7000___ mg 12. 1200 mg = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬_1.2________ g Determine the correct household measurement: 13. 3 tbs = ______9____ tsp 14. 2 pt = _____32____ oz 15. 7 tsp = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬____2.3_____ tbsp PART 2: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Each question is worth 3 points for a total of 15 points. 1. A medication comes in 0.5 g or 500 mg strengths. Explain which medication is weaker (smaller strength). Neither one they are the same strength. 2. An incision measured 55 mm. How many centimeters is this? It would be 5.5 centimeters 3. A patient drank 2250 mL of water. How many liters is this? 2.25 L 4. A syringe contains 0.5 mL of sterile water. How many cubic centimeters does the syringe contain? 0.5 cc 5. The directions on a cough syrup are “take two tablespoons.” How many teaspoons are equivalent to two tablespoons? 4tsps PART 3:...
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...Corticosteroids depress the immune system, placing the client at risk for infection. Glucocorticoid methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol). levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid). Levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid) should be withheld if the pulse is over 100 beats/min. To prevent insomnia, the daily dose should be taken early in the morning before breakfast, not at bedtime. Cholinesterase inhibitors work to increase the availability of acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses, which aids in neuronal transmission and assists in memory formation. Basing an explanation on this concept. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Myelosuppression is the highest priority complication that can potentially affect clients managed with carbamazepine (Tegretol) therapy. The client requires close monitoring for this condition by weekly laboratory testing. Hepatic function may be altered. Older clients usually have a decline in lean body mass and total body water that causes water-soluble drugs to become distributed in fluid compartments, resulting in an increased concentration, so determining the drug's serum level for toxicity should be implemented first. Hemorrhagic cystitis (blood in the urine) is the characteristic adverse reaction of Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Metoclopramide HCl (Reglan) blocks dopamine receptors in the brain, which can cause the extrapyramidal symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. Bone marrow depression with granulocytopenia is a severe but common adverse effect of Zidovudine (Retrovir)...
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...MONONUCLEOSIS Also known as “MONO” Mononucleosis is a common illness that can leave you feeling tired and weak for weeks or months. It goes away on its own, but lots of rest and good self-care can help you feel better. Illness usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Often seen in teens and young adults, children can get the virus, but it often goes unnoticed because their symptoms are mild. Mono can be spread through contact with saliva, mucus from the nose, throat and sometimes tears. This is known as the kissing disease. However, Mononucleosis isn’t as contagious as some infections, such as the common cold. If you have mono, it’s important to be careful of certain complications such as an enlarged spleen. Rest and adequate fluids are key to recovery. Epstein-Barr is a very common virus. About 85% to 90% of American adults have developed antibodies by the time they are 40 years old. Which means that they have been infected with the virus at some point in their lives. This Disease is usually diagnosed based on the patient’s symptoms such as: Fever, swollen tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes in your neck and arm pits, skin rash and strep throat that doesn’t get better with antibiotic use. The doctor may order blood tests, particularly the mono spot test. Other blood tests, such as a complete blood count, might be done to see if the number of lymphocytes is higher than normal. Occasionally, titers of antibodies against the viruses that cause mono may need to be...
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...Sarah Gray @02668478 Intro to Pharmacology Case Study 4 Chapter 41 The Furosemide (Lasix) which lessen the fluid volume by escalate the amount of electrolytes and water that the kidneys are getting rid of. When there is less fluid volume the blood pressure will go down. Since her blood pressure is decreasing, the rate of her heart beat will decrease, diminish the amount of work that the heart has to do, and lowering how much fluid has built up in the lungs. The nurse needs to know how fast Furosemide (Lasix) should be given, how it work with other intravenous liquids, and what Lasix’s concentration is. The Foley catheter was ordered so it would accurately measure how much fluid was being released due to the Lasix (furosemide). The nurse should look at her blood pressure, respirations, temperature, pulse, pulse ox, and pain. He or she should also look for sluggishness and unsureness which are signs of hyponatremia; hyperkinesis, uncontrollable muscle spasm, easily upset which are symptoms of hypochloremia; thromboembolism which can be indicated by pain in lower extremities, migraine, inability to breathe, change in level of consciousness, and pain in chest. The nurse needs to let the prescriber know that all though the client’s potassium level was normal it was low in the normal range at the time the labs were drawn, Lasix can cause a drop in potassium, chloride, and sodium. He or she also needs to find out if the patient is currently on a regimen containing digoxin...
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...Olayemi et al., Journ. Pharm. Sci., March, 2008, Vol. 7 No. 1, P. 131– 138 Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 7, No. 1, March, 2008, ISSN: 0189-823X All Rights Reserved COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF MAIZE, RICE AND WHEAT STARCH POWDERS AS PHARMACEUTICAL EXCIPIENTS *Olayemi O. J., Oyi A. R. and Allagh T . S. Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria *Author for Correspondence: olubunmibiala@yahoo.co.uk, +234 80 33532299 ABSTRACT This investigation aims at comparing locally developed starches from three grains; Maize (Zea mays), Rice (Oryza sativa) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains. These grains are used mainly as foods and they contain high amount of carbohydrate. The presence of starch in these grains varies and thus their use as pharmaceutical excipients will vary to the degree of their starch functionality. The powders obtained were characterised for their particle size, particle size distribution. The organoleptic and physicochemical characterisation such as viscosity, hydration capacity, swelling capacity, moisture sorption capacity, pH, flow rate and porosity, Carr’s index and Hausner’s ratio were evaluated. The powders passed the identification and solubility tests as required by the BP. Rice starch showed the least Carr’s index, Hausner’s ratio, porosity, moisture sorption capacity and the greatest flow rate. Rice starch also showed the highest hydration capacity and swelling...
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...Phenomenology According to Potter and Perry (2010) phenomenology is understanding of human experiences as it is experienced. It is understanding and feeling the experiences as it is lived by an individual. Phenomenology is understanding the viewpoint of individuals as they experience it. According to phenomenological perspective an individual’s reality is created through the meanings they attribute to experience. Consequently, an individual’s world is the individual itself and the meaning and relationships they give to everyday experiences. One aspect of phenomenology is the holistic perspective that studies the ‘whole’ phenomenon (CNP BC 2009). Accordingly, holistic perspective sees an individual as a whole individual and not in segments or parts. Similarly, nursing considers the whole person and values their experience. Besides, the central focus of nursing is the client. The client includes the physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and social dimensions of the individual (Potter & Perry, 2010). Phenomenological perspective will help the writer to understand a nurses role as to be empathic, to be perceptive and to be supportive. It will assist the writer to understand individuals’ experiences as valid and be supportive. Phenomenology will help me to encourage and empower individual to take control over their health and wellness. Phenomenology will assist me to actively listen to individuals, create a therapeutic relationship and respect them. Phenomenological...
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