Intro to Pharmacology
What is pharmacology?
Study of drugs used to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease
Which route of drug administration is fastest?
IV (intravenous)
Which agency enforces laws on controlled substances?
DEA
Morphine and oxycodone are in which schedule?
Schedule II
List the Five Rights of med administration.
Right patient, drug, dose, route, time
Name one natural and one inorganic source of drugs
Digitalis (plant); Fluoride, gold, iron (inorganic)
What is the “first-pass effect”?
Oral drugs partly broken down in liver before circulation
Which schedule has no medical use and highest abuse potential?
Schedule I
What is the mnemonic for high-alert meds?
A PINCH (Anticoagulants, Potassium, Insulin, Narcotics, Chemo, Heparin)
What should a nurse do immediately after making a med error?
Assess patient, notify provider, report, document
What’s the difference between therapeutic and adverse drug effects?
Therapeutic = helpful, Adverse = harmful/unintended
Which organ is most important for metabolism?
Liver
Which organization accredits healthcare facilities and emphasizes medication safety?
Joint Commission
Which agency approves new drugs and issues Black Box warnings?
FDA
Before giving meds, what should a nurse assess?
Condition, allergies, VS, labs
Give one example of an off-label drug use
Metformin for PCOS
Which organ is most important for excretion?
Kidneys
Which law/code defines the legal scope of nursing practice?
State Nurse Practice Act
What does CMS regulate in healthcare?
Reimbursement and standards of care
Which expanded right is met when a nurse teaches a patient about opioid side effects?
Right education
Which herbal supplement decreases effectiveness of oral contraceptives and SSRIs
St. John’s Wort
Difference between agonist vs antagonist?
Agonist = activates receptor; Antagonist = blocks receptor
What is the global annual cost of med errors estimated by WHO?
$42 billion
Name 3 routes of drug excretion besides urine.
Sweat, saliva, bile, breast milk, feces
What’s the safe range between effective and toxic dose called?
Therapeutic window