Vocab
Indications
conditions the specific drug is intended to treat
Define pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
PharmacoDYNAMICS: 'what drug does to body'
PharmacoKINETICS: 'what does body to do drug'
_________ effects are intended and expected.
Therapeutic effects.
True or False: All reactions to medications occur within a few minutes of administration.
False; reactions may be evident immediately, or patient may receive medication several times before reaction occurs.
Margins of safety can be wide or narrow. Narrow margins are associated with:
low risk medications or high risk medications
A narrow margin of safety is usually associated with a high-risk medication (ex: Coumadin).
Pharmacodynamics ('what drug does to body') includes receptors, define agonist and antagonist receptors.
Agonist: 'chemical fits receptor site'; physiological response (sometimes called 'facilitators')
Antagonist: 'drug interacts with receptor to block/inhibit response' ('blockers')
The influenza vaccine is can be categorized as what type of medication?
a. curative
b. diagnostic
c. prophylactic
C. Prophylactic medications prevent problems from occurring.
Hint: 'PPP': The Purpose of Prophylactic meds is Prevention.
Describe the difference between a side effect and an adverse effect.
A side effect is unintended, but often predictable and can be tolerated. An adverse effect is usually more severe and harmful and may result in discontinuing the medication.
Therapeutic range of a medication:
a. is always a specific value
b. provides information on minimal effectiveness level (of medication) to potential toxicity
b. The therapeutic range of a medication is not a specific value (this is referred to as a therapeutic level). Being aware of the therapeutic range is important for patient safety.
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are the main processes in ___________.
PHARMACOKINETICS ('what drug does to body')
Mucous membranes, blood vessels, the liver and kidneys are all involved in pharmacokinetics.
Describe curative medications.
Curative medications cure the problem, an example is antibiotics prescribed for a sinus infection.
An ________ type of reaction is life-threating and is usually treated with _________.
Anaphylactic reactions are life-threatening and are treated with epinephrine ('Epi-Pen.')
Signs & Symptoms: immediate, BP decreases, airways close
provide term:
'other drugs and/or foods that can alter the effect of drug and usually should not be given during same course of therapy'
Interactions
Absorption (pharmacokinetics) can be influences by many factors including:
-drug solubility (water vs. fat)
-administration route (ex: enteral vs. parenteral)
-blood flow
-intestinal motility
-time release and/or enteric coated meds
Linda has been receiving chemotherapy for stage 2 breast cancer, her lab work shows her tumor has shrunk. The chemotherapy has acted as a ________
medication.
replacement or destructive
Destructive; such medications destroy tumors or pathogens
Which bodily system initiates an allergic response?
The immune system; allergic reactions can include hives, itching, rashes and can be mild or severe.
Match 'addiction,' 'dependence' and 'tolerance' to their definitions.
A. 'decreased response to drug, develops after repeated doses are given'
B. 'use of drug without medical benefit, often for psychological effects'
C. 'acquired need for drug that may produce physical or psychological withdrawal when discontinued'
Tolerance: A
Addiction: B
Dependence: C
How do liver and kidney function play a role in pharmacokinetics?
Liver: main site for metabolism of drug
Kidneys: main site for preparing body to excrete drug
*If either liver or kidney function is impaired, additional monitoring (labs, dosage modification, etc.) are usually necessary.
An example of a replacement medication is:
a. Tylenol for fever
b. Insulin for Diabetes Type I
c. morphine for hospice patient
B. Insulin is a replacement medication, a patient with Diabetes I does not create enough insulin, and it must be replaced.
A patient is given the prescribed dose of 'Tylenol PM,' but is very alert throughout the night. This is an example of a __________ reaction.
Paradoxical; Tylenol PM usually aides in sleep, this patient experiences the opposite effect.