Pharmacology & med administration

• How does age affect drug response?

  Children metabolize many drugs differently than adults do, and they have immature systems for handling drugs
• How does body weight affect drug response?

  The recommended dose of a drug is based on drug evaluation studies and is targeted at a 150 lb person.
• how does the placebo effect affect drug response?

  A drug is more likely to be effective if the patient thinks it will work than if the patient believes it will not work.
• How does gender affect drug response?

  Physiological differences between males and females can influence a drug’s effect
• How does BDA affect drug response?

  is calculated by BSA $m^2$ = square {height (cm) x Weight (kg) }/ 3,600

  it determines the dosage of some medications
• how do genetic factors affect drug response?

  Some people lack certain enzyme systems necessary for metabolizing a drug, whereas others have overactive enzyme systems that cause drugs to be broken down more quickly.
• how do liver and kidney function affect drug response?

  drug is biotransformed and excreted and can lead to toxic reactions when the usual dose is given
• how can physiologic changes of aging affect drug disposition in the body?

  decline in organ failure

  altered absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
• what assessment data is to be obtained?

  The particular information that is needed varies with each drug, but the concepts involved are similar. Two major aspects associated with assessment are the patient’s history (past illnesses and the current problem) and examination of their physical status
• What is the impact of culture on an individual's ability to maintain pharmacological therapy?

  influences beliefs about chronic conditions, and interacts with individual about potential problems
• What is the impact of socioeconomic on an individual's ability to maintain pharmacological therapy?

  access and higher incomes are more likely to follow.
• what is the impact of spiritual resources on an individual's ability to maintain pharmacological therapy?

  Helps the patient recognize their illness and interlaced with practice of medicine
• What are the differences in individual responses to pharmacological therapies?

  their ethnicity, as well as factors like their circadian rhythm and how fast their liver can metabolize
• what is the speed of effect for Enteral (oral) Meds

  oral takes the longest to be absorbed with liquids that do not need to be dissolved having a faster absorption rate than capsules or tablets
• what is the speed of effect for Parenteral (intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intravenous piggy-back)

  placed directly into the bloodstream, thus technically are not absorbed and take effect quickly
• what is the speed of effect for topical (vaginal, rectal, instillation, skin)?

  unless formulated specifically for systemic absorption (transdermal patches), tend to have primarily local effects.
• what is the speed of effect for Instillations

  the drug acts right at the site of administration, but also passes directly into the bloodstream.
• what is the speed of effect for inhalation?

  aerosolized, delivered in small particles, and breathed in by the patient
• How does absorption (including first-pass effect) affect the pharmacokinetic factors in pharmacological therapies?

  the process by which a drug is transferred from its site of entry into the body to the bloodstream

  bioactivity - The portion of a drug that reaches the systemic circulation and can act on the cells
• how does metabolism affect the pharmacokinetic factors in pharmacological therapies?

  the process by which a drug is transferred from its site of entry into the body to the bloodstream

  liver is the primary site for drug metabolim
• how does excretion affect the pharmacokinetic factors in pharmacological therapies?

  After the drug is broken down into an inactive form, excretion of the drug occurs.

  the process of removing a drug, or its metabolites (products of metabolism), from the body
• what should an individual learn about the Measurement of drug concentrations after receiving pharmacologic therapies?

  to ensure the proper amount is taken
• What is the minimum effective concentration (MEC)?

   concentration of drug in plasma required to produce the desirable pharmacological/therapeutic response
• what is the minimum toxic concentration (MTC)

  the minimum concentration in which toxicity usually occurs
• what is a drug half-life?

  the amount of time it takes for half a dose of a drug to be eliminated from the body
• what should an individual learn about the Actions of agonist and antagonistic drugs after receiving pharmacological therapies?

  ability to bid to receptors and reduce a response
• what are some home health resources available to the mature individual to maintain pharmacological therapy?

  Pharmacy services, medication management apps.
• what are some rehabilitation system resources available to the mature individual to maintain pharmacological therapy?

  Pharmacist
• What are the steps of med aministration

  Using a computer dispensing system to remove unit - dose medication

  The nurse checks the medication against the order on the MAR

  Always check the patient’s identification and allergies before giving medications.

  Ask client to identify themselves

  Some medications require special assessment before giving such as taking an apical pulse

  Adsminster medication
• what is important in patient education related to med. administration

  knowing rotating sites, assess Instruct disposal, side effects, adverse reactions, emergency treatment & numbers.
• what are some extended care facility resources available to the mature individual to maintain pharmacological therapy?


  allows scheduled meds and teachings
• what is the therapeutic effect of drug actions?

  the intended beneficial effects of the drug
• What are the side effects of drug action?

  unwanted, usually unpleasant, effects caused by medicines
• What are the toxic effects of drug action?

  the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism
• What is an allergic reaction to drug action?

  sensitivity to a drug that can range from mild or more severe
• what are the idiosyncratic reaction to drug action?

  unusual, unexpected response to a drug that may manifest itself by overresponse, under response, or response different from the expected outcome
• describe the synergistic effect of drug action.

  combined effect of two or more drugs is greater than the effect of each drug alone
• What is the significance of drug interactions and incompatibilities? 

  drug interactions- one drug is affected in some way by another drug, a food, or another substance that is taken at the same time

  drug incompatibilities- physical and chemical reactions that occur in vitro between two or more drugs when the solutions are combined in the same syringe, tubing, or bottle