Nurs 200 - Chapter 29 - Medications

The form in which the drug is prepared may determine the route of administration. Some drugs may be prepared in only one form to be administered by a certain route. Others may be supplied in several preparations, allowing them to be given trhough various routes. One type of preparation may be desirable in a given situation (p. 770).

A drug's half-life is the amount of time it takes for 50% of the blood concentration of a drug to be eliminated from the body (p. 773)

Absorption is increased with increased blood flow. Patients with impaired ciculatory function aborb drugs LESS RAPIDLY than do patients with normal ciculatory function (p. 772).

A drug's therapeutic range is the concentration of drug in the blood serum that produces the desired effect without causing toxicity (p. 773)

Food in the stomach can delay the absorption of some medications or enhace the rate of absorption of other drugs (p. 773)

The highest plasma concentration of a drug, which is measured when absorption is complete, is known as the peak level. This measurement is important as it helps determine the maximum concentration of the drug in the body, which can be useful in determining the drug's efficacy and potential side effects. Monitoring the peak level allows healthcare professionals to adjust the dosage or frequency of administration if necessary to ensure optimal therapeutic effects.

p. 774

The trade name, also referred to as the brand name or proprietary name, is selected by the drug company that sells the drug and is protected by trademark. A drug can have several trade names when produced by different manufactureres. For example, acetaminophen (generic name) has trade names such as Tylenol, Tempra, and Liquiprin (p. 770).

p. 770, 772

Drugs given ORALLY usually take the longest to be absorbed.

The chicmial name is a precise description of the drug's chemical compostition. The chemical name identifies the drug's atomic and molecular structure using the exact chemical language and terminology (p. 770)

The KIDNEYS excrete most drugs. The LUNGS are the primary route for the excretion of gaseous substances. Many drugs are excreted through BILE in the gastrointestinal tract. Manufacturers are REQUIRED BY LAW to include information regarding implications for geriatric patients on the package inserts of certain drugs (e.g. psychotropic drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, oral hypoglycemic agents, anticoagulants, certain broad-spectrum antibiotics, and cardiac drugs) (p. 773).

Cell membranes have a fatty acid layer. A drug that is more lipid soluble can be absorbed more readily and pass more easily through the cell membrane (p. 770).

The more extensive the absorbing surface, the greater the absorption of the drug and the more rapid the effect (p. 773)

Distribution (pharmacokinetics) depends on blood flow to the tissue, the drug's ability to leave the bloodstream, and the drug's ability to enter the cells (p. 773).

Toxic effects (toxicities) are specific groups of symptoms related to drug therapy and carry a risk for permaent damage or death. They are named after the organ or body system affected by tocixity (e.g. hepatotoxicity is damage to the liveR). A cummulative effect occurs when the body cannot metabolize one dose of a drug before another dose is administered. The drug is taken in more frequently that it is excreted, and each new dose increases the total quantity in the body (p. 774)

Drug classificatiosn are groups of drugs that share similar characteristics.Drugs are classified in several ways. For example, drugs that may be classified by the effects on body systesms (e.g. drugs that affect the respiratory system and drugs that affect the cardiovascular system). Drugs are also classfied by the clinical indication for the drug or therapeutic action (e.g. analgesic, antibiotic). Drugs are ALSO classified by CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (p. 770).

The MedWatch programme proviedes a national tracking of all serious adverse drug reactions (p. 774)

Pharmacology is the study that deals with chemicals that affect the body's functioning (p. 769)

The trough level is the point when the drug is at its lowest concentration, and this specimen is usually drawn in the 30-minute interval before the next dose (p. 773)

The generic name, which identifies the drug's active ingredients, is the name assigned by the manufacturer that first develops the drug. Often, the generic name is derived from the chemical name (p. 770)

Drug absorption can be manipulated with sustained-release preparations or enteric0coated preparations. Enteric-coated preparations are resistant to the digestive action of the stomach (p. 773)

Is a feature of pharmacokinetics

The official name is the name by which the drug is identified in the official publication, United sStates Pharmacopeia and National Formulary (USP and NF). The official name is often the generic name (p. 770)

Acidic drugs are well absorbed in the stomach. Drugs that are basic remain ionized or insoluble in an acid environment. These drugs are not absorbed befor reaching the small intesine (p. 770)

The process in which the drug interacts with one or more cellular structure to alter cell function. These specialized structures are called receptor sites. The drug fits the receptor as a key fits a lock. This is an aspect of pharmacodynamics (p. 773-774)

Prescriptive authority for advance practive nurses and physician assistants varies in the degree of independence and the medications that may be prescribed from state to state (p. 769)

p. 770, 772

Drugs act at the cellular level to achieve the desired effects. The process by which drugs alter cell physiology and affect the body is called PHARMACODYNAMICS.