Introductory topics for pharmacology

Question 1

Adverse effect

Answer 1

Undesired, possibly dangerous side effect of a drug.

Question 2

Brand name vs Generic name

Answer 2

Brand: company-given (e.g., Tylenol); Generic: original development name (e.g., acetaminophen).

Question 3

Off-label use

Answer 3

Use of a drug not part of the stated indication.

Question 4

Pharmacology vs Pharmacotherapeutics

Answer 4

Pharmacology: study of chemicals’ effects; Pharmacotherapeutics: use in treating disease.

Question 5

Teratogenic

Answer 5

Drug causing harm to a developing fetus.

Question 6

Drug trial phases

Answer 6

I: Healthy volunteers; II: Actual patients; III: Larger patient group; IV: Post-marketing surveillance.

Question 7

Preclinical trials

Answer 7

Lab and animal testing before human trials.

Question 8

FDA origin

Answer 8

1906 Pure Food and Drug Act; regulates drug development/sale.

Question 9

Comprehensive Drug Abuse Act

Answer 9

1970 law controlling drug classification and distribution.

Question 10

Generic drugs

Answer 10

Same active ingredient as brand name; usually cheaper.

Question 11

Orphan drugs

Answer 11

Drugs not profitable; not adopted by companies.

Question 12

OTC drugs

Answer 12

Available without a prescription for self-treatment.

Question 13

Pharmacodynamics

Answer 13

How drugs affect the body.

Question 14

Pharmacokinetics

Answer 14

How the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs.

Question 15

Absorption

Answer 15

Drug movement from entry site to bloodstream.

Question 16

Distribution

Answer 16

Transport of drug to tissues; affected by perfusion, protein binding.

Question 17

Biotransformation

Answer 17

Drug metabolism by enzymes, mainly in liver.

Question 18

Excretion

Answer 18

Removal of drugs, mainly via kidneys.

Question 19

First-pass effect

Answer 19

Oral drugs metabolized by liver before circulation.

Question 20

Half-life

Answer 20

Time for drug amount to reduce by 50%.

Question 21

Loading dose

Answer 21

Higher initial dose to reach critical concentration quickly.

Question 22

Therapeutic index

Answer 22

Ratio of toxic to therapeutic dose.

Question 23

Passive diffusion vs Active transport

Answer 23

Passive: no energy; Active: requires energy.

Question 24

Selective toxicity

Answer 24

Targets foreign cells, e.g., antibiotics.

Question 25

Primary action

Answer 25

Extension of drug’s desired effect (e.g., bleeding from anticoagulant).

Question 26

Secondary action

Answer 26

Additional, often unwanted effect (e.g., drowsiness from antihistamines).

Question 27

Hypersensitivity

Answer 27

Immune response due to drug (allergy).

Question 28

Poisoning

Answer 28

Overdose damaging multiple systems; can be fatal.

Question 29

Superinfection

Answer 29

Loss of normal flora leads to new infection.

Question 30

Stomatitis

Answer 30

Inflamed mucous membranes from drug effects.

Question 31

Hepatotoxicity

Answer 31

Liver damage from drugs; jaundice, altered labs.

Question 32

Nephrotoxicity

Answer 32

Kidney damage; reduced output, high BUN/creatinine.

Question 33

Blood dyscrasia

Answer 33

Bone marrow suppression; low blood cells, weakness, fever.

Question 34

Nursing process steps

Answer 34

Assess, Diagnose, Plan, Intervene, Evaluate.

Question 35

Medication error prevention

Answer 35

Double check orders, educate patient, consult references.

Question 36

Patient safety and dosing

Answer 36

Dose recommendations based on 150-lb healthy adult male.

Question 37

Factors affecting dosing

Answer 37

Age, weight, sex, genetics, pathology, psychological state, environment.

Question 38

Drug interactions

Answer 38

May occur during absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, or action site.