NURS 255 Exam 9 (Objectives)

Question 1

Onset (minimum effective concentration -Definition)

Answer 1

The time between drug administration and when therapeutic effects are felt

Question 2

Peak (Definition)

Answer 2

When the concentration of medication in the blood is highest (when drug effects are their greatest)

Question 3

Duration (Definition)

Answer 3

The length of time that a drug produces its therapeutic effects for

Question 4

Therapeutic level (Definition)

Answer 4

The blood concentration of a drug that is enough to exhibit therapeutic effects without toxicity

Question 5

Peak level (Definition)

Answer 5

The highest blood serum level that a drug can achieve

Question 6

Trough level (Definition)

Answer 6

The serum concentration of a drug immediately before the next dose is administered.

Question 7

Biological half life (Definition)

Answer 7

The time it takes for half a drugs concentration to disappear naturally

Question 8

Drug interaction (Definition)

Answer 8

The process of food, drinks or other drugs interfering with the mechanism of action of a drug

Question 9

Antagonistic drug relationship (Definition)

Answer 9

The process of one drug blocking another from performing its effects

Question 10

Synergistic drug relationship (Definition)

Answer 10

The process of two drugs or a drug and a substance working together to potentiate the effects of each other

Question 11

Drug incompatibility (Definition)

Answer 11

When a drug and a substance interact with one another and affect their stability, efficacy or safety.

Question 12

Medication contraindications (Definition)

Answer 12

An interaction between a drug and another drug or condition that may be life threatening for the individual.

Question 13

Why shouldn’t the dorsogluteal site be used as an injection site?

Answer 13

• Because of the presence of nerves and blood vessels in the area that may be damaged by injections.

Question 14

What is drug tolerance?

Answer 14

An insensitivity to a drug usually from excessive use

Question 15

What is drug misuse?

Answer 15

The nonspecific indiscriminate or improper use of drugs including alcohol, OTC, and prescription drugs. (MORE UNINTENTIONAL)

Question 16

What is drug abuse?

Answer 16

The inappropriate intake of substance by amount, type or situation, continuously or periodically. (having alcohol is acceptable at some occasions but not others)

Question 17

What is metabolism when it comes to drugs?

Answer 17

It is the chemical inactivation of a drug through its conversion into a more water soluble compound or into metabolites.

Question 18

What are the 4 ways drugs can be excreted through the body?

Answer 18

• Kidneys
• Liver/GI tract
• Lungs
• Exocrine glands

Question 19

What factors affect drug absorption?

Answer 19

• Bioavailability
• Route of administration
• Solubility of the drug
• pH and ionization in the body
• Blood flow to the area

Question 20

What is a primary effect? (And the 5 types of effects it encompasses?)

Answer 20

The prescribed intended effects of a medication
- Palliative effects
- Supportive effects
- Substitutive effects
- Chemotherapeutic effects
- Restorative effects

Question 21

What are secondary effects? (And the 5 types of effects it encompasses?)

Answer 21

The unintended effects of a medication
- Side effects
- Adverse reactions
- Toxic reactions
- Allergic reactions
- Idiosyncratic reactions

Question 22

What are cumulative effects?

Answer 22

The increased response to repeated doses of a drug that occurs when the rate of administration is greater than the rate of metabolism.

Question 23

What are nurses legally required to do if a prescription is incorrect?

Answer 23

• Look up medications and verify
• Ask another nurse or provider
• Contact the prescriber for clarifications

Question 24

What 4 things should be assessed before giving medications?

Answer 24

• Measure vital signs
• Assess whether the patients general condition is appropriate
• Research the drug
• Identify biological factors that affect drug metabolism

Question 25

What 4 things should be assessed while administering medications?

Answer 25

- Mental status - Coordination - Ability to self administer - Swallowing

Question 26

What 3 things should be assessed after giving a drug?

Answer 26

- Effectiveness of the drug - Side effects - Signs of adverse reaction or toxicity

Question 27

What should not be done when a medication error is made?

Answer 27

Do not report it in the patients record

Question 28

What 6 things are important about patient self medication to teach?

Answer 28

- Know and understand what you are taking - Take the drug as prescribed - Communicate with your prescriber - Administer your drugs correctly - Store your drugs safely - Maintain your supply

Question 29

When should each of the three checks of medications be done?

Answer 29

1. Before pouring the medication 2. After you prepare the medication 3. At the bedside before administering

Question 30

What are the 5 rights of medications?

Answer 30

- Right drug - Right dose - Right time - Right route - Right patient

Question 31

What 2 things need to be remembered about preventing needle stick injuries?

Answer 31

- Never recap a contaminated needle - Use reaping devices if you must with a sterile needle

Question 32

What are the 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of using intradermal injections?

Answer 32

- Most rapid absorption - Highly effective - Causes patient anxiety - Spinal route can cause nausea or headache

Question 33

What are the advantages to oral medications?

Answer 33

- Convenient - Sterility is not needed - Economical - Noninvasive - Easy to administer - Capsule can mask taste - Capsule can be time released

Question 34

What are the disadvantages of oral medications?

Answer 34

- Unpleasant taste - Irritation - Must be concious - May be destroyed by digestive tract - Can't be used with difficulty swallowing - Potential for aspirations - May be harmful for teeth - Onset is slow

Question 35

What are the disadvantages and advantages of eternal medications

Answer 35

- Can be used for patients with swallowing impairment - Not all tablets or capsules can be crushed - NG tube itself presents some risk of aspiration

Question 36

What are the advantages of sublingual medications?

Answer 36

- Used for local and systemic effects - Convenient - Sterility not needed - Quick delivery to general circulation - Bypasses stomach and intestines

Question 37

What are the disadvantages of sublingual medications?

Answer 37

- May be accidentally swallowed - Not useful for unpleasant tasting drugs - May irritate the oral mucosa - Patient must be conscious - Useful for highly lipid soluble drugs only - Patient has to hold drug for some time - Limited period of effectiveness (frequent redoses)

Question 38

What are the advantages and disadvantages of buccal medications?

Answer 38

- same as sublingual

Question 39

What are the advantages of topical medications?

Answer 39

- Continuous dosing - Sterility not needed - For local or systemic effects - Long acting systemic effects - Useful if patient is unable to take oral medications - Acceptable to most patients

Question 40

What are the disadvantages of topical medications?

Answer 40

- Only work with lipid soluble drugs - May cause local irritation if allergic to latex or tape - Discarded patches may poison - Leaves residue on skin - Accurate doses can be difficult to obtain when the drug is in a tube or jar

Question 41

What are the benefits of IM injections?

Answer 41

- Rapid absorption, apart from oily preparations - allows use of drugs that are not stable in solution - Causes less pain from irritating drugs - Allows administration of larger volumes - Allows more rapid absorption

Question 42

What are the disadvantages of IM injections?

Answer 42

- May cause irritation - Poses risk for nerve and tissue damage - Cannot be used where tissue is damaged

Question 43

What are the 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of sub-Q injections?

Answer 43

- Allows faster action than oral medications - Allows better absorption of lipid soluble drugs - Only small amounts can be given - Absorption is relatively slow

Question 44

What agency monitors drugs?

Answer 44

The FDA

Question 45

What are the 3 acts that regulate drugs in the nation?

Answer 45

- Harrison act: Regulates drugs that cause dependence - Durham-Humphery: states which drugs require prescription - Comprehensive drug abuse prevention and control act: regulates the sale and distribution of controlled substances

Question 46

What are the 5 classes of controlled substances?

Answer 46

- I: High potential for abuse and no medical use - II: High potential for abuse but medical use - III: Low physical but high psychological abuse - IV: Mild physical and psychological abuse - V: Low physical and psychological abuse

Question 47

What are the 2 techniques that are often used to help with safe medication administration?

Answer 47

- Use the 3 identifiers - Use the 5 rights of medications?