Pharm Final (Blueprint) Flashcards
(114 cards)
What are the four main pharmacokinetic (PK) phase and what occurs during each phase?
🔶 Absorption.
* Movement of the meds into the blood stream via the (veins).
🔶 Distribution.
* Movement of the meds from the blood into the tissue and cells via the (Heart).
🔶 Metabolism
* Change in the drug structure (Liver)
🔶 Excretion
* Movement out of the body (Kidney)
Define pharmacodynamics (PD) and explain how it differs from Pharmacokinetics.
- Pharmacodynamics - “This is how a drug works in the body.”
- Pharmacokinetics - “The movement of drugs.”
How does proteins binding affect the distribution and action of a drug in the body?
- By changing the effective concentration of the drug at its site of action.
- By changing the rate at which the drug is eliminated,
What is the first-pass effect and how does it influence the bioavailability of a drug?
🔶 These are meds that are metabolized in the liver after being absorbed into the portal circulation from the small intestines.
* Levothyroxine
* Esomeprazole
* Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
What are the key steps in the nursing process when administering medications?
- Assessment
- Analysis (or Nursing Diagnosis)
- Planning
- Implementation
- Evaluation
List at least three patient identifiers that should be used when giving medications to ensure patient safety?
- The patient’s :-
* Name
* Birthday
* Assigned ID number (Medical Record number)
* Telephone number
* Photo ID
When should medication reconciliation be performed?
- Medication reconciliation is done every time a patient is transferred from one level of care to another.
Eg. (ICU to Step down) or (Med surg to ICU) or (Admission and Discharge)
What are the common signs and symptoms of Anaphylaxis?
- Rash
- Hives
- Hypotension
- Blocking of the airway
How do we manage Anaphylaxis in an emergency situation?
- Give epinephrine.
- Maintain the airway.
- Monitor the client very closely.
Describe the typical Anticholinergic effects of certain medications?
- Anticholinergic medications interferes with the system making it hard for the body to enter the “Rest and Digest” mode.
- Can’t see
- Can’t spit
- Can’t pee
- Can’t defecate
List the medications that cause Anticholinergic effects.
- Benztropine
- Trihexyphenidyl
- TCA
What are the risk factors for Drug-induced hepatotoxicity and how can it be detected?
- They can be detected through signs and symptoms of Liver failure:- “JAUNDICE”
* Jaundice * Anorexia * Upper abdominal pain * Nausea / Vomiting / Diarrhea * Dark urine * Increased need of sleep * Clay stool (Grayish) * Ecchymosis (Irritated skin) -
- They can be detected through the lab results:-
* AST
* ALT
Explain the signs of CNS depression?
- Bradycardia
- Decreased respirations
- Extreme confusion/ memory loss.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Poor judgment.
- Blue lips or fingertips.
- Irritability and aggression.
- Clammy or cold skin.
What are the potential consequences of overdosing on CNS depressant drugs?
- Can decrease respirations or even stop the breathing.
- Can increase the risk of falling in older adults
- Decreased heart rate.
- Loss of consciousness
- Can leading to coma or death.
What is Orthostatic Hypotension?
- Its when you move from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and gravity pulls much of the blood to the lower extremities.
How can we manage Orthostatic Hypotension?
- Change positions slowly.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Wear support hose.
Define polypharmacy and explain its potential risks, particularly for elderly patients.
- Polypharmacy - Is when older adults take alot of drugs (more than one).
- Potential risks for polypharmacy include:-
* Toxicity
* drug interaction
Who does the Medication reconciliation?
- The Doctors do the reconciliation.
(The nurse only makes sure that the doctors have done it.)
How do age-related changes in pharmacokinetics affect drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in geriatric and pediatric patients?
🔶 The aging process causes the liver and kidney function to decline.
- Naturally, this usually means dosages should be decreased.
🔶 The pediatric, their organs (Kidneys & livers ) are under developed, that affects the pharmacokinetics process.
Explain the purpose of the Beers Criteria.
🔶 Beers Criteria
- Is a helpful resource that specifies which drugs are most dangerous to older adults and provides a succinct rationale (American Geriatrics Society, 2019).
Describe the basic structure and function of a neuron.
- The neurons sending and receiving neurotransmitters (chemicals that carry information between brain cells.)
Explain the role of synapses in neuronal communication.
- They connect neurons
- They help transmit information from one neuron to the next.
Describe the process of neurotransmitter release, reuptake, and degradation.
🔶 Reuptake.
- This is where the neurotransmitters are sucked back inside the presynaptic terminal where they can be recycles for future use.
🔶 Degradation.
- The brain makes enzymes that break apart neurotransmitters.
Explain the mechanism of action mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
- These drugs, as their name states, are very selective.
- SSRIs only block serotonin reuptake pumps.
- This only increase levels of serotonin in the brain.