Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Pathophysiology of ill-health > Pharmacology > Flashcards

Pharmacology Flashcards

(52 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Directly related to section X of assessment

A

section 2! 20%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Medicines management - Definition and Reference

How common are medication errors?

A

A term defined by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as:

“The clinical, cost-effective and safe use of medicines to ensure patients get the maximum benefit from the medicines they need, while at the same time minimising potential harm.”

Medication errors are second most reported accident

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Accountability? 2 x ref

A

Legal Accountability - medicines Act

Trust Policy / Employment - NMC as regulator

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Medication Legistlation

A

Medicines Act 1868
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Safe custody act

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What Medicines Management legislation is there?

A

Used to be NMC The Standards of Medicines Management 2007… (lots of things covered by NMC code of conduct)

…withdrawn in Jan 2019.

Replaced with:

Royal Pharmaceuticals Society’s:
- A competency framework for all Prescribers

NMC:
- Standards for Prescribing Programmes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What Medicines Management legislation in healthcare settings is there?

A

Professional Guidance on the Administration of Medicines in Healthcare Settings - Royal Pharmaceutical Society

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

NMC Code relating to medicines?

A
  1. 2 Manintain the knowledge and skills you need for safe and effective practice
  2. 5 Complete the necessary training….

18.2 keep to appropriate guidelines when giving advice on using controlled drugs…

….Many many

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Aspects of Professional Practice

A

Recognition of role and responsibilities

Level of knowledge and experience…

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What factors affect drug administration?

A 
Age
Weight
Underlying disease / pathology 
Amount of drug given
Absorption and excretion rate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Most drugs have 3 x names

A

Generic
Brand
Chemical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Pharmacology

A

Pharmakon - drug
ology - the study of

Looks at composition, effects and uses of drugs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Drug

A

Any chemical which affects living organism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Pharmacodynamics

A

Action of drug - qualitatively and quantitatively

Mechanism which drugs have on body -

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Receptor Theory - what is it?

A

Lock and Key mechanism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Signal Pathway

e.g. how does adrenaline increase your heart rate

A 
Signal molecule (ligand)
Receptor
Intra-cellular signal
Target protein
Response
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Adrenaline is key, lock is?

A

Alpha and beta receptors in the heart

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Receptors

A

Glycoproteins that recognise and bind to ligands (e.g. adrenaline)

Ligands are smaller molecules which can attach to

Receptors change their shape in response to

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

signalling molecule Binding to receptor -?

A

Changes the shape of the receptor

Generates biochemical reactions inside the cell (Signal Transduction) leading to several reactions called ‘secondary messengers’ that is eventually translated into a biological response (e.g. muscle contraction, hormone sectretion)

The more receptors involved, the bigger the response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Pharmacokinetics

A

Movement of drugs inside the body.

ADME - Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

ADME

A

Absorption
Distribution
Metabolism
Excretion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Drug absorption

Study These Flashcards
A

Most drugs given orally

In most routes absorption has to happen for the drug to access body compartments

Exceptions are parental routes

Drugs have to cross membranes to gain access

chemical nature determines how absorption can occur

22
Q

Name as many routes of administration

Study These Flashcards
A 
Sublingual
Oral
Intramuscular
Intravenous (quickest)
Ocular
Subcutaneous
23
Q

Absorption - Active Transport

Study These Flashcards
A

Requires ATP to move drug from lower concentration to a higher concentration. Moves across cellular barriers against the concentration gradient.

24
Q

Absorption - Passive Diffusion

Study These Flashcards
A

Moves from higher concentration to lower concentration

25
What other drug factors impact absorption of drugs?
Chemical size pH Solubility of drug Surface area for absorption (e.g. villi/microvilli of intestinal tract) Vascularity Presence or absence of food in stomach Presence of enzymes, acidity, bacteria etc
26
Most drugs are distributed by:
Diffusion - drug state must allow for this Adolf Fick
27
Drug distribution
Small molecules absorbes easier Acid drugs in acid medium Base drugs in base medicum Cell membranes are mainly lipid (fatty) materials - only lipid-like substances (lipophilic) substances cross easily ad rapidly Most drugs act on receptors - typically protein
28
Distribution Blood-tissues - depends on?
Factors needed for absorption Affinity to bind with carrier/buffer proteins e.g. albumin and globulin-saturation-buffer MORE MISSED
29
Metabolism
Drug metabolising enzymes have evolutionary defense CYP450 and enzymes - make drugs water soluable to be excreted in urine Chemical modifications increase / decrease pharmacological activity and or half life
30
Routes of elimination
``` Hair Saliva Milk Sweat Skin Alveolar Bilary- ? Renal Faecal ```
31
Agonist e.g. drug?
When a drug stimulates a receptor Binds to receptor protein Produce confirmational change Enhance biological response e.g. adrenaline acts on beta 2 receptors in lungs, bronchodilator
32
Antagonist e.g. drug?
When a drug blocks a receptor Binds to receptor No confirmational change to initiate intracellular signal. Morphine activates morphine receptors -kappa delta receptors Naloxone blocks receptors for morphine
33
Affinity
Tenancity with which a drug binds to a receptor
34
Routes of elimination
``` Hair Saliva Milk Sweat Skin Alveolar Bilary- ? Renal Faecal ``` Majority of drugs are excreted unchanged or as metabolites in urine or bile e.g. alchol detected via breath
35
Potency
Amount of drug required to produce an effect of given intensity
36
'First Pass' Metabolism?
Relates to the liver Most substances that are absorbed throughy GI tract are taken to portal system- includes drugs The subs are taken to liver for processing, stoarge or metabolised Some drugs metabolised so well that cannot be given orally - GTN (96% destroyed in liver) LEARN MORE
37
96% of this drug is destroyed in liver
GTN | broncho...?
38
Blood Brain Barrier
400 miles of capillaries and veins safeguarded epithelial cells between capillaries and brain - very tightly packed, creating a barrier blocks movement of certain substances e.g. urea, creatinine
39
Cerebral capillaries - how different from body capillaries?
Endithelial cells are close together creating barrier Can't pass - urea, creatinine, red cells, white cells, protein Can - oxygen, glucose, alcohol, nicotine, lipid soluble amino acids
40
What opens up BBB?
``` trauma infection microwaves radiation hypertension ```
41
Other bodily barriers?
Placental - most drugs cross this | Testicular - little understood
42
Drug Half Life
Time taken for concentration to decrease by half Morphine has short half life Adrenaline has very very smol half life -
43
Bioavailability
The proportion of the drug which reaches the circulation IV drugs - Bioavailability of 100% Swallowed? - only a proportion Has to pass through GI system, liver, before reaches circulatory system
44
Bioavailability
The proportion of the drug which reaches the circulation IV drugs - Bioavailability of 100% Swallowed? - only a proportion Has to pass through GI system, liver, before reaches circulatory system
45
Steady State
Maintain a consistent concentration of a drug Half life of 48 hours - 2 weeks to take a steady state Half life of 2 hours - less than a day 'Loading dose' often used to achieve a steady state For all drugs there is a minimum effective concentration and maximum safe concentration e.g. taking antibiotics consistently to allow steady state
46
Therapeutic Index
Ratio of a drug that produced toxicity to a dose that provides a clinically desired or effective response Large index - wide margin to reach toxic levels e.g. penecillin Small index - toxic levels reached very quickly e.g. warfarin Individual patient variation more likely in drugs with a smaller index as effective and toxic plasma concentrations are similar
47
Measuring drug levels frequently - why? e.g.?
Likely to have a small therapeutic index e.g. lithium, warfarin
48
How do drugs work?
RECEPTOR THEORY - receptors that determine and detect presence of specific drugs and initiate or inhibit an action. This can be blocked by another drug or chemical ANTIMETABOLITES - closely resemble substances required for cell metabolism and nutrition ENZYME INHIBITOR - drugs interfere with action of body enzymes therefore preventing certain chemical processes and reactions from occuring ACTION ON CELL MEMBRANES - interfere with chemical activity of cell membrane and function REPLACEMENT OF DEFICIENCIES - here drugs replace a dietary factor or hormone essential for normal fucntion CYTOTOXIC EFFECTS - used to kill bacteria or malignant cells without undue harm to other cells. Interference with cell activity may occur and multiplication stopped - antibiotics
49
How do drugs work?
RECEPTOR THEORY - receptors that determine and detect presence of specific drugs and initiate or inhibit an action. This can be blocked by another drug or chemical ANTIMETABOLITES - closely resemble substances required for cell metabolism and nutrition ENZYME INHIBITOR - drugs interfere with action of body enzymes therefore preventing certain chemical processes and reactions from occuring ACTION ON CELL MEMBRANES - interfere with chemical activity of cell membrane and function REPLACEMENT OF DEFICIENCIES - here drugs replace a dietary factor or hormone essential for normal fucntion CYTOTOXIC EFFECTS - used to kill bacteria or malignant cells without undue harm to other cells. Interference with cell activity may occur and multiplication stopped - antibiotics
50
Total Body Clearance
Combo of liver and kidney action Liver assists clearing by metabolising and or excreting drugs through bile. Drugs can therefore be excreted in faeces or reabsorhed within the liver to be excreted via the kidney. In certain instances, lungs are the main organs for elimination
51
Patients with kidney or liver problems?
Often take lower doses as the drugs remain in the system for longer than normal.
52
Total Body Clearance
Combo of liver and kidney action Liver assists clearing by metabolising and or excreting drugs through bile. Drugs can therefore be excreted in faeces or reabsorbed within the liver to be excreted via the kidney. In certain instances, lungs are the main organs for elimination

Pathophysiology of ill-health (16 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions