Principals of prescribing Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is pharmacology?
The study of substances that interact with living systems through chemical processes, especially by binding to regulatory molecules and activating or inhibiting normal body processes.
It embraces knowledge of sources, chemical properties, biological effects, and therapeutic uses of drugs.
What does a medicine contain?
One or more drugs, administered with the intention of producing a therapeutic effect, and usually other substances such as excipients, stabilisers, solvents, etc.
This definition emphasizes the complexity of medicinal formulations.
Define potency in pharmacology.
The concentration of a drug required to produce an effect.
The more potent the drug, the lower the dose required to produce a given effect.
What is selectivity in the context of drugs?
The ability of a drug to act on specific receptors, cellular processes, or tissue.
Selective drugs generally have fewer adverse effects.
What is specificity in pharmacology?
The relationship between the chemical structure of a drug and its pharmacological activities.
List the three types of drug nomenclature.
- Chemical name
- Generic name/Approved name (Active Ingredient)
- Brand name/trade name
Each type serves a different purpose, from describing chemical structure to being a proprietary name assigned by manufacturers.
What information do patients want to know about drugs?
- Indication
- Risks and benefits
- Route of administration
- Available treatment options
- Consequence of missing the dose and treatment
What are the classifications of medications in Australia?
Medications are classified into 10 schedules based on:
* Potential toxicity
* Dose
* Potential for abuse
* The ingredient it contains
* Dosage forms
* The need for access to the drug
What are the seven rights of medication administration?
- Right patient
- Right drug/form
- Right dose
- Right route
- Right frequency
- Right time
- Right diagnosis
The right to refuse is also considered.
What are the key aspects of quality use of medicines?
- Selecting management options wisely
- Using medicine safely and effectively
- Choosing suitable medicine if it is considered necessary
What is adherence in drug therapy?
The extent that the patient complies with agreed recommendations, including administering the drug according to six rights and following all therapeutic advice.
True or False: Off-label prescribing is when a drug is prescribed for an indication not included in the approved product information document.
True
What are the ethical aspects of prescribing?
- Legally sound
- Clinically important
- Ethically appropriate
Define over-the-counter medications.
Drugs with a wide therapeutic index used for minor illness without requiring a prescription.
What are complementary and alternative therapies?
Healthcare not practiced in scientific (Western) medicine, used for various disorders, with safety and efficacy not well investigated.
Fill in the blank: A medicine is administered with the intention of producing a _______.
[therapeutic effect]
What factors modify responses to drugs?
- Pharmacokinetic factors
- Pharmacodynamic factors
- Adherence
What is the role of NPs in Quality Use of Medicines (QUM)?
- Ensuring safe and reliable administration of drugs
- Monitoring adverse reactions
- Assessing the patient and taking a drug history
- Noting the prescription, checking dosage and calculations
- Identifying drug therapy problems
What must a prescription be?
Clear, concise, and correct, ensuring the seven rights.
