NR 293 Pharmacology Exam 1

NR 293 Pharmacology Exam 1

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Chamberlain University

NR-293: Pharmacology for Nursing Practice

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Date

Pharmacology Exam 1

1. Medication Errors and the Six Rights of Medication Administration

Medication errors are preventable events that may result in inappropriate medication use or patient harm. To avoid these errors, healthcare professionals must adhere to the Six Rights of Medication Administration:

• Right Drug: Ensure the correct drug is given to the patient.
• Right Dose: Verify that the dosage is appropriate for the patient’s age and size.
• Right Time: Confirm the specific time of administration and the frequency of doses.
• Right Route: Always check the route of administration and review any patient allergies.
• Right Patient: Use two identifiers (e.g., full name and date of birth) to verify the patient’s identity.
• Right Documentation: Accurately document all medication administration actions and report any observations.

These rights help minimize errors and ensure the safe administration of medications.

2. Nursing Process

The nursing process is a critical framework that guides nursing practice. It consists of five essential steps:

• Assessment: Collecting patient data, including a comprehensive medication profile.
• Diagnosis: Identifying the patient’s needs based on the collected data.
• Planning: Establishing specific goals and expected outcomes for patient care.
• Implementation: Carrying out nursing actions that align with the established goals.
• Evaluation: Continuously assessing progress to ensure that goals are being met.

These steps guide nurses in providing personalized care to patients.

3. Objective and Subjective Data

Nurses must distinguish between subjective and objective data when collecting patient information:

• Subjective Data: Patient-reported symptoms such as pain, nausea, or fatigue.
• Objective Data: Observable and measurable signs such as blood pressure readings and laboratory results.

Both types of data are essential for a complete understanding of the patient’s condition.

4. Routes of Medication Administration: Advantages and Disadvantages

Different routes of medication administration have unique advantages and disadvantages. The following table summarizes the key points for various routes:

5. Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics involves four key processes that influence how drugs are handled in the body:

• Absorption: The movement of the drug from the administration site into the bloodstream.
• Distribution: The transport of the drug via the bloodstream to various tissues.
• Metabolism: The biotransformation of the drug, primarily in the liver.
• Excretion: The elimination of the drug, typically through urine, feces, or bile.

These processes determine a drug’s effectiveness and its potential side effects.

6. Pediatric Considerations for Drug Administration

When administering drugs to pediatric patients, several physiological differences must be considered:

• Absorption via intramuscular routes is often faster and more irregular.
• Children have higher body water content and less fat.
• Their liver, kidneys, and blood-brain barrier are immature, leading to altered drug metabolism and excretion.

These factors can influence the safety and efficacy of drug therapy in children.

7. Drug Classifications: Schedule C-1 to C-5

Drugs are classified into five schedules based on their potential for abuse and medical use:

• C-1: High potential for abuse, no accepted medical use (e.g., heroin).
• C-2 to C-5: Decreasing potential for abuse with increasing medical applications.

8. Telephone Orders

Telephone orders should be handled carefully to ensure patient safety:

• The prescriber must sign the order within 24 hours.
• These orders are often used in emergency situations.
• Abbreviations should not be used to prevent confusion.

9. Erikson’s Stages of Development

Understanding Erikson’s stages of development is essential for providing age-appropriate care at each stage of life.

10. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications: Advantages and Disadvantages

OTC medications have several advantages, such as being affordable and easy to use, but they also come with potential disadvantages:

11. Medication Use Terms

Medications can be used in different contexts:

• Empiric: Treatment given before obtaining diagnostic information.
• Definitive: First clinical intervention targeting a diagnosed condition.
• Prophylactic: Preventive treatment, such as for planned procedures.
• Palliative: Focuses on symptom relief and comfort.
• Maintenance: Prevents the progression of chronic conditions like hypertension.

12. Synergistic Effect

A synergistic effect occurs when the combined effects of two drugs exceed the sum of their individual effects, enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

13. Vancomycin

Vancomycin is a bactericidal antibiotic primarily used for treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other gram-positive infections. It has poor oral absorption, so it is typically administered intravenously. Peak levels range from 18 to 50 mcg/mL, and trough levels should be between 10 and 20 mcg/mL.

14. Antiviral Drugs

Antiviral medications work by inhibiting viral replication or destroying virions. These drugs are most effective when used alongside the body’s immune response, particularly in immunocompetent patients.

15. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum quinolone antibiotic used against a variety of bacteria, including those that cause anthrax. It has excellent bioavailability and is effective against organisms like Chlamydia and Mycoplasma.

16. Ginkgo

Ginkgo, an herbal remedy, is used to treat dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and fatigue. However, it can interact with anticoagulants, increasing bleeding risk, and may cause seizures in large doses.

17. Peak and Trough Levels

Peak levels represent the highest concentration of a drug in the bloodstream, typically measured 30 minutes after administration. Trough levels are the lowest concentration, measured just before the next dose.

18. Quinolones and Adverse Effects

Quinolones are bactericidal antibiotics known for their excellent oral absorption, but their effectiveness is reduced by antacids. Common adverse effects include headaches, nausea, vomiting, and tendonitis.

19. Zidovudine (Retrovir)

Zidovudine (AZT) is an antiretroviral drug used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. It is particularly effective in preventing maternal-to-fetal HIV transmission.

20. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor used to treat influenza A and B. It is most effective when administered within 48 hours of symptom onset.

21. Aminoglycosides

Aminoglycosides are potent antibiotics used to treat gram-negative bacterial infections. They are effective but carry risks of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). Nursesbooks.org.

NR 293 Pharmacology Exam 1

Pharmacology for Nursing Care. (2023). Pharmacology for Nursing Care (10th ed.). Elsevier.