NUR 100 final exam study guide
questions and answers
agonist vs antagonist - Answer-Agonist = "Booster"
mimic/enhance drug action
E.g. Albuterol stimulates
beta receptors in lung to relax
smooth muscle
Antagonist = "Blocker"
Prevents drug action
E.g. Antihistamines block histamine receptors
Pharmacodynamics vs. Pharmacokinetics - Answer-Pharmacodynamics 1
How drug affects body
Chemical interactions
Interaction when taking more than 1 drug
Watch for drug compatibility
Combination may produce a different response (e.g. Iron interferes with absorption of
levothyroxine)
Pharmacodynamics 2
Drug-receptor interactions:
Agonist = "Booster"
mimic/enhance drug action
E.g. Albuterol stimulates
beta receptors in lung to relax
smooth muscle
Antagonist = "Blocker"
Prevents drug action
E.g. Antihistamines block histamine receptors
Pharmacokinetics
How body affects drug
Absorption
Drugs must be absorbed into bloodstream
Distribution
Drugs carried to target cells/sites/organs
Metabolism
Drugs broken down - mostly in liver
Excretion
Drugs removed from body - mostly by kidney or feces
, Clinical Trials and purpeses - Answer-Clinical Trials 1
Pre-clinical testing
In animals look at toxicity & possible useful effects
Phase I
20-80 healthy human volunteers
Assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics
Phase II
100-300 patients with targeted problem
Assess how well drug works on the actual medical problem
Study dosage range & effectiveness
Clinical Trials 2
Phase III
Randomized controlled trials comparing effectiveness of new drug vs current "gold
standard" treatment
Must be at least as effective as current drug. CAN'T be less
Phase IV
Surveillance of safety after marketed/sold
**Some drugs get accelerated approval (e.g. meds for AIDS, Cancer... ) because they
are so desperately needed
Early approval given even if benefits are marginal
Willing to risk unknown side effects
May skip Phase IV & be approved at Phase III with understanding that rigorous follow
up studies must be done.
Trade or Brand vs. Generic - Answer-Trade or Brand - Name given by company with
original patent
E.g. - Tylenol
Generic - may be produced by other companies after patent is done
E.g. - Acetaminophen
The 6 Rights of Med administration EVERY TIME! - Answer-Right patient
Right drug
Right time
Right dose
Right route
Right reason
Adverse Effects - Answer-Side effect
Drug Schedules for Controlled Substances - Answer-Schedule I
High abuse & dependence potential without accepted medical use (Heroin)
questions and answers
agonist vs antagonist - Answer-Agonist = "Booster"
mimic/enhance drug action
E.g. Albuterol stimulates
beta receptors in lung to relax
smooth muscle
Antagonist = "Blocker"
Prevents drug action
E.g. Antihistamines block histamine receptors
Pharmacodynamics vs. Pharmacokinetics - Answer-Pharmacodynamics 1
How drug affects body
Chemical interactions
Interaction when taking more than 1 drug
Watch for drug compatibility
Combination may produce a different response (e.g. Iron interferes with absorption of
levothyroxine)
Pharmacodynamics 2
Drug-receptor interactions:
Agonist = "Booster"
mimic/enhance drug action
E.g. Albuterol stimulates
beta receptors in lung to relax
smooth muscle
Antagonist = "Blocker"
Prevents drug action
E.g. Antihistamines block histamine receptors
Pharmacokinetics
How body affects drug
Absorption
Drugs must be absorbed into bloodstream
Distribution
Drugs carried to target cells/sites/organs
Metabolism
Drugs broken down - mostly in liver
Excretion
Drugs removed from body - mostly by kidney or feces
, Clinical Trials and purpeses - Answer-Clinical Trials 1
Pre-clinical testing
In animals look at toxicity & possible useful effects
Phase I
20-80 healthy human volunteers
Assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics
Phase II
100-300 patients with targeted problem
Assess how well drug works on the actual medical problem
Study dosage range & effectiveness
Clinical Trials 2
Phase III
Randomized controlled trials comparing effectiveness of new drug vs current "gold
standard" treatment
Must be at least as effective as current drug. CAN'T be less
Phase IV
Surveillance of safety after marketed/sold
**Some drugs get accelerated approval (e.g. meds for AIDS, Cancer... ) because they
are so desperately needed
Early approval given even if benefits are marginal
Willing to risk unknown side effects
May skip Phase IV & be approved at Phase III with understanding that rigorous follow
up studies must be done.
Trade or Brand vs. Generic - Answer-Trade or Brand - Name given by company with
original patent
E.g. - Tylenol
Generic - may be produced by other companies after patent is done
E.g. - Acetaminophen
The 6 Rights of Med administration EVERY TIME! - Answer-Right patient
Right drug
Right time
Right dose
Right route
Right reason
Adverse Effects - Answer-Side effect
Drug Schedules for Controlled Substances - Answer-Schedule I
High abuse & dependence potential without accepted medical use (Heroin)
