NUR 2474 PHARMACOLOGY FOR
PROFESSIONAL NURSING FINAL EXAM
PREPARATION PACK 2026 KEY CONCEPTS
AND REVISION NOTES
◉ Root Cause Analysis.
Answer: Investigation to identify underlying causes of errors
◉ Sentinel Event.
Answer: Unexpected occurrence involving death or serious injury
◉ Medication Administration Errors (MAEs).
Answer: Any failure in one or more of the five rights
◉ Five Rights of Medication Administration.
Answer: Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Time, Right
Route
◉ High-Alert Medications.
Answer: Can cause significant harm if given in error
,◉ Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs.
Answer: Examples include Ephedrine - Epinephrine, Diazepam -
Diltiazem
◉ Health Literacy.
Answer: Ability to understand, access, evaluate, and use health
information
◉ Complementary and Alternative Therapies.
Answer: Include botanicals, nutritional products, herbal
supplements
◉ Chemotherapeutic Drugs.
Answer: Used to destroy invading organisms and abnormal cells
◉ Bactericidal.
Answer: Kills bacteria directly
◉ Bacteriostatic.
Answer: Inhibits growth/reproduction, relies on immune system
◉ Immunocompromised Patients.
, Answer: At higher risk for infections when taking anti-infectives:
Elderly and infants, Transplant recipients, Patients on
immunosuppressants, Cancer or blood disorders, HIV/AIDS,
Malnourished patients, Pregnant women
◉ Development of Resistance.
Answer: Microorganisms develop resistance by: Producing enzymes
that deactivate the drug (e.g., penicillinase), Preventing drug entry
into the cell, Altering binding sites, Producing chemical antagonists
to the drug
◉ Preventing Resistance.
Answer: Use around-the-clock dosing (every 8 hours, not TID), Do
NOT use antibiotics for viral infections, Take full course as
prescribed, Ensure doses are high enough and long enough, Use
narrow-spectrum when possible
◉ Treatment of Systemic Infections.
Answer: Step 1: Identification via culture (blood, urine, wound, etc.),
Step 2: Sensitivity testing (may start broad-spectrum first, then
switch), Step 3: Consider combination therapy
◉ Common Adverse Effects.
Answer: Kidney Damage: Many metabolized in kidneys - ensure
adequate hydration, GI Toxicity: N/V, stomach upset, diarrhea, Liver
PROFESSIONAL NURSING FINAL EXAM
PREPARATION PACK 2026 KEY CONCEPTS
AND REVISION NOTES
◉ Root Cause Analysis.
Answer: Investigation to identify underlying causes of errors
◉ Sentinel Event.
Answer: Unexpected occurrence involving death or serious injury
◉ Medication Administration Errors (MAEs).
Answer: Any failure in one or more of the five rights
◉ Five Rights of Medication Administration.
Answer: Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Time, Right
Route
◉ High-Alert Medications.
Answer: Can cause significant harm if given in error
,◉ Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs.
Answer: Examples include Ephedrine - Epinephrine, Diazepam -
Diltiazem
◉ Health Literacy.
Answer: Ability to understand, access, evaluate, and use health
information
◉ Complementary and Alternative Therapies.
Answer: Include botanicals, nutritional products, herbal
supplements
◉ Chemotherapeutic Drugs.
Answer: Used to destroy invading organisms and abnormal cells
◉ Bactericidal.
Answer: Kills bacteria directly
◉ Bacteriostatic.
Answer: Inhibits growth/reproduction, relies on immune system
◉ Immunocompromised Patients.
, Answer: At higher risk for infections when taking anti-infectives:
Elderly and infants, Transplant recipients, Patients on
immunosuppressants, Cancer or blood disorders, HIV/AIDS,
Malnourished patients, Pregnant women
◉ Development of Resistance.
Answer: Microorganisms develop resistance by: Producing enzymes
that deactivate the drug (e.g., penicillinase), Preventing drug entry
into the cell, Altering binding sites, Producing chemical antagonists
to the drug
◉ Preventing Resistance.
Answer: Use around-the-clock dosing (every 8 hours, not TID), Do
NOT use antibiotics for viral infections, Take full course as
prescribed, Ensure doses are high enough and long enough, Use
narrow-spectrum when possible
◉ Treatment of Systemic Infections.
Answer: Step 1: Identification via culture (blood, urine, wound, etc.),
Step 2: Sensitivity testing (may start broad-spectrum first, then
switch), Step 3: Consider combination therapy
◉ Common Adverse Effects.
Answer: Kidney Damage: Many metabolized in kidneys - ensure
adequate hydration, GI Toxicity: N/V, stomach upset, diarrhea, Liver
