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ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam Cheat Sheet
General Principles of Pharmacology
Rights of Medication Administration
• The rights of medication administration ensure patient
safety and effective treatment. They include:
• Right Patient: Confirm patient identity using two
identifiers.
• Right Drug: Verify the medication against the prescription.
• Right Dose: Calculate the correct dosage based on patient
factors.
• Right Route: Administer the medication via the prescribed
route (oral, IV, etc.).
• Right Time: Administer medications at the correct times to
maintain therapeutic levels.
• Right Documentation: Record administration details
accurately to ensure continuity of care.
Key Pharmacological Concepts
• Therapeutic Index: A measure of drug safety; a narrow
therapeutic index indicates a higher risk of toxicity (e.g.,
digoxin, lithium, warfarin).
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• Half-life: The time required for the concentration of a drug
in the body to reduce to half its initial value, crucial for
determining dosing intervals.
• Peak and Trough Levels:
•
o Peak: The highest concentration of a drug in the
bloodstream, associated with toxicity risk.
o Trough: The lowest concentration, indicating the
drug's effectiveness before the next dose.
Key Drug Categories
Cardiovascular Medications
• ACE Inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril): Common side effects
include cough, angioedema, and hyperkalemia.
• Beta Blockers (e.g., metoprolol): Can cause bradycardia
and fatigue; they may mask hypoglycemia symptoms in
diabetic patients.
• Calcium Channel Blockers (e.g., amlodipine): Side effects
include peripheral edema and hypotension.
• Diuretics:
•
ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam Cheat Sheet
General Principles of Pharmacology
Rights of Medication Administration
• The rights of medication administration ensure patient
safety and effective treatment. They include:
• Right Patient: Confirm patient identity using two
identifiers.
• Right Drug: Verify the medication against the prescription.
• Right Dose: Calculate the correct dosage based on patient
factors.
• Right Route: Administer the medication via the prescribed
route (oral, IV, etc.).
• Right Time: Administer medications at the correct times to
maintain therapeutic levels.
• Right Documentation: Record administration details
accurately to ensure continuity of care.
Key Pharmacological Concepts
• Therapeutic Index: A measure of drug safety; a narrow
therapeutic index indicates a higher risk of toxicity (e.g.,
digoxin, lithium, warfarin).
, Page |2
• Half-life: The time required for the concentration of a drug
in the body to reduce to half its initial value, crucial for
determining dosing intervals.
• Peak and Trough Levels:
•
o Peak: The highest concentration of a drug in the
bloodstream, associated with toxicity risk.
o Trough: The lowest concentration, indicating the
drug's effectiveness before the next dose.
Key Drug Categories
Cardiovascular Medications
• ACE Inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril): Common side effects
include cough, angioedema, and hyperkalemia.
• Beta Blockers (e.g., metoprolol): Can cause bradycardia
and fatigue; they may mask hypoglycemia symptoms in
diabetic patients.
• Calcium Channel Blockers (e.g., amlodipine): Side effects
include peripheral edema and hypotension.
• Diuretics:
•
