NUR2474: Pharmacology Module 1,2,3,6,8,10 Review : Latest Updated A+ Guide Solution

1. Characteristics of medications a. Based on properties of the ideal drug: i. Effectiveness: Why we take a certain drug to fix an issue in the body. Does the drug work for what we need to correct? ii. Safety: the drug cannot produce harmful adverse effects and be safe to use and not kill us. iii. Selectivity: The drug elicits the only response for what it is given for. One thing only (i.e.: antihypertensive lowering BP but also lowering amount of acid in the stomach). iv. Reversible action: is there an antidote available if something goes wrong. I.e.: naloxone given for opioid reversal. v. Predictability: how it affects the body and exactly what occurs. vi. Ease of administration: whether its PO, IV, IM, SC is it easy to make a mistake or hard to and causes extra pain, need of supplies, etc. vii. Freedom of drug interactions: does the drug interact with other drugs or foods in certain ways that decrease its action or make it unsafe to use. viii. Low cost: cheaper drugs will be easier for people to afford and maintain. ix. Chemical Stability: is it stable and easy to store. x. Simple generic name: some can be complicated and hard to pronounce. This is important so that people do not get confused with certain drugs. Generic= given by the government, Brand= company b. NO DRUG IS IDEAL!!!!! 2. Properties of medicines to consider when prescribing to patients a. Pharmacokinetics: how the drug moves its way through the body. i. Absorption: movement of drug from site of administration to various tissues 1. Ex: PO med- intestines- liver (broken down)- blood; IV med: straight into blood stream, IM med: straight into the muscle and then to bloodstream. ii. Distribution: movement of the drug throughout the blood to its site of action. If not enough blood or poor circulation, the medication cannot move well or work efficiently. 1. Ex: The PO med travels in the blood stream to the site of pain. iii. Metabolism: the chemic