eight aspects of drug therapy: - Answers(1) preadministration assessment, (2) dosage and
administration, (3) promoting therapeutic effects, (4) minimizing adverse effects, (5) minimizing
adverse interactions, (6) making "as needed" (PRN) decisions, (7) evaluating responses to
medication, and (8) managing toxicity.
The following guidelines can help ensure correct administration: - Answers• Read the
medication order carefully. If the order is unclear, verify it with the prescriber.
• Verify the identity of the patient by comparing the name on the wristband with the name on
the drug order or medication administration record.
• Read the medication label carefully. Verify the identity of the drug, the amount of drug (per
tablet, volume of liquid, etc.), and its suitability for administration by the intended route.
• Verify dosage calculations.
• Implement any special handling the drug may require.
• Don't administer any drug if you don't understand the reason for its use.
Application of Pharmacology in Patient Education
Very often, the nurse is responsible for educating patients about medications. In your role as
educator, you must give the patient the following information: - Answers• Drug name and
therapeutic category (e.g., penicillin: antibiotic)
• Dosage
• Dosing schedule
• Route and technique of administration
• Expected therapeutic response and when it should develop
• Nondrug measures to enhance therapeutic responses
• Duration of treatment
• Method of drug storage
• Symptoms of major adverse effects, and measures to minimize discomfort and harm
• Major adverse drug-drug and drug-food interactions
• Whom to contact in the event of therapeutic failure, severe adverse reactions, or severe
adverse interactio
Adherence— - Answersalso known as compliance or concordance
PRN stands for pro re nata - Answersa Latin phrase meaning as needed. A PRN medication order
is one in which the nurse has discretion regarding when to give a drug and, in some situations,
how much drug to give.
Promoting Therapeutic Effects - AnswersTo participate fully in achieving the therapeutic
objective, patients must know the nature and time course of expected beneficial effects.
Assessment - AnswersAssessment consists of collecting data about the patient.
Analysis or Nursing Diagnoses - AnswersIn this step, the nurse analyzes information in the
database to determine actual and potential health problems. These problems may be
physiologic, psychologic, or sociologic.