Pharmacology for Nurses
📍Section 1: Introduction to Pharmacology
📘 What is Pharmacology?
Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with biological systems. In nursing,
pharmacology is critical because it helps nurses safely administer medications, monitor
patient responses, and educate patients about drug therapies.
⚙️ Key Terms to Know
Term Definition
Drug Any chemical substance that alters body functions.
What the body does to the drug (absorption, distribution, metabolism,
Pharmacokinetics
excretion).
Pharmacodynamics What the drug does to the body (mechanism of action, effect).
Therapeutic effect The intended, desired effect of a drug.
Adverse effect Undesirable or harmful effect of a drug.
Toxicity Harmful levels of a drug in the body.
Time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the blood to be
Half-life (t½)
reduced by 50%.
Bioavailability Percentage of drug that reaches systemic circulation.
A condition or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a certain
Contraindication
medical treatment.
🧪 How Are Drugs Named?
Name Type Example Note
Chemical name N-acetyl-para-aminophenol Describes molecular structure
,Name Type Example Note
Generic name Acetaminophen Official name, used in NCLEX
Brand/Trade name Tylenol Marketed name, may vary by country
✅ Nurses should always use generic names when documenting or administering.
💉 Routes of Drug Administration
Route Example Advantages Considerations
Convenient, non- Slower onset, affected by GI
Oral (PO) Tablets, capsules
invasive tract
Avoid eating/drinking right
Sublingual Nitroglycerin Rapid absorption
after
Risk of infection, requires
IV (Intravenous) Antibiotics Immediate effect
skill
IM Rapid, sustained
Vaccines Pain at injection site
(Intramuscular) release
Subcutaneous Easy self-
Insulin Risk of tissue irritation
(SC) administration
Creams,
Topical Localized action Risk of skin sensitivity
ointments
🧠 Mnemonic to remember fast-to-slow onset:
"IV → IM → SC → PO" (Think: "I Inject Smoothly Please!")
🧪 Drug Classifications
Drugs are grouped based on:
Mechanism of action (e.g., beta blockers reduce heart rate)
Therapeutic use (e.g., antihypertensives lower BP)
Chemical structure (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins)
, ➡️ Full drug classifications will be covered in Section 3.
🧪 Real-World Nursing Tip:
“Always ask yourself:
🔹 What is this drug supposed to do?
🔹 What do I need to monitor?
🔹 What side effects must I educate my patient about?”
📝 Case Study Snapshot (Intro Level)
Patient: Mr. Rodriguez, 58 y/o
Condition: Hypertension
Medication: Metoprolol 50 mg PO BID
Your Role as a Nurse:
Monitor BP and HR before administration
Teach patient to change positions slowly (risk of orthostatic hypotension)
Watch for fatigue or bradycardia
Great! Here is the fully expanded Section 2: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics —
written for clarity, memorability, and NCLEX relevance. This section is crucial for
understanding how drugs behave in the body and how nurses should monitor and time
drug administration.
📍Section 2: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacokinetics
📌 What the body does to the drug
🔄 The Four Stages: ADME
Stage Description Clinical Relevance
📍Section 1: Introduction to Pharmacology
📘 What is Pharmacology?
Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with biological systems. In nursing,
pharmacology is critical because it helps nurses safely administer medications, monitor
patient responses, and educate patients about drug therapies.
⚙️ Key Terms to Know
Term Definition
Drug Any chemical substance that alters body functions.
What the body does to the drug (absorption, distribution, metabolism,
Pharmacokinetics
excretion).
Pharmacodynamics What the drug does to the body (mechanism of action, effect).
Therapeutic effect The intended, desired effect of a drug.
Adverse effect Undesirable or harmful effect of a drug.
Toxicity Harmful levels of a drug in the body.
Time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the blood to be
Half-life (t½)
reduced by 50%.
Bioavailability Percentage of drug that reaches systemic circulation.
A condition or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a certain
Contraindication
medical treatment.
🧪 How Are Drugs Named?
Name Type Example Note
Chemical name N-acetyl-para-aminophenol Describes molecular structure
,Name Type Example Note
Generic name Acetaminophen Official name, used in NCLEX
Brand/Trade name Tylenol Marketed name, may vary by country
✅ Nurses should always use generic names when documenting or administering.
💉 Routes of Drug Administration
Route Example Advantages Considerations
Convenient, non- Slower onset, affected by GI
Oral (PO) Tablets, capsules
invasive tract
Avoid eating/drinking right
Sublingual Nitroglycerin Rapid absorption
after
Risk of infection, requires
IV (Intravenous) Antibiotics Immediate effect
skill
IM Rapid, sustained
Vaccines Pain at injection site
(Intramuscular) release
Subcutaneous Easy self-
Insulin Risk of tissue irritation
(SC) administration
Creams,
Topical Localized action Risk of skin sensitivity
ointments
🧠 Mnemonic to remember fast-to-slow onset:
"IV → IM → SC → PO" (Think: "I Inject Smoothly Please!")
🧪 Drug Classifications
Drugs are grouped based on:
Mechanism of action (e.g., beta blockers reduce heart rate)
Therapeutic use (e.g., antihypertensives lower BP)
Chemical structure (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins)
, ➡️ Full drug classifications will be covered in Section 3.
🧪 Real-World Nursing Tip:
“Always ask yourself:
🔹 What is this drug supposed to do?
🔹 What do I need to monitor?
🔹 What side effects must I educate my patient about?”
📝 Case Study Snapshot (Intro Level)
Patient: Mr. Rodriguez, 58 y/o
Condition: Hypertension
Medication: Metoprolol 50 mg PO BID
Your Role as a Nurse:
Monitor BP and HR before administration
Teach patient to change positions slowly (risk of orthostatic hypotension)
Watch for fatigue or bradycardia
Great! Here is the fully expanded Section 2: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics —
written for clarity, memorability, and NCLEX relevance. This section is crucial for
understanding how drugs behave in the body and how nurses should monitor and time
drug administration.
📍Section 2: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacokinetics
📌 What the body does to the drug
🔄 The Four Stages: ADME
Stage Description Clinical Relevance
