Questions and CORRECT Answers
Pharmacology - CORRECT ANSWER - the study of drugs (chemicals) that alter functions
of living organisms
- Meds are drugs given for therpeutic purposes. Local or systemic
Pharmacotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Otherwise known as "drug therapy" is the use
of drugs to prevent, diagnose, or treat signs, symptom, and disease.
Drug Sources - CORRECT ANSWER - -Historically drugs came from plants, animals, and
minerals but now most drugs are synthetic compounds manufactured in laboritories.
-There are semisynthetic drugs that are naturally occurring substances that have been chemically
modified such as many antibiotics.
Biotechnology - CORRECT ANSWER - manipulate DNA or RNA and combining genes
into molecules.
Clone - CORRECT ANSWER - Reproduce the agent
Drug Classifications - CORRECT ANSWER - Drugs are classified according to their
effects on particular body systems, their therapeutic uses, and their chemical characteristics
Prototype - CORRECT ANSWER - -individual drug that represents groups of drugs
+Often first drug of particular drug class to be developed.
+EX: morphine for opioids, and penicillin for beta-lactation antibacterial drugs
+Most new drugs assigned to a a group and compared with prototype.
Generic Names - CORRECT ANSWER - -related to chemical or official name and is
independent of manufacturer
,+Ex:amoxicillin
+Drug ends in "cillin" are penicillins
*Cheaper
*lower case
Brand (trade) name - CORRECT ANSWER - -designated and patented by the
manufacturer
+Ex:Amoxil or Trimox
*Big Pharm ->Brand name -> Big letter
Access to Drugs - CORRECT ANSWER - -Prescription drugs which require a written
order.
-OTC drugs NO NOT require a prescription
American Law & Standards - CORRECT ANSWER - -Goal to protect public by ensuring
that drugs marketed for therapeautic purposes are safe and effective
-U.S Food & Drug Administration(FDA)- enforced law
-Controlled substances categorized according to thapeautic usefulness and potential for abuse.
Drug Approval - CORRECT ANSWER - -FDA approves drugs for OTC availability,
including transfer of drugs from prescription to OTC status.
+FDA approval for OTC status involves evident that consumer can use drug safely, use
information on product label, and shift responsibility for safe and effective drug therapy from
PCP to consumer.
*Controlled: schedule I-V (1-5)
* Black Box Warnings- serious adverse effects
Nurses are Responsible for: - CORRECT ANSWER - •Understanding policies and laws
that govern prescribing, dispensing, and admin of meds • •Preparing, administering, and
evaluating response to med.
,• Developing and maintaining up to date knowledge base.
• Maintaining competencies.
• Determining accuracy of orders.
• Safeguarding and storing of meds.
• Following legal mandates with controlled substance.
• Calculating doses accurately.
• Understanding responsibilities of other members of health care team regarding meds.
7 Rights of Medication Administration - CORRECT ANSWER - • Right Drug
• Right Dose
• Right Patient
• Right Route
• Right Time
• Right Reason
• Right Documentation
Safety in Administration of Medication - CORRECT ANSWER - • New technology in
medication has expanded:
+Electronic charting
+ Automated drug dispensing systems
(pyxis)
+ Barcode medication administration system
•QSEN error-reduction strategies:
+ "Quiet zone" to prepare medications
+ Follow protocols & checklists outlining
medication administration
+ Wearing sash or vest to signal others nurse is giving medication
, + Educating staff to reduce interruptions of nurses administering medications.
* Verbal only in emergency; follow protocol; no nursing students
National Patient Safety Goals - CORRECT ANSWER - DO NOT USE List of
Abbreviations:
U (unit)- write "unit"
IU (international unit)- write "international unit"
Q.D., QD, qd (daily)- write "daily"
QOD, Q.O.D, qod (every other day)- write as "every other day"
Trailing zero (X.0mg) or lack of leading zero (.Xmg)- write as (Xmg or 0.Xmg)
MS (morphine sulfate)- write as morphine sulfate MSO4 and MgSO4- write out magnesium
sulfate
Pregnancy Categories - CORRECT ANSWER - from A (safest) to Category X (known
danger)
• Categories do not account for potential harm from drugs found in breast milk.
Beers Criteria - CORRECT ANSWER - list of medications that are generally considered
inappropriate when
given to elderly people.
• Antidysrhythmics
• Insulin
• Narcotics
• Benadryl
* meds linked to poor health outcomes- confusion, falls, etc.
Common Med Errors - CORRECT ANSWER - • Wrong medication or IV fluid