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NR293: Pharmocology Principles (Chapter 2)
Questions and Answers Latest Update
What is pharmacology? Ans: The study or science of drugs.
The study of the origin, nature, chemistry, effects, and uses of
drugs.
What is a drug defined as? Ans: Any chemical that affects the physiologic
processes of a living
organism.
What is pharmacotherapeutics? Ans: The clinical use of drugs to prevent
and treat diseases.
It includes:
How drugs are named and classified.
How drugs are derived.
How drugs are administered.
How do drug names work? Ans: Chemical name:
Scientific name that describes the drug's atomic and molecular structure.
Generic name:
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An abbreviation of the chemical name; non-proprietary name.
Trade name:
The brand name or proprietary name selected by the drug company selling
the product. Trade names are protected by copyright.
How are drugs classified? Ans: Drugs are grouped together based on similar
properties.
Drug classifications:
Structure: Beta blocker
Subclass: Selective, nonselective
Therapeutic use: Antibiotic
Subclass: Penicillins
Prototype drugs:
Representative medication of the class.
First drug in a class of drugs.
What is acute therapy? Ans: Treats acute illness or condition.
What is empiric therapy? Ans: Treats illness when no testing (or limited
testing) is done.
What is maintenance therapy? Ans: Controls or slows progression of an
illness.
What is palliative therapy? Ans: Provides comfort measures.
© 2025 All rights reserved
NR293: Pharmocology Principles (Chapter 2)
Questions and Answers Latest Update
What is pharmacology? Ans: The study or science of drugs.
The study of the origin, nature, chemistry, effects, and uses of
drugs.
What is a drug defined as? Ans: Any chemical that affects the physiologic
processes of a living
organism.
What is pharmacotherapeutics? Ans: The clinical use of drugs to prevent
and treat diseases.
It includes:
How drugs are named and classified.
How drugs are derived.
How drugs are administered.
How do drug names work? Ans: Chemical name:
Scientific name that describes the drug's atomic and molecular structure.
Generic name:
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
An abbreviation of the chemical name; non-proprietary name.
Trade name:
The brand name or proprietary name selected by the drug company selling
the product. Trade names are protected by copyright.
How are drugs classified? Ans: Drugs are grouped together based on similar
properties.
Drug classifications:
Structure: Beta blocker
Subclass: Selective, nonselective
Therapeutic use: Antibiotic
Subclass: Penicillins
Prototype drugs:
Representative medication of the class.
First drug in a class of drugs.
What is acute therapy? Ans: Treats acute illness or condition.
What is empiric therapy? Ans: Treats illness when no testing (or limited
testing) is done.
What is maintenance therapy? Ans: Controls or slows progression of an
illness.
What is palliative therapy? Ans: Provides comfort measures.
© 2025 All rights reserved
