Pharmacology Exam 1 Blueprint
Chapters No of Details Blooms
questions
1 4 Pharmacotherapeutics 3 understanding
Properties of an ideal drug are considered, the drug’s 1 - Analyze
effects on the patient, and the desired outcome when a
drug is described as easy to administer.
2 5 The assessment step of the nursing process, lab 3 Apply
considerations before administering medications,
1 Remember
especially in older adults.
1Teaching/Learning
3 5 Nonproprietary names for drugs 2 -UD
randomization in drug trials, the FDA Amendments Act, 1Remember
drugs in preclinical testing,
1-App
4 5 Pain medication and its effects, safety information 2 -UD
when administering drugs to infants, factors affecting
1-R
drug metabolism,
2- Apply
7 5 Side effects, toxic side effects, effective ways to prevent 1-R
medication errors, a black boxed warning, patient
2-Apply
education on pain medications,
2-UD
, 8 5 Pharmacogenomic differences, warfarin, medication UD-1
effects in different groups, pharmacodynamic
App-3
tolerance,
Analyze-1
13 5 adverse drug reaction related to increased drug effects, UD-2
administering medications to older adult patients, first-
Apply-2
pass metabolism, serum drug level and its effects on
medications, 1 -R
55 5 antidote warfarin, heparin, App-3
needs to know the drug: Lovenox, lab values while on 1 -R
heparin and warfarin.
1-R
59 5 Erythropoietin, ESA, App-3
R-3
Chapter 1
1. Pharmacotherapeutics
Definition:
Pharmacotherapeutics (or therapeutics) is the use of drugs to diagnose, prevent, or treat disease or to
prevent pregnancy. It’s the clinical application of pharmacology, focused on achieving specific health
outcomes through drug therapy.
Nursing Relevance:
Understanding pharmacotherapeutics helps nurses:
, Select appropriate medications for specific conditions.
Understand the rationale for drug choice, dose, route, and timing.
Promote therapeutic effects while minimizing adverse effects.
Educate patients on drug purpose, expected outcomes, and potential side effects.
2. Properties of an Ideal Drug
Although no drug is perfect, ideal drugs are evaluated based on the following three most important
properties, plus six additional desirable traits:
The Big Three:
Property Description Nursing Implication
Effectiveness Produces the desired therapeutic Most critical property. Drugs must work for the
effect. condition they're prescribed.
Safety Causes no harmful effects, even at Nurses must recognize dose limits and monitor
high doses or long-term use. for adverse effects.
Selectivity Produces only the intended effect No drug is completely selective; nurses must
with no side effects. monitor and educate about possible side effects.
Six Additional Properties:
Property Description Example
Reversible Action Drug effects wear off after a Anesthetics that allow the patient to wake
certain period. up.
Predictability Response to drug can be Nurses adjust based on patient-specific
anticipated. variables (age, genetics).
, Ease of Administration Simple, convenient dosing Once-daily oral tablets improve
and route. adherence.
Freedom from Drug Does not interfere with other Nurses check for interactions before
Interactions medications. administration.
Low Cost Affordable to patients. Especially important for chronic
conditions.
Chemical Stability Maintains potency over time Nurses check expiration dates and proper
and in storage. storage.
3. Drug’s Effects on the Patient
Understanding how a drug affects a patient is central to safe and effective nursing care:
Therapeutic Effects: The intended clinical benefits (e.g., lower BP, kill bacteria).
Adverse Effects: Undesired reactions (e.g., GI upset, dizziness, drowsiness).
Toxicity: Harmful effects, often from high doses (e.g., respiratory depression from opioids).
Side Effects: Secondary effects at therapeutic doses (e.g., antihistamines causing drowsiness).
Idiosyncratic Reactions: Unpredictable responses based on genetics or individual differences.
Nurses must:
Monitor and document therapeutic and adverse responses.
Teach patients what to expect and report.
Chapters No of Details Blooms
questions
1 4 Pharmacotherapeutics 3 understanding
Properties of an ideal drug are considered, the drug’s 1 - Analyze
effects on the patient, and the desired outcome when a
drug is described as easy to administer.
2 5 The assessment step of the nursing process, lab 3 Apply
considerations before administering medications,
1 Remember
especially in older adults.
1Teaching/Learning
3 5 Nonproprietary names for drugs 2 -UD
randomization in drug trials, the FDA Amendments Act, 1Remember
drugs in preclinical testing,
1-App
4 5 Pain medication and its effects, safety information 2 -UD
when administering drugs to infants, factors affecting
1-R
drug metabolism,
2- Apply
7 5 Side effects, toxic side effects, effective ways to prevent 1-R
medication errors, a black boxed warning, patient
2-Apply
education on pain medications,
2-UD
, 8 5 Pharmacogenomic differences, warfarin, medication UD-1
effects in different groups, pharmacodynamic
App-3
tolerance,
Analyze-1
13 5 adverse drug reaction related to increased drug effects, UD-2
administering medications to older adult patients, first-
Apply-2
pass metabolism, serum drug level and its effects on
medications, 1 -R
55 5 antidote warfarin, heparin, App-3
needs to know the drug: Lovenox, lab values while on 1 -R
heparin and warfarin.
1-R
59 5 Erythropoietin, ESA, App-3
R-3
Chapter 1
1. Pharmacotherapeutics
Definition:
Pharmacotherapeutics (or therapeutics) is the use of drugs to diagnose, prevent, or treat disease or to
prevent pregnancy. It’s the clinical application of pharmacology, focused on achieving specific health
outcomes through drug therapy.
Nursing Relevance:
Understanding pharmacotherapeutics helps nurses:
, Select appropriate medications for specific conditions.
Understand the rationale for drug choice, dose, route, and timing.
Promote therapeutic effects while minimizing adverse effects.
Educate patients on drug purpose, expected outcomes, and potential side effects.
2. Properties of an Ideal Drug
Although no drug is perfect, ideal drugs are evaluated based on the following three most important
properties, plus six additional desirable traits:
The Big Three:
Property Description Nursing Implication
Effectiveness Produces the desired therapeutic Most critical property. Drugs must work for the
effect. condition they're prescribed.
Safety Causes no harmful effects, even at Nurses must recognize dose limits and monitor
high doses or long-term use. for adverse effects.
Selectivity Produces only the intended effect No drug is completely selective; nurses must
with no side effects. monitor and educate about possible side effects.
Six Additional Properties:
Property Description Example
Reversible Action Drug effects wear off after a Anesthetics that allow the patient to wake
certain period. up.
Predictability Response to drug can be Nurses adjust based on patient-specific
anticipated. variables (age, genetics).
, Ease of Administration Simple, convenient dosing Once-daily oral tablets improve
and route. adherence.
Freedom from Drug Does not interfere with other Nurses check for interactions before
Interactions medications. administration.
Low Cost Affordable to patients. Especially important for chronic
conditions.
Chemical Stability Maintains potency over time Nurses check expiration dates and proper
and in storage. storage.
3. Drug’s Effects on the Patient
Understanding how a drug affects a patient is central to safe and effective nursing care:
Therapeutic Effects: The intended clinical benefits (e.g., lower BP, kill bacteria).
Adverse Effects: Undesired reactions (e.g., GI upset, dizziness, drowsiness).
Toxicity: Harmful effects, often from high doses (e.g., respiratory depression from opioids).
Side Effects: Secondary effects at therapeutic doses (e.g., antihistamines causing drowsiness).
Idiosyncratic Reactions: Unpredictable responses based on genetics or individual differences.
Nurses must:
Monitor and document therapeutic and adverse responses.
Teach patients what to expect and report.
