Week 1: Introduction to Pharmacology Topic Outline

I. Drug Standards: ensure safety of all medications through

testing and regulations
A. Legislation ( page 9 )
1. Controlled Substance Act = 1970 act
2. FDA Modernization Act = 1997 act
3. HIPAA = 1996
4. Patient Protection and Affordability Act = 2010
B. Nurse Practice Act

II. Drug names ( page 10 )

A. Chemical = drug’s chemical structure
B. Generic = official , nonproprietary ( not owned) name . 80% of drugs
percribed
C. Trade = brand or proprietary name

III. Over the counter drugs ( page 13 )

A. Safety
B. Availability
C. Standardized information

IV. Drug classifications

A. Pharmacological = describes how the drug acts
B. Therapeutic = describes what is being treated

V. Drug action phases

A. Pharmacokinetic
1. Absorption
a) Factors that affect process
b) Three types of absorption process
2. Distribution
Week 1: Introduction to Pharmacology Topic Outline
a) Influenced on which factors:
3. Metabolism
a) Primary site
b) Affected by
c) Loading doses
4. Excretion
a) Primary site
b) Affected by
B. Pharmacodynamics
1. Primary and Secondary effect
2. Different terms ( page 23 )
a) Potency
b) Onset of action
c) Peak action
d) Duration of action
e) Therapeutic index (range)
(1) Pediatric ranges
f) Agonist
g) Antagonist
h) Nonselective drugs
i) Nonspecific drugs
j) Side effects vs. adverse effects
k) Toxicity
l) Tolerance
C. Genetics - Pharmacogenomics

VI. Drug interactions

A. Drug-drug
1. Pharmacokinetics
a) What happens with interactions?
b) What can occur?
2. Pharmacodynamics
a) Additive
b) Synergistic
c) Antagonistic
B. Drug-food
C. Drug-light (Photosensitivity)
Week 1: Introduction to Pharmacology Topic Outline

VII. Pediatric Considerations

A. Differences in Pharmacokinetics
1. Absorption
2. Distribution
3. Metabolism
4. Elimination
5. Dosages
B. Drug Administration

VIII. Geriatric Considerations

A. Polypharmacy
B. Differences in Pharmacokinetics
1. Absorption
2. Distribution
3. Metabolism
4. Excretion

IX. Nursing Process

A. Assessment
1. Subjective vs. Objective
2. What is pertinent information?
B. Diagnosis
1. Remember not medical diagnosis
2. Problem or Risk for
3. Common nursing diagnosis related to medications
C. Planning
1. Patient centered goals
2. R
D. Implementation
1. Action oriented
2. Client teaching
E. Evaluation
1. Must related back to the therapeutic use or goal