PHARMACOLOGY

Derived from the Greek word pharmakondrugs, medicine, poison logos- science.
- Science that deals with the origin, nature,
chemistry, effects and uses of drugs.
PHARMACOGNOSY
Branch of pharmacology dealing with
natural drugs and their constituents.
- Literally means knowledge of drugs
PHARMACOKINETIC
-the study of the movement of the drugs in
the body, including the processes of
absorption, distribution, biotransformation
and excretion.
PHARMACODYNAMICS
The study of the biochemical and
physiological effects of drugs and the
mechanism of their actions, including the
correlation of their actions and effects with
their chemical structure.
ONSET OF ACTION
begins when the drug enters the
plasma and lasts until it reaches minimum
effective concentration.
PEAK ACTION
occurs when the drug reaches its
highest blood or plasma concentration
DURATION OF ACTION
is the length of time the drug has a
pharmacologic effect.
DRUGS
- Derived from Dutch word droogdry
- Any chemical compound used in the
diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of
disease or other abnormal conditions.
PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS
- Treatment of disease with medicines
TOXICOLOGY
-study of poisons.
SOURCES OF DRUGS
NATURAL SOURCES
A. PLANTS
- Parts are processed.
1. Alkaloids- are a diverse group of
bitter tasting, organic basic
substances found in plants.
- generally given names that end in INE.
EX. Morphine
Cocaine
Atropine
-drugs also may processed using a
synthetic version the active chemical found
an a plant.

Ex. Dronabinol (marinol)

-which contain the
ingredient delta- 9- tatrahydrocannabinol
found in marijuana.
- the synthetic version of the
active ingredient allows for an accepted
form to achieve the desired therapeutic
effect in cancer patient.
ANIMAL PRODUCTS
This is done by the used of genetic
engineering.
Ex. Insulin
thyroid
- thyroid glands and growth
hormone preparations also may be obtained
from animal thyroid and hypothalamus
tissues.
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Aluminum
Flouride
Iron
Gold
SYNTHETIC SOURCES
Made in laboratory.
Pure chemicals.
CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS
ACCORDING TO USE
THERAPEUTIC AGENTS
DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
1. Maintain Health
2. Relieve Symptoms
3. Combat Illness
4. Reverse Disease Processes
PHARMACODYNAMIC AGENTS
Alter bodily functioning in a desired
way
Muscle Relaxant
Pupil Dilator/ constrictor
Increase/ Decrease BP
Contraceptives
Anesthetics
DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS
Facilitates an exam or conclusion as
to the nature or extent of a disease
condition
Radioisotopes (iodine)
PROPHYLACTIC AGENTS
-Prevent illness or disease from occurring
VACCINE
DESTRUCTIVE AGENTS
-Has acidal action: kills bacteria, fungi,
virus or even normal cells or abnormal.
ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
FORMS/ PREPARATION OF DRUGS
TOPICALS

 CREAMS- are water soluble

preparation usually applied by
rubbing into the skin; often use as
moisturizer.
OINTMENT- oily of fatty suspension
of drugs.
PASTES- ointment that are
esp.thick and viscous and that dont
soften substantially from body heat.
GELS- aqueous suspensions of
hydrated particles.
CREAMS AND OINTMENT
LOTIONS- aqueous suspensions of
drugs and should be dabbed, not
rubbed.
LINIMENTS- thinner than ointment,
applied by rubbing.
PLASTERS- are solid dosage forms
usually have a rubber mixtures as
their base.
POWDERS- usually consist of fine
mineral dust, such as talc and are
applied by dusting, use to absorbed
moisture from the skin thereby
altering conditions favourable to
growth of microbes.
PATCHES- used to provide gradual
transfer of drug from the patch to
the skin, usually for drugs that will
be absorbed through the skin to
provide systemic effects.
TINCTURES- solutions of drugs in
alcohol;often applied by painting.
AEROSOLS- used for topical
application of drugs to both the skin
and the respiratory tract; consist of
liquid applied under air pressure
under as sprays.
FOAMS- aerated semi- solid
preparation applied under pressure
in a manner similar to aerosol.
B. MUCOSAL MEMBRANES
-ointment, creams, drops
- urethra, vagina, conjunctiva, nose,
throat,
rectum,
mouth.
-readily absorbed both local and
systemic.
GARGLES- oral membrane
LOZENGES- flat disk containing a
medicinal agent in a suitable
flavoured base
-held in the mouth to dissolve
slowly.

VAGINAL SUPPOSITORY is
usually supplied with an applicator
to facilitate easy and effective
insertion.
- wipe away excessive vaginal
discharges.
C. INHALATION/INSUFFLATION
INHALATION- drugs that can be
administered to the RT for either
topical or systemic purpose; both
liquid and gases can be
administered.
INSUFFLATION- fine powders
administered to the RT by blowing
or spraying into the nose.
OCULAR INSTILLATION
DROPS- solutions, or less
commonly, suspensions, that are
instilled in the eye by the use of a
dropper; should be kept sterile.
OINTMENT- usually place in the
inner mucosal surface of the lower
eyelid or in the conjunctival sac in
the inner canthus.
D. EAR DROPS
DROPS- labelled as otic
E. ENTERAL ADMINISTRATION
- alimentary tract; oral, rectal,
sublingual, buccal routes; systemic effect.
F. ORAL ROUTE
-most convenient frequently used route
a. TABLETS - dried powdered drug that
has been compressed into small disks;
sometimes scored to aid in subdividing
them some are enteric coated; resist
dissolution in the acid medium of the
stomach; dont chew.
CAPSULES- consist of powders or liquids in
a gelatin container; dont require color or
additives to improve taste.
SOLUTIONS- consist of substances
dissolve in water.
SYRUPS- are sugar solutions used as
vehicles for various drugs.
SUSPENSIONS- consist of fine drug
particles suspended in a liquid vehicle.
- shake well to ensure;
through mixing.
EMULSIONS- consist of a lipid substance
dispersed in water by the action of an
emulsifying.
GELS- aqueous suspensions of hydrated
particles.
ELIXIR- are vehicles containing alcohol,
sugar, and water.

SPIRITS- alcohol solutions of volatile

substances.
TINCTURES- consist of drugs
dissolved in alcohol or alcohol and
water.
SUBLIGUAL/ BUCCAL ADMINISTRATION
A. NITROGLYCERIN- placed under the
tongue -> rapidly dis integrade ->
absorbed thru thin epithelium into
the blood vessels.
B. RECTAL SUPPOSITORY
G. PARENTERAL ADMINISTRATION
1. AMPULES- glass containers that
usually contain a single dose of
med; maybe scored or have a
darkened ring around neck.
2. VIALS- are glass containers that
contain 1 or more doses of a sterile
med; maybe a solution or it may be
a sterile powder to be reconstituted
before the time of administration.
3. MIX- O-VIALS
- glass containers with 2 compartments;
lower chamber contains the solute; upper
chamber contains a sterile diluents; in
between the chambers is a rubber stopper.
4. PREFILLED SYRINGE
- Premeasured amount of meds. In a
disposable cartridge- needle unit; cartridge
is in a sealed unit; drug name,
concentration, and volume are clearly
printed in the cartridge
- Time saving, diminished chance of
contamination.
GUIDELINES FOR DRUG
ADMINISTRATION
1. Enteric coated drugs should not be
given with antacids.
2. Enteric coated tablets should not be
crushed before administration.
3. Suspensions and emulsions must
be shaken thoroughly immediately
before use.
4. Suspensions are never administered
intravenously.
5. Proper storage of solutions are very
important to prevent contamination
and evaporation.
5. The skin should be assessed for rashes
or open areas before applying topical
medication
6. Transdemal therapeutic systems or
patches permits drugs to pass through the
skin into the bloodstream. Therefore the

nurse must be very careful when applying

them to prevent self-medication
7. A previous transdermal patch should be
removed before the next dose patch is
applied.
8. Proper disposal of transdermal patches is
important, so children do not apply used
patches to themselves and so that house
pets will not chew them.
THE NURSING PROCESS AND
DRUG ADMINISTRATION
NURSING PROCESS
- A goal directed series of activities
whereby the practice of nursing is
approached in a systematic and
orderly.
GOAL:
- Alleviate, minimized or prevent actual and
potential health problems.
5 SEQUENCIAL AND CYCLICAL
PHASES
1. Assessment
2. Analysis/ Diagnosis
3. Planning
4. Implementation
5. Evaluation
ASSESSMENT
- Is the collection of relevant
information that defines the current
health situation for the particular
client.
Clients medical and drug history
Physical examination
Psychological, social, cultural,
environmental.
Laboratory test
Current drug and non drug
interventions.
ANALYSIS/ DIAGNOSIS
-critical study of the assessment data for
the purposes of studying the clients needs
and establishing nursing goals.
NURSING DIAGNOSES- are those problems
for which nurses can legally prescribe
interventions independently.
EX: Anxiety r/t insufficient knowledge
regarding surgical expirience.
PLANNING
Is the designing of strategies in
cooperation with the client or those
responsible for the client, that will
help to achieve the established the
nursing goals.

 Plans are also dynamic- require

frequent adjustment during the
planning stage.
IMPLEMENTATION
- Is the initiation and completion of
the strategies developed during the
planning stage.
PREPARING DRUGS FOR
ADMINISTRATION
Ensure cleanliness of your hands,
work area, and supplies.
Ensure availability of supplies.
Ensure adequate lighting.
Decrease environmental
distractions.
EVALUATION
- Is the process of determining the
effects of the plan of car. Both the
extent to which the goals have been
achieved and the occurrence of any
unfavorable consequences.
- Observe:
Response to drug treatment
any side effects
Any changes in physiological or
psychological functioning.
ADMINISTERING MEDICATIONS
(10 rights)
RIGHT ASSESSMENT
a. Take a medication history
b. Assess the clients understanding
about illness, including past
expirienced
c. Conduct a physical assessment
d. Obtain information about social
networkis and resources.
NURSING DIAGNOSIS
- A number of nursing diagnoses may
be useful in guiding planning and
implementation.
a. Ineffective health maintenance
b. Risk for injury
c. Noncompliance r/t drug regimen
d. Deficient knowledge
PLANNING
why the drug is needed
How the drug will be administered
Common indications of adverse
effect
IMPLEMENTATION
Ensure cleanliness of all materials
used
Ensure availability of supplies
Ensure adequate lightning

Decrease environmental distractions

Verify the prescription for the
medication to be administered
RIGHT DRUG
- Carefully check the prescription
- Check the medication against the
prescription
- Do not administer a medication
someone else has prepared,
- Never leave medications unattended.
RIGHT DOSE
Be familiar with the various
measurement systems and the
conversion from one system to
another.
Always use the appropriate
measuring device and read it
correctly
Shake all suspension and emulsions
When measuring drops of
medication with a dropper, always
hold the dropper vertically and close
to the medication cup
When removing a drug from a
multiple- dose vial, inject an amount
of air equal to the amount of fluid to
be withdrawn.
Do not attempt to divide unscored
tablets and do not administer
tablets that have been broken
unevenly along the scoring.
RIGHT CLIENT
check the tag on the clients bed
Check the clients Id band
ASK the client to state his name
Ask parents to tell you the name of
their child
Always double check a prescription
that the client questions.
RIGHT TIME
To achieve maximum therapeutic
effectiveness, medications are
scheduled to be administered at
specific times.
The nurse should adhere, as closely
as possible to the scheduled time of
administration
RIGHT ROUTE
The method by which a drug is
administered affects such factors as
the absorption, speed of onset, dose,
side effects and adverse effects.
be sure you know the prescribed
route by which a medication is to be
given

 If no route is specified in the health

care providers prescription, the MD
should be questioned about the
intended route.
Always gain the clients cooperation
before attempting to administer a
dose of drug
COMMON ROUTES OF DRUG
ADMINISTRATION:
Primarily for local Effects:
topical application - to mucous
membranes or skin
intra-articular within the cavity of
a joint
intracardiac into a chamber of the
heart
intrademal or intracutaneous
into the dermal layer of the skin
intrathecal into the spinal fluid
inhalation into the respiratory
tract
Primarily for systemic effects:
By the gastrointestinal tract:
buccal or transmucosal in the
cheek
oral by mouth
sublingual under the tongue
rectal in the rectum
By injection:
intramuscular into a skeletal
muscle
intraosseous into the bone
marrow
intratacheal into the trachea
intravenous into a vein
subcutaneous into the
subcutaneous tissue
RIGHT DOCUMENTATION
- The right documentation is not only
a legal requirement, but also a
safety responsibility of a nurse.
- if it isnt documented, it wasnt
done
- An inappropriate and illegal practice
is for the nurse to borrow a drug
from client A to give to client B with
the intent of replacing it later.
Be sure to document the medication
and time administered on
appropriate facility document.
Document site location after
administering intradermal,
subcutaneous, or intramuscular
injection.

Document if client refuses

medication, clients reason and
reporting of refusal to physician.
RIGHT TO REFUSE
Be sure to assess clients reason for
refusing medication.
Document refusal.
RIGHT EVALUATON
- Is the comparison of actual client
outcomes with expected outcomes
- Includes assessing the effectiveness
of the medication in alleviating s/sx
of illness, determining adverse
effects that result from the use of
the drug, and determining the
clients ability to self administer
medication.
Consider the clients developmental
level during administration of
medications
To achieve maximum effectiveness
and client well- being, it is
important to pan the order in which
meds are administered.
RIGHT EDUCATION