NR 293 Pharmacology Exam 1

NR 293 Pharmacology Exam 1

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Chamberlain University

NR-293: Pharmacology for Nursing Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Pharmacology Exam 1: 

1. Medication Errors and Six Rights of Medication Administration (Chapter 1)

When reviewing medication errors, it is essential to focus on the six rights of medication administration:

• Right Drug: Ensure the correct drug is administered to the patient.
• Right Dose: Verify that the dosage is appropriate for the patient’s age and size.
• Right Time: Confirm the frequency of administration, the specific time for each dose, and the time of the last dose.
• Right Route: Do not assume the route of administration; always check the medication order and review any patient allergies.
• Right Patient: Use two identifiers (e.g., full name and date of birth) to verify the patient’s identity.
• Right Documentation: Accurately document all actions and report any observations.

Medication errors refer to any preventable event that may result in inappropriate medication use or patient harm.

2. Nursing Process (Chapter 1)

The nursing process is an essential framework for nursing practice, consisting of five critical steps:

• Assessment: The collection of patient data, including a comprehensive medication profile.
• Diagnosis: Identifying patient needs based on assessment findings.
• Planning: Establishing goals and desired outcomes for patient care.
• Implementation: Carrying out specific nursing actions to meet patient goals.
• Evaluation: Ongoing assessment at each stage to determine the progress toward meeting patient goals.

3. Objective and Subjective Data

When gathering patient information, nurses must distinguish between two types of data:

• Subjective Data: Patient-reported symptoms such as pain, nausea, and vomiting.
• Objective Data: Observable and measurable signs, such as blood pressure readings.

4. Routes of Medication Administration: Advantages and Disadvantages (Chapter 2)

5. Pharmacokinetics (Chapter 2)

Pharmacokinetics involves four key processes that affect drug activity in the body:

• Absorption: The drug moves from the administration site into the bloodstream.
• Distribution: The drug is transported by the bloodstream to the target tissues.
• Metabolism: Biotransformation of the drug, primarily occurring in the liver.
• Excretion: Elimination of the drug, mostly through urine and feces, but also biliary excretion.

6. Pediatric Considerations for Drug Administration (Chapter 3)

Pediatric patients exhibit several physiological differences that impact drug absorption and metabolism:

• Intramuscular absorption is often faster and irregular.
• Children have a higher total body water content but less fat.
• Liver, blood-brain barrier, and kidneys are immature, resulting in altered drug metabolism and excretion.

7. Drug Classifications: Schedule C-1 to C-5 (Chapter 4)

Medications are classified into five schedules based on their potential for abuse and medical use:

• C-1: High potential for abuse, no accepted medical use (e.g., heroin).
• C-2 to C-5: Decreasing potential for abuse and increasing accepted medical applications.

8. Telephone Orders (Chapter 1)

Telephone orders must be handled carefully in clinical settings:

• The prescriber must sign the verbal or telephone order within 24 hours.
• These orders are typically used in emergencies or time-sensitive situations.
• Abbreviations should not be used to avoid confusion.

9. Erickson’s Stages of Development

A thorough understanding of Erickson’s stages of development is crucial for providing age-appropriate care across the lifespan.

10. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications: Advantages and Disadvantages (Chapter 7)

11. Medication Use Terms (Chapter 2 and 38)

• Empiric: Administering treatment before obtaining specific diagnostic information.
• Definitive: First clinical intervention targeting a diagnosed condition.
• Prophylactic: Preventive treatment during planned events.
• Palliative: Focuses on symptom relief and comfort care.
• Maintenance: Prevents the progression of chronic illnesses, such as hypertension.

12. Synergistic Effect (Chapter 2)

A synergistic effect occurs when the combined effects of two drugs exceed the sum of their individual effects.

13. Vancomycin (Chapter 39)

Vancomycin is a bactericidal antibiotic used to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other gram-positive bacterial infections. It has poor oral absorption, so it is often administered intravenously. Peak levels range from 18 to 50 mcg/mL, with trough levels between 10 and 20 mcg/mL.

14. Antiviral Drugs (Chapter 40)

Antiviral medications suppress viruses by inhibiting replication or destroying virions. They are most effective in immunocompetent patients, often in conjunction with the body’s immune response.

15. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) (Chapter 39)

Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum quinolone effective against a range of bacteria, including anaerobes and organisms such as Chlamydia and Mycoplasma. It is used to treat anthrax and has excellent bioavailability.

16. Ginkgo (Chapter 7)

Ginkgo is an herbal remedy used to treat dementia, Alzheimer’s, and fatigue. It can interact with anticoagulants, increasing the risk of bleeding, and in large doses, it may cause seizures.

17. Peak and Trough Levels (Chapter 2)

• Peak Level: The highest concentration of a drug in the bloodstream, typically measured 30 minutes after administration.
• Trough Level: The lowest concentration, measured just before the next dose.

18. Quinolones and Adverse Effects (Chapter 39)

Quinolones are bactericidal drugs with excellent oral absorption but are reduced by antacids. Adverse effects include headaches, nausea, vomiting, and tendonitis.

19. Zidovudine (Retrovir) (Chapter 40)

Zidovudine, also known as AZT, is an antiretroviral drug used to treat HIV/AIDS. It is particularly effective in preventing maternal-fetal transmission.

20. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) (Chapter 40)

Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor used to treat influenza A and B. It is most effective when treatment begins within 48 hours of symptom onset.

21. Aminoglycosides (Chapter 39)

Aminoglycosides are potent antibiotics effective against gram-negative bacteria. However, they carry risks of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.

NR 293 Pharmacology Exam 1