Chapter 29: Medications
Drug Nomenclature:
● Chemical name: identifies drug’s atomic and molecular structure
● Generic name: assigned by the manufacturer that first develops the drug
● Official name (monograph): name by which the drug is identified in official publications United States
Pharmacopeia (USP) and National Formulary (NF) (typically generic name)
● Trade name: brand name copyrighted by the company that sells the drug
Drug Preparations:
● Oral
○ Capsule, pill, tablet, extended release, elixir, suspension, syrup
● Topical
○ Liniment, lotion, ointment, suppository, transdermal patch
● Injectable
Question #1:
● Which type of drug preparation is a medication in a clear liquid containing water, alcohol, sweeteners,
and flavor?
○ Elixir: an elixir is a medication in a clear liquid containing water, alcohol, sweeteners, and
flavor.
Drug Classifications:
● Classified by effect on body system; chemical composition; clinical indication or therapeutic action
● Two primary classifications:
○ Pharmaceutical class
■ Refers to the mechanism of action (MOA), physiologic effect (PE), and chemical
structure (CS) of the drug
○ Therapeutic class
■ Refers to the clinical indication for the drug or therapeutic action (e.g., analgesic,
antibiotic, or antihypertensive)
Pharmacokinetics (Effect of Body on Drug):
● Absorption
● Distribution
● Metabolism
● Excretion
Factors Affecting Absorption of Medications:
● Route of administration
● Lipid solubility
● pH
● Blood flow
● Local conditions at the site of administration
● Drug dosage
Pharmacodynamics:
● Pharmacodynamics is the process by which drugs alter cell physiology and affect the body
● Drugs turn on, off, promote, or block responses that are part of the body’s processes
● Drug-receptor interaction occurs when the drug interacts with one or more cellular structures to alter
cell function
● Drugs may also combine with other molecules in the body to achieve their effect
● Other drugs act on the cell membrane or alter the cellular environment to achieve their effect
Adverse Drug Effects:
● Allergic effects: anaphylactic reaction
, ● Drug tolerance
● Toxic effect
● Idiosyncratic effect
● Drug interactions: antagonistic and synergistic effects
Factors Affecting Drug Action:
● Developmental considerations
● Weight
● Gender
● Genetic and cultural factors
● Psychological factors
● Pathology
● Environment
● Timing of administration
Drug Dose and Serum Drug Levels:
● Therapeutic range: concentration of drug in the blood serum that produces the desired effect without
causing toxicity
● Trough level: the point when the drug is at its lowest concentration, indicating the rate of elimination
● Half-life: amount of time it takes for 50% of blood concentration of a drug to be eliminated from the
body
Metric System Conversions:
● To convert larger unit to smaller unit, move decimal point to right
● To convert smaller unit to larger unit, move decimal to the left
○ 1 kilogram = 1,000 grams
○ 1 gram = 1,000 milligrams
○ 1 milligram = 1,000 micrograms
○ 1 liter = 1,000 milliliters or cubic centimeters
Question #2:
● 1.5 grams equals how many milligrams?
○ 1,500 mg
Type of Medication Orders:
● Standing order (routine order): carried out until canceled by another order
● PRN order: as needed
● Single or one-time order
● Stat order: carried out immediately
Question #3:
● True or false: only pain medications may be given to patients without a medication order from a
licensed practitioner.
○ False: no medications may be given to patients without a medication order from a licensed
practitioner.
Parts of the Medication Order:
● Patient’s name
● Date and time order is written
● Name of drug to be administered
● Dosage of drug
● Route by which drug is to be administered
● Frequency of administration of the drug
● Signature of person writing the order
Medication Supply Systems:
● Stock supply
● Individual unit dose supply
Drug Nomenclature:
● Chemical name: identifies drug’s atomic and molecular structure
● Generic name: assigned by the manufacturer that first develops the drug
● Official name (monograph): name by which the drug is identified in official publications United States
Pharmacopeia (USP) and National Formulary (NF) (typically generic name)
● Trade name: brand name copyrighted by the company that sells the drug
Drug Preparations:
● Oral
○ Capsule, pill, tablet, extended release, elixir, suspension, syrup
● Topical
○ Liniment, lotion, ointment, suppository, transdermal patch
● Injectable
Question #1:
● Which type of drug preparation is a medication in a clear liquid containing water, alcohol, sweeteners,
and flavor?
○ Elixir: an elixir is a medication in a clear liquid containing water, alcohol, sweeteners, and
flavor.
Drug Classifications:
● Classified by effect on body system; chemical composition; clinical indication or therapeutic action
● Two primary classifications:
○ Pharmaceutical class
■ Refers to the mechanism of action (MOA), physiologic effect (PE), and chemical
structure (CS) of the drug
○ Therapeutic class
■ Refers to the clinical indication for the drug or therapeutic action (e.g., analgesic,
antibiotic, or antihypertensive)
Pharmacokinetics (Effect of Body on Drug):
● Absorption
● Distribution
● Metabolism
● Excretion
Factors Affecting Absorption of Medications:
● Route of administration
● Lipid solubility
● pH
● Blood flow
● Local conditions at the site of administration
● Drug dosage
Pharmacodynamics:
● Pharmacodynamics is the process by which drugs alter cell physiology and affect the body
● Drugs turn on, off, promote, or block responses that are part of the body’s processes
● Drug-receptor interaction occurs when the drug interacts with one or more cellular structures to alter
cell function
● Drugs may also combine with other molecules in the body to achieve their effect
● Other drugs act on the cell membrane or alter the cellular environment to achieve their effect
Adverse Drug Effects:
● Allergic effects: anaphylactic reaction
, ● Drug tolerance
● Toxic effect
● Idiosyncratic effect
● Drug interactions: antagonistic and synergistic effects
Factors Affecting Drug Action:
● Developmental considerations
● Weight
● Gender
● Genetic and cultural factors
● Psychological factors
● Pathology
● Environment
● Timing of administration
Drug Dose and Serum Drug Levels:
● Therapeutic range: concentration of drug in the blood serum that produces the desired effect without
causing toxicity
● Trough level: the point when the drug is at its lowest concentration, indicating the rate of elimination
● Half-life: amount of time it takes for 50% of blood concentration of a drug to be eliminated from the
body
Metric System Conversions:
● To convert larger unit to smaller unit, move decimal point to right
● To convert smaller unit to larger unit, move decimal to the left
○ 1 kilogram = 1,000 grams
○ 1 gram = 1,000 milligrams
○ 1 milligram = 1,000 micrograms
○ 1 liter = 1,000 milliliters or cubic centimeters
Question #2:
● 1.5 grams equals how many milligrams?
○ 1,500 mg
Type of Medication Orders:
● Standing order (routine order): carried out until canceled by another order
● PRN order: as needed
● Single or one-time order
● Stat order: carried out immediately
Question #3:
● True or false: only pain medications may be given to patients without a medication order from a
licensed practitioner.
○ False: no medications may be given to patients without a medication order from a licensed
practitioner.
Parts of the Medication Order:
● Patient’s name
● Date and time order is written
● Name of drug to be administered
● Dosage of drug
● Route by which drug is to be administered
● Frequency of administration of the drug
● Signature of person writing the order
Medication Supply Systems:
● Stock supply
● Individual unit dose supply
