MACALINTAL, JOELYN M.

 What is Pharmacology? It’s significance to the nursing profession?

 Pharmacology is the study of chemicals-drugs-on living tissues and how these chemicals help diagnose,
treat, cure, and prevent disease or correct the pathophysiology of living tissues.
 As nurses play an integral role in the administration of medication, they should have a good
understanding of pharmacology. Having this knowledge is very important to prevent possible fatal drug
interactions.

 How did Pharmacology started?

 The turn of the century denoted the origin of pharmacology as a logical discipline in the US. The main
seat in pharmacology in this nation was set up in 1890 at the College of Michigan by John Jacob Abel
who had prepared under Schmiedeberg.

 Define the different drug names

 There are 3 types of names for drugs: chemical names, generic or nonproprietary names, and trade
names which are brand name.

 What are the different drug preparations? What are the nursing considerations before and after administration?
 Preparation:
 Liquid: The active part of the medicine is combined with a liquid to make it easier to take or better
absorbed. A liquid may also be called a ‘mixture’, ‘solution’ or ‘syrup’. Many common liquids are now
available without any added coloring or sugar.
 Tablet: The active ingredient is combined with another substance and pressed into a round or oval solid
shape. There are different types of tablet. Soluble or dispersible tablets can safely be dissolved in water.
 Capsules: The active part of the medicine is contained inside a plastic shell that dissolves slowly in the
stomach. You can take some capsules apart and mix the contents with your child’s favorite food. Others
need to be swallowed whole, so the medicine isn’t absorbed until the stomach acid breaks down the
capsule shell.
https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/medicines-information/types-medicines/
 Consideration BEFORE administration:
 Verify any medication order and make sure it’s complete. The order should include the drug name,
dosage, frequency and route of administration. If any element is missing, check with the practitioner.
 Check the patient's medical record for an allergy or contraindication to the prescribed medication. If an
allergy or contraindications exist, don't administer the medication and notify the practitioner.
 Prepare medications for one patient at a time.
 Educate patients about their medications. Encourage them to speak up if something seems amiss.
 Follow the eight rights of medication administration.
https://www.nursingcenter.com/ncblog/may-2016/medication-safety-go-beyond-the-basics
 Consideration AFTER administration

 Educate client about medications

 Educate client on medication self-administration procedures
  Prepare and administer medications, using rights of medication administration
 Review pertinent data prior to medication administration (e.g., contraindications, lab results, allergies,
potential interactions)
 Mix medications from two vials when necessary (e.g., insulin)
 Administer and document medications given by common routes (e.g., oral, topical)
 Administer and document medications given by parenteral routes (e.g., intravenous, intramuscular,
subcutaneous)
 Participate in medication reconciliation process
 Titrate dosage of medication based on assessment and ordered parameters (e.g., giving insulin
according to blood glucose levels, titrating medication to maintain a specific blood pressure)
 Dispose of unused medications according to facility/agency policy
 Evaluate appropriateness and accuracy of medication order for client
https://www.registerednursing.org/nclex/medication-administration/

Doctor’s order:

 Give Furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg. IV now, then 20 mg IV q 8 hrs. To patients with heart failure. The ampule
contains 10 mg/ml for a total of 2 ml/ ampule.

 How many ml will the nurse aspirate and how many ampules will he/she open?
 Ml will the nurse aspirate
 10 mg/ 1 ml = 20 mg/ 2ml/ampule
 40 mg + 20 + 20 + 20 q 8 hrs. = 100 mg
 100 mg/ (x) 10 ml = 20 mg/2ml
 Final Answer: 10 ml
 Ampules will he/she open
 2 ml/ 1 ampule = 10 ml/ (x) 5 ampules
 Final Answer: 5 ampules

 What are your considerations before you administer Furosemide?

 Furosemide is often given in conjunction with a potassium supplement or a potassium-sparing diuretic to
counteract potassium loss.
 The medication has a rapid onset of effect of about one hour when taken orally and five minutes by injection.
 Duration of action is about six hours so it is possible to use a twice daily dose if necessary.

 In a given order, what is the generic name, the brand name, dosage, and route of administration?
 Generic name: Furosemide
 Brand name: Lasix
 Dosage: 10mg/ml
 Route of administration: Generally, Furosemide should be administered intravenously. Intramuscular
administration must be restricted to exceptional cases where neither oral nor intravenous administration is
feasible. It must be noted that intramuscular injection is not suitable for the treatment of acute conditions such
as pulmonary edema.