Pharmacology

Assignment 1
Please research the following:

1. What is Pharmacology?
Pharmacology is the scientific study of the effects of drugs and chemicals on living organisms
where a drug can be broadly defined as any chemical substance, natural or synthetic which
affects a biological system. Pharmacology may involve how organisms handle drugs,
identification and validation of new targets for drug action, and the design and development of
new drugs to prevent, treat and cure disease. (According to pharmacology for nurses fourth
edition The word pharmacology is derived from two Greek words: pharmakon, which means
“medicine,” and logos, which means “study.” Pharmacology is an expansive subject ranging
from understanding how drugs are administered, to where they travel in the body, to the actual
responses produced.) Pharmacology has two major branches: 1. Pharmacokinetics, which
refers to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. 2. Pharmacodynamics,
which refers to the molecular, biochemical, and physiological effects of drugs, including drug
mechanism of action

2. Importance of Pharmacology to Nurses.

● Understand drugs and how they can affect living things
● Know the right dosage of drugs and not just quantity
● Identify and respond to drug interactions, reactions and side effects and treat
accordingly
● Know when to use drugs because some conditions do not need drug therapy
● Understand the process of drug intake, absorption, distribution, metabolism and
elimination.
● Identify the properties of ideal drugs and otherwise it will create problems.
● Know the application of pharmacology in nursing with regards to the 6 rights of; (1. Use
right drug 2. Give to the right patient 3. Give right dose 4. Give by right route 5. Give at
the right time and 6. Right documentation)
The nurse's understanding of pharmacology is important in her role of educating patients about
medications, dosages and possible side effects. A nurse who is not knowledgeable about
pharmacology can put patients at-risk.

3. What is a drug?
Drug
A drug is a chemical that interacts with proteins in the body to affect a physiological function.
This is the general idea behind all medicine. Once these chemicals are absorbed into the
systemic circulation they bind with certain proteins and this changes the functioning of the cell
slightly. For example, anticancer drugs bind to proteins on the surface of cancer cells this
stimulates the cells to die. In this case cell death is the physiological action of the drug.
What is in a drug
The chemical in the drug that affects physiological functioning is the active ingredient of the
drug. For most drugs, the amount of chemical needed to cause an effect is very small, often as
small as 5 micrograms; this is 0.005% of a gram! As you can imagine this is too small to
package and handle, these ingredients are very expensive and giving out little amounts like that
will cause most of the drug to be lost and wasted. Therefore most of the drugs that we take are
also comprised of inactive ingredients that work to fill out the drug. Inactive ingredients are, as
the name suggests, ingredients that have no effect on the functioning of cells, namely lactose,
dyes and gluten. If the drug needs to be taken orally, the inactive ingredients also work to bind
the drug together and lubricate the drug so it is easy to swallow.
4. Classifications of Drugs?
Drug classifications organize drugs into categories. There are three main methods of drug
classifications:
● Chemical makeup
● Effects
● Legal definition
At the same time, some drugs are grouped under one drug classification. But, the drugs may
not be together under another classification. At the same time, a drug can be in multiple classes
within the same classification.
The purpose of drug classification is to ensure drug use is safe and beneficial. But, each time a
drug is used, people’s body chemistry is changed. And although drugs are meant to be helpful,
they can be harmful. Sadly, taking multiple drugs can change body chemistry so much it makes
drugs less useful. Above all, it makes side effects more severe.

Pharmacology Classification of Drugs By Chemical Makeup

Chemical similarities classify drugs because they often have the same impact and risks. A drug-
dependent person is also likely to misuse drugs with chemical similarities. Additionally,
chemically similar drugs often have the same effects in treatment.
(Alcohol, Opioids, Benzodiazepines,Cannabinoids, Barbiturates)

Pharmacology Classification of Drugs By Effects

Drug classification by their impact on the mind and body is another way of classifying drugs. For
example, one drug makes a person energetic. However, another drug makes them relax
(Depressants, Stimulants, Hallucinogens, Inhalants)

Pharmacology Classification of Drugs By Legal Definition

In 1970 the federal government passed the Controlled Substance Act. It was in response to the
drug epidemic. The Act establishes five pharmacology classifications of drugs or schedules.The
drug’s schedule is based on potential medical use, the potential for misuse, and addiction risk.
But, international treaties are an exception. The U.S. must use certain drug classifications to
comply with diplomatic agreements. These agreements include the Single Convention on
Narcotic Drugs. (Schedule V , Schedule IV, Schedule III, Schedule II, Schedule I)

5. Nurse responsibilities in Drug Therapy?

the role of the nurse in drug therapy can be broadly summarized under the following headings:

• to ensure that the correct dosage is given at the correct time and by the correct route,
observing any special requirements

• to observe/report any side effects and consequences of drug interactions

• to take action to alleviate unavoidable side effects

• to observe and assess the patient so that medical and nursing decisions can be made

• to participate in education and guidance of patients (and in some cases their relatives) with
regard to their drug therapy

• to take action to promote patient compliance and the achievement of therapeutic objectives

• to provide nursing care to help reduce, or obviate, the need for drug therapy

• to follow recognised procedures for the control of medicines and pharmaceutical products

• to contribute to the evaluation, research and development of new treatments, and/or the
reassessment of existing treatments

• to contribute to the development of medicine management in a changing environment.

6. 10 Rights of the drug administration

The 10 Rights of Medications Administration

1. Right patient

● Check the name on the prescription and wristband.

● Ideally, use 2 or more identifiers and ask the patient to identify themselves.

2. Right medication
 ● Check the name of the medication, brand names should be avoided.
● Check the expiry date.
● Check the prescription.
● Make sure medications, especially antibiotics, are reviewed regularly.

3. Right dose

● Check the prescription.

● Confirm the appropriateness of the dose using the BNF or local guidelines.
● If necessary, calculate the dose and have another nurse calculate the dose as well.

4. Right route

● Again, check the order and appropriateness of the route prescribed.

● Confirm that the patient can take or receive the medication by the ordered route.

5. Right time

● Check the frequency of the prescribed medication.

● Double-check that you are giving the prescribed at the correct time.
● Confirm when the last dose was given.

6. Right patient education

● Check if the patient understands what the medication is for.

● Make them aware they should contact a healthcare professional if they experience side-
effects or reactions.

7. Right documentation

● Ensure you have signed for the medication AFTER it has been administered.
● Ensure the medication is prescribed correctly with a start and end date if appropriate.
8. Right to refuse

● Ensure you have the patient consent to administer medications.

● Be aware that patients do have a right to refuse medication if they have the capacity to
do so.

9. Right assessment

● Check your patient actually needs the medication.

● Check for contraindications.
● Baseline observations if required.

10. Right evaluation

● Ensure the medication is working the way it should.

● Ensure medications are reviewed regularly.
● Ongoing observations if required.