D398 INTRO TO PHARMACOLOGY - COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE 2026 Western Governors University
D398 INTRO TO PHARMACOLOGY -
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
Western Governors University
SECTION 1: MEDICATION SAFETY AND DRUG REGULATIONS
Key Legislation
1906 Pure Food and Drug Act
• Established drug standards for strength, purity, and quality
• Mandated labeling of dangerous ingredients
1938 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• Established the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
• Required drug approval before release
• Mandated warning labels
1970 Controlled Substances Act
• Established the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency)
• Created five schedules for controlled substances
• Required prescriber registration with the DEA
Controlled Substance Schedules
Schedule I
• Highest abuse potential
, • NO accepted medical use in the US
• Examples: heroin, LSD
Schedule II
• High abuse/dependence potential
• Accepted medical use
• Examples: morphine, amphetamine, fentanyl
,Schedule III
• Moderate to low abuse/dependence risk
• Examples: anabolic steroids, certain barbiturates
Schedule IV
• Low abuse/dependence risk
• Examples: diazepam (Valium), phenobarbital
Schedule V
• Lowest abuse/dependence risk
• Examples: cough suppressants with codeine, antidiarrheal medications
Drug Classification Systems
By Name Type:
• Chemical Name: Describes molecular structure
• Generic Name: Official non-proprietary name
• Trade Name: Brand name (proprietary, trademarked)
By Legal Classification:
• Prescription Drugs: Require a written order from a licensed provider
• OTC Drugs: Can be purchased without a prescription
• Controlled Substances: Regulated by the DEA schedules
Medication Safety - Rights of Drug Administration
✓ Right Patient ✓ Right Drug ✓ Right Dose ✓ Right Route ✓ Right Time
Error Prevention Strategies
Tall Man Lettering
• Uses selective capitalization to distinguish look-alike/sound-alike drugs
• Examples: predniSONE vs. predniSOLONE, hydrALAZINE vs. hydrOXYzine
Leading Causes of Drug Errors:
1. Look-alike/Sound-alike (LASA) drug names
2. Illegible handwriting
, 3. Misheard verbal orders
4. Misplaced/missing zeros and decimal points
5. Ambiguous abbreviations
6. Incorrect route of administration
Medication Guides
• Paper handouts provided with many prescription medicines
• Contain FDA-approved information
• Help patients avoid serious adverse events
• Required in most outpatient settings
Drug References
• Physician's Desk Reference (PDR): Compiles FDA-approved package inserts
• United States Pharmacopeia: Sets standards for identity, quality, strength, purity
SECTION 2: DRUG PROCESSING AND PHARMACOKINETICS
Sources of Drugs
Natural Sources
Plant-Derived:
• Cinchona bark (cardiovascular effects)
• Purple foxglove (cardiac glycosides)
• Poppy plants (pain relief, opioids)
Mineral-Derived:
• Zinc, iron, magnesium, gold
• Used in Eastern medicine
• Copper (cardiovascular benefits)
Animal-Derived:
• From glands, organs, tissues
• Blood thinners
• Hormone replacements
Synthetic Sources
GUIDE 2026 Western Governors University
D398 INTRO TO PHARMACOLOGY -
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
Western Governors University
SECTION 1: MEDICATION SAFETY AND DRUG REGULATIONS
Key Legislation
1906 Pure Food and Drug Act
• Established drug standards for strength, purity, and quality
• Mandated labeling of dangerous ingredients
1938 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• Established the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
• Required drug approval before release
• Mandated warning labels
1970 Controlled Substances Act
• Established the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency)
• Created five schedules for controlled substances
• Required prescriber registration with the DEA
Controlled Substance Schedules
Schedule I
• Highest abuse potential
, • NO accepted medical use in the US
• Examples: heroin, LSD
Schedule II
• High abuse/dependence potential
• Accepted medical use
• Examples: morphine, amphetamine, fentanyl
,Schedule III
• Moderate to low abuse/dependence risk
• Examples: anabolic steroids, certain barbiturates
Schedule IV
• Low abuse/dependence risk
• Examples: diazepam (Valium), phenobarbital
Schedule V
• Lowest abuse/dependence risk
• Examples: cough suppressants with codeine, antidiarrheal medications
Drug Classification Systems
By Name Type:
• Chemical Name: Describes molecular structure
• Generic Name: Official non-proprietary name
• Trade Name: Brand name (proprietary, trademarked)
By Legal Classification:
• Prescription Drugs: Require a written order from a licensed provider
• OTC Drugs: Can be purchased without a prescription
• Controlled Substances: Regulated by the DEA schedules
Medication Safety - Rights of Drug Administration
✓ Right Patient ✓ Right Drug ✓ Right Dose ✓ Right Route ✓ Right Time
Error Prevention Strategies
Tall Man Lettering
• Uses selective capitalization to distinguish look-alike/sound-alike drugs
• Examples: predniSONE vs. predniSOLONE, hydrALAZINE vs. hydrOXYzine
Leading Causes of Drug Errors:
1. Look-alike/Sound-alike (LASA) drug names
2. Illegible handwriting
, 3. Misheard verbal orders
4. Misplaced/missing zeros and decimal points
5. Ambiguous abbreviations
6. Incorrect route of administration
Medication Guides
• Paper handouts provided with many prescription medicines
• Contain FDA-approved information
• Help patients avoid serious adverse events
• Required in most outpatient settings
Drug References
• Physician's Desk Reference (PDR): Compiles FDA-approved package inserts
• United States Pharmacopeia: Sets standards for identity, quality, strength, purity
SECTION 2: DRUG PROCESSING AND PHARMACOKINETICS
Sources of Drugs
Natural Sources
Plant-Derived:
• Cinchona bark (cardiovascular effects)
• Purple foxglove (cardiac glycosides)
• Poppy plants (pain relief, opioids)
Mineral-Derived:
• Zinc, iron, magnesium, gold
• Used in Eastern medicine
• Copper (cardiovascular benefits)
Animal-Derived:
• From glands, organs, tissues
• Blood thinners
• Hormone replacements
Synthetic Sources
