Pharmacotherapeutics Study Guide Exam 1
1.Absorption: The process by which a drug enters the bloodstream
from the site of administration.
2.Distribution: The transport of a drug by the bloodstream to its site of
action.
3.Metabolism (Biotransformation): Conversion of the drug to a more
water-solu- ble form for excretion, primarily occurs in the liver.
4.Excretion: The elimination of drugs from the body, primarily via the
kidneys.
5.First-Pass Effect: Drugs administered orally undergo liver
metabolism before entering systemic circulation.
6.Half-Life: The time required for the concentration of a drug to
decrease by 50%. Drugs with a shorter half-life may require more
frequent dosing intervals.
7.Toxicity: Occurs when drug levels rise too high in the body, often due
to impaired excretion or metabolism.
8.Routes of Administration: The most common routes of administration
are en- teral (through the GI tract) and parenteral (bypassing the GI
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, tract via injection).
9.Teratogenicity: The potential of a drug to harm a fetus during
pregnancy.
10.Therapeutic Index: The ratio between the therapeutic dose and the
toxic dose of a drug.
11.Medications Requiring Monitoring of Blood Levels: Examples include:
1. Xanthines (Theophylline): Theophylline requires regular monitoring of
serum levels, as its therapeutic range is narrow (normal range: 10-20
mcg/mL). Toxicity can cause serious side effects such as tachycardia,
seizures, and arrhythmias.
2. Glucocorticoids (Prednisone, when prescribed for long-term use): Whil
not typically requiring blood level monitoring in short-term use,
glucocorticoids like prednisone may require monitoring for blood glucose
levels, especially in patients with diabetes, due to their hyperglycemic
effects.
12.Nursing Process (ADPIE): Includes assessing, diagnosing, planning,
imple- menting, and evaluating patient responses to medication.
13.Assessment: Collect patient data to evaluate their condition before
administer- ing medications.
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1.Absorption: The process by which a drug enters the bloodstream
from the site of administration.
2.Distribution: The transport of a drug by the bloodstream to its site of
action.
3.Metabolism (Biotransformation): Conversion of the drug to a more
water-solu- ble form for excretion, primarily occurs in the liver.
4.Excretion: The elimination of drugs from the body, primarily via the
kidneys.
5.First-Pass Effect: Drugs administered orally undergo liver
metabolism before entering systemic circulation.
6.Half-Life: The time required for the concentration of a drug to
decrease by 50%. Drugs with a shorter half-life may require more
frequent dosing intervals.
7.Toxicity: Occurs when drug levels rise too high in the body, often due
to impaired excretion or metabolism.
8.Routes of Administration: The most common routes of administration
are en- teral (through the GI tract) and parenteral (bypassing the GI
1
, tract via injection).
9.Teratogenicity: The potential of a drug to harm a fetus during
pregnancy.
10.Therapeutic Index: The ratio between the therapeutic dose and the
toxic dose of a drug.
11.Medications Requiring Monitoring of Blood Levels: Examples include:
1. Xanthines (Theophylline): Theophylline requires regular monitoring of
serum levels, as its therapeutic range is narrow (normal range: 10-20
mcg/mL). Toxicity can cause serious side effects such as tachycardia,
seizures, and arrhythmias.
2. Glucocorticoids (Prednisone, when prescribed for long-term use): Whil
not typically requiring blood level monitoring in short-term use,
glucocorticoids like prednisone may require monitoring for blood glucose
levels, especially in patients with diabetes, due to their hyperglycemic
effects.
12.Nursing Process (ADPIE): Includes assessing, diagnosing, planning,
imple- menting, and evaluating patient responses to medication.
13.Assessment: Collect patient data to evaluate their condition before
administer- ing medications.
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