MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION NU 311 EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
Generic name
A manufacturer who first develops a medication provides it; it is the name listed in the
official publications such as United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
Trade name
(Also called brand name) is used to market the medication; has a symbol at the upper
right of the name (tm)
Chemical name
Describes the composition and molecular structures; rarely used in clinical practice
Therapeutic range
-the range of drug dosages which can treat disease effectively without having toxic
effects
-allows you to provide patient teaching and accurately evaluate desired effects
Side Effect
predictable and often unavoidable secondary effects of a medication at a usual
therapeutic dose
Adverse Drug Effect
unintended, undesirable, and often unpredictable effects of a medication
Toxic Effects
,-medication accumulates in the blood because of impaired metabolism or excretion or
when too high of a dose of medication is given
-excess medication can have lethal effects to your patient. Many drugs have antidotes
to treat toxicity.
Idiosyncratic Effects
-occurs when patients overreact or underreact to a medication or have reactions
different from normal.
-Predicting idiosyncratic reactions is impossible. The example in the book describes
giving Ativan (anti-anxiety drug) to an elderly adult causing agitation and delirium.
Allergic Reactions
-unpredictable responses to medications. Allergic responses range from mild to severe.
-Mild allergic symptoms (urticaria or hives, eczema or rash, pruritis (itching) and rhinitis
(runny nose). Severe or anaphylactic reactions are: sudden constriction of bronchiolar
muscles, edema of the pharynx and larynx, severe wheezing and shortness of breath.
Anaphylaxis is potentially fatal.
Medication Tolerance
-medication tolerance is a decreased physiological response that occurs after repeated
administration of a medication
-usually noted when patients take the same medication for long periods of time and
,require higher doses to produce the desired therapeutic effect. It sometimes takes
months for tolerance to occur
Drug Dependance
-drug dependence can be physical or psychological.
-psychological dependence is exhibited by patients having an emotional desire for a
drug to maintain an effect. Physical dependence is a physiological adaptation to a
medication that manifests itself by an intense physical disturbance when the medication
is withdrawn
Medication Interactions
-occurs when a medication modifies the action of another medication. Medication
interactions may result in an increase of decrease in the therapeutic effect of each
medication
-common problem with older adults who take a variety of medications and who have
multiple physicians.
Absorption
-passage of medication molecules into the blood from the site of administration
-administration route, blood flow to administration site, body surface area, and lipid
solubility of a medication
Distribution
, -process of transporting a drug to the site of action (most medications bind to albumin
for transport)
-circulation, cell membrane permeability, and protein binding
Metabolism of a drug
medication is broken down to remove the active chemicals (most metabolism occurs in
the liver but the lungs, kidneys, blood, and intestines play a role)
Excretion
the process of the medication exiting the body through bowels kidney, liver, exocrine
glands, and lungs
Classifications of Medicine (characteristics)
-Effect on a body system
-Symptoms the medication relieves
-Medication's desired effect
Safety measures to take when picking out a medication with look alike/sound
alike characteristics as that of another medication
TJC publishes a book with a list of these!
-use the generic AND trade name to verify correct drug
-include the purpose of the medication on prescription
AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
Generic name
A manufacturer who first develops a medication provides it; it is the name listed in the
official publications such as United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
Trade name
(Also called brand name) is used to market the medication; has a symbol at the upper
right of the name (tm)
Chemical name
Describes the composition and molecular structures; rarely used in clinical practice
Therapeutic range
-the range of drug dosages which can treat disease effectively without having toxic
effects
-allows you to provide patient teaching and accurately evaluate desired effects
Side Effect
predictable and often unavoidable secondary effects of a medication at a usual
therapeutic dose
Adverse Drug Effect
unintended, undesirable, and often unpredictable effects of a medication
Toxic Effects
,-medication accumulates in the blood because of impaired metabolism or excretion or
when too high of a dose of medication is given
-excess medication can have lethal effects to your patient. Many drugs have antidotes
to treat toxicity.
Idiosyncratic Effects
-occurs when patients overreact or underreact to a medication or have reactions
different from normal.
-Predicting idiosyncratic reactions is impossible. The example in the book describes
giving Ativan (anti-anxiety drug) to an elderly adult causing agitation and delirium.
Allergic Reactions
-unpredictable responses to medications. Allergic responses range from mild to severe.
-Mild allergic symptoms (urticaria or hives, eczema or rash, pruritis (itching) and rhinitis
(runny nose). Severe or anaphylactic reactions are: sudden constriction of bronchiolar
muscles, edema of the pharynx and larynx, severe wheezing and shortness of breath.
Anaphylaxis is potentially fatal.
Medication Tolerance
-medication tolerance is a decreased physiological response that occurs after repeated
administration of a medication
-usually noted when patients take the same medication for long periods of time and
,require higher doses to produce the desired therapeutic effect. It sometimes takes
months for tolerance to occur
Drug Dependance
-drug dependence can be physical or psychological.
-psychological dependence is exhibited by patients having an emotional desire for a
drug to maintain an effect. Physical dependence is a physiological adaptation to a
medication that manifests itself by an intense physical disturbance when the medication
is withdrawn
Medication Interactions
-occurs when a medication modifies the action of another medication. Medication
interactions may result in an increase of decrease in the therapeutic effect of each
medication
-common problem with older adults who take a variety of medications and who have
multiple physicians.
Absorption
-passage of medication molecules into the blood from the site of administration
-administration route, blood flow to administration site, body surface area, and lipid
solubility of a medication
Distribution
, -process of transporting a drug to the site of action (most medications bind to albumin
for transport)
-circulation, cell membrane permeability, and protein binding
Metabolism of a drug
medication is broken down to remove the active chemicals (most metabolism occurs in
the liver but the lungs, kidneys, blood, and intestines play a role)
Excretion
the process of the medication exiting the body through bowels kidney, liver, exocrine
glands, and lungs
Classifications of Medicine (characteristics)
-Effect on a body system
-Symptoms the medication relieves
-Medication's desired effect
Safety measures to take when picking out a medication with look alike/sound
alike characteristics as that of another medication
TJC publishes a book with a list of these!
-use the generic AND trade name to verify correct drug
-include the purpose of the medication on prescription
