,Pharmacology for Nurses
SENIOR CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS
TINA BARBOUR-TAYLOR, UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
LEAH MUELLER (SABATO), MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
DONNA PARIS, TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER
SCHOOL OF NURSING
DORIE WEAVER, FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY
,CHAPTER 1
Introduction to Pharmacology
FIGURE 1.1 Pharmacology is the study of the biological effects of drugs on the body.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
1.1 Pharmacology, Interdisciplinary Teams, and Nursing Practice
1.2 Drug Sources, Forms, and Names
1.3 Drug Classifications and Prototypes
1.4 Special Considerations
INTRODUCTION This book aims to provide a fundamental understanding of the pharmacological use of drugs that
the nurse needs to provide safe and effective care to the client. It is vital to comprehend not only the mechanisms
by which drugs impact the human body but also how a client’s physiological factors influence drug responses. Along
with a discussion of each body system, this text will also review the pathophysiology of various disease processes
and medications used in treatment. The field of medicine is constantly changing, and the nurse must stay vigilant
about keeping up to date with new drugs and research in disease process. For the nurse, education is a lifelong
process.
1.1 Pharmacology, Interdisciplinary Teams, and Nursing Practice
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this section, you should be able to:
• 1.1.1 Define pharmacology.
• 1.1.2 Identify key events in the history of pharmacology.
• 1.1.3 Discuss the interdisciplinary nature of pharmacology and client care.
• 1.1.4 Explain the importance of pharmacology in nursing practice.
, 16 1 • Introduction to Pharmacology
CASE STUDY
Read the following clinical scenario to answer the questions that follow.
Vy Min is a 34-year-old client who presents to her health care provider’s office with reports of a headache, cough,
and sharp right-sided chest pain during deep inspiration and coughing. The client states she has been taking
acetaminophen 1000 mg every 4 hours for the last 48 hours and dextromethorphan 2 teaspoons every 4 hours, as
needed, for coughing.
History
Seasonal allergies
Indigestion
Current Medications
Cetirizine 10 mg orally daily
Dextromethorphan (Robitussin) 2 tsp orally every 4 hours as needed for cough
Acetaminophen 1000 mg orally every 4 hours for 48 hours
A small red pill (taken for indigestion, she doesn’t recall its name)
Vital Signs Physical Examination
Temperature: 100.4°F • Head, eyes, ears, nose, throat (HEENT): Within normal limits
Blood pressure: 118/66 mm • Cardiovascular: No jugular vein distention; no peripheral edema noted
Hg bilaterally; S1, S2 noted
• Respiratory: Right-sided crackles posteriorly
Heart rate: 90 beats/
• GI: Abdomen soft, nontender, nondistended
min
• GU: Reports normal urine output
Respiratory rate: 18 breaths/
min
TABLE 1.1
SENIOR CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS
TINA BARBOUR-TAYLOR, UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
LEAH MUELLER (SABATO), MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
DONNA PARIS, TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER
SCHOOL OF NURSING
DORIE WEAVER, FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY
,CHAPTER 1
Introduction to Pharmacology
FIGURE 1.1 Pharmacology is the study of the biological effects of drugs on the body.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
1.1 Pharmacology, Interdisciplinary Teams, and Nursing Practice
1.2 Drug Sources, Forms, and Names
1.3 Drug Classifications and Prototypes
1.4 Special Considerations
INTRODUCTION This book aims to provide a fundamental understanding of the pharmacological use of drugs that
the nurse needs to provide safe and effective care to the client. It is vital to comprehend not only the mechanisms
by which drugs impact the human body but also how a client’s physiological factors influence drug responses. Along
with a discussion of each body system, this text will also review the pathophysiology of various disease processes
and medications used in treatment. The field of medicine is constantly changing, and the nurse must stay vigilant
about keeping up to date with new drugs and research in disease process. For the nurse, education is a lifelong
process.
1.1 Pharmacology, Interdisciplinary Teams, and Nursing Practice
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this section, you should be able to:
• 1.1.1 Define pharmacology.
• 1.1.2 Identify key events in the history of pharmacology.
• 1.1.3 Discuss the interdisciplinary nature of pharmacology and client care.
• 1.1.4 Explain the importance of pharmacology in nursing practice.
, 16 1 • Introduction to Pharmacology
CASE STUDY
Read the following clinical scenario to answer the questions that follow.
Vy Min is a 34-year-old client who presents to her health care provider’s office with reports of a headache, cough,
and sharp right-sided chest pain during deep inspiration and coughing. The client states she has been taking
acetaminophen 1000 mg every 4 hours for the last 48 hours and dextromethorphan 2 teaspoons every 4 hours, as
needed, for coughing.
History
Seasonal allergies
Indigestion
Current Medications
Cetirizine 10 mg orally daily
Dextromethorphan (Robitussin) 2 tsp orally every 4 hours as needed for cough
Acetaminophen 1000 mg orally every 4 hours for 48 hours
A small red pill (taken for indigestion, she doesn’t recall its name)
Vital Signs Physical Examination
Temperature: 100.4°F • Head, eyes, ears, nose, throat (HEENT): Within normal limits
Blood pressure: 118/66 mm • Cardiovascular: No jugular vein distention; no peripheral edema noted
Hg bilaterally; S1, S2 noted
• Respiratory: Right-sided crackles posteriorly
Heart rate: 90 beats/
• GI: Abdomen soft, nontender, nondistended
min
• GU: Reports normal urine output
Respiratory rate: 18 breaths/
min
TABLE 1.1
