Foundations of Nursing Pharmacology
Definition and Scope of Pharmacology
Pharmacology is derived from the Greek words 'pharmakon' (drug) and 'logos' (study),
indicating its foundational role in medicine.
It is the science that studies drugs and their effects on living organisms, encompassing
various aspects such as drug action, therapeutic effects, and side effects.
Understanding pharmacology is essential for nurses to ensure safe and effective
medication administration.
Key Terminology in Pharmacology
Drugs: Refers to legal medications used for therapeutic purposes, including both
prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
Pharmacodynamics: The study of what drugs do to the body, including mechanisms of
action and effects.
Pharmacokinetics: The study of how the body affects a drug, including absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
Sources of Drugs
Natural Sources: Drugs derived from plants (e.g., morphine from the poppy plant) and
animals (e.g., insulin from pigs).
Manufactured Drugs: Pharmacologically active compounds that are processed for
reliability and potency, such as synthetic drugs like ibuprofen.
Inorganic Compounds: Salts and minerals with therapeutic effects, e.g., aluminum as
an antacid.
Drug Classification and Nomenclature
Types of Drug Names
Chemical Name: A precise description of a drug's chemical composition (e.g., N-(-4-
hydroxyphenyl) acetamide).
Generic Name: A shorter name derived from the chemical name, often less expensive
(e.g., acetaminophen).
Definition and Scope of Pharmacology
Pharmacology is derived from the Greek words 'pharmakon' (drug) and 'logos' (study),
indicating its foundational role in medicine.
It is the science that studies drugs and their effects on living organisms, encompassing
various aspects such as drug action, therapeutic effects, and side effects.
Understanding pharmacology is essential for nurses to ensure safe and effective
medication administration.
Key Terminology in Pharmacology
Drugs: Refers to legal medications used for therapeutic purposes, including both
prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
Pharmacodynamics: The study of what drugs do to the body, including mechanisms of
action and effects.
Pharmacokinetics: The study of how the body affects a drug, including absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
Sources of Drugs
Natural Sources: Drugs derived from plants (e.g., morphine from the poppy plant) and
animals (e.g., insulin from pigs).
Manufactured Drugs: Pharmacologically active compounds that are processed for
reliability and potency, such as synthetic drugs like ibuprofen.
Inorganic Compounds: Salts and minerals with therapeutic effects, e.g., aluminum as
an antacid.
Drug Classification and Nomenclature
Types of Drug Names
Chemical Name: A precise description of a drug's chemical composition (e.g., N-(-4-
hydroxyphenyl) acetamide).
Generic Name: A shorter name derived from the chemical name, often less expensive
(e.g., acetaminophen).
