PAT 20 Week 1 and 2: Introduction and Principles of Pharmacology
Pharmacology Text Chapters 2, 5 (p. 86), 11, 37
1. Define the common terms used in pharmacology (see glossary).
-Chemical name: Describes a drugs composition and molecular structure
-Generic name: A simplified chemical name
-Trade name: AKA a proprietary name. A trade name is used to market drugs with
patents for commercial use. In Canada a patent length is 20 years which covers 10 years
to research and 10 years for sales profits. The patent owner is usually the manufacturer
of the drug.
-Generic brands are created when the patent for a trade name drug expires and
other manufactures can legally produce generic drugs with the same
active ingredients. Generic brands have a lower price because the cost of
research does not need to be covered.
-Drug classification: Grouping drugs of similar properties together. Commonly drugs are
classified by their structure or therapeutic use (e.g., antibiotics, antidepressants,
sedatives). Subclasses exist.
-Drug actions: Cellular processes which change in the presence of a drug.
-Toxicology: The study of the adverse effects of drugs on the living system.
-Pharmacognosy: The study of natural drug sources
-Pharmacoeconmics: The study of the economics of drug therapy.
-Enteric-coated tablets: Tablets with a coating which is dissolved by a specific pH.
Enteric tablets are designed to protect the stomach by have dissolution occur in the
intestines. These tablets are not taken with food as the presence of food can increase
stomach acidity and dissolve the enteric coating early.
-Time-release technology: A technology used in tablets and capsules which slows the
rate of drug release so the drug is released continuously into the bloodstream over a
longer period of time to increase duration of action.
-These drugs can be identified with the following nomenclature: SR (slow
release), SA (sustained action), CR (controlled release), XL (extended
length), and XT (extended time).
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, -Time-release drugs cannot be crushed as they can cause accelerated release.
-Thin-film drug delivery: Drugs which dissolve in the mouth and are absorbed through
the oral mucosa.
-Gastric dumping: A reduction in stomach size (bariatric weight loss) or intestine (short
bowel syndrome) causing drugs to pass quicker and thus decreasing absorption, or
absorption in the target location.
- When blood flow to [an] area is decreased, absorption may also be decreased.
Sepsis and exercise are examples of circumstances under which blood
flow to the gastrointestinal tract is often reduced.
-Intradermal injections: Injections given under the superficial layer of skin (TB test).
-Metabolism: AKA biotransformation in which a drug can be altered to an inactive
metabolite, a more soluble compound, a more potent metabolite, or a less active
metabolite.
- Nurses must be alert to the various factors that can alter transformation with
the accumulation of active metabolites and the risk for subsequent
toxicity. (Lilley 35)
-Half-life: Amount of time necessary for a drugs presence in the body to be reduced to
½ its original concentration. After five half-lives most drugs are considered removed
from the body (97%).
-Steady state: State in which the amount of drug metabolized and inactive is
equal to the amount of drug absorbed with each dose. At this state the effects of
drugs are at their maximal therapeutic value.
-Contradiction: Any factor which makes the administration of a drug unsafe for a
patient.
-Prophylactic therapy: Administration of drugs to prevent illness in a planned event. For
example, giving a vaccine to a patient travelling to malaria prone areas.
-Supportive therapy: Drugs administered to maintain the integrity of bodily function
during recovery or rehab.
-Therapeutic index: The difference between a drugs active level (producing therapeutic
responses) and toxic effects. The larger the difference the safer the drug. Drugs with a
low index are easy to overdose on.
This study source was downloaded by 100000898062787 from CourseHero.com on 09-30-2025 04:50:16 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/251309830/PAT-20-Week-1-and-2-notesdocx/
Pharmacology Text Chapters 2, 5 (p. 86), 11, 37
1. Define the common terms used in pharmacology (see glossary).
-Chemical name: Describes a drugs composition and molecular structure
-Generic name: A simplified chemical name
-Trade name: AKA a proprietary name. A trade name is used to market drugs with
patents for commercial use. In Canada a patent length is 20 years which covers 10 years
to research and 10 years for sales profits. The patent owner is usually the manufacturer
of the drug.
-Generic brands are created when the patent for a trade name drug expires and
other manufactures can legally produce generic drugs with the same
active ingredients. Generic brands have a lower price because the cost of
research does not need to be covered.
-Drug classification: Grouping drugs of similar properties together. Commonly drugs are
classified by their structure or therapeutic use (e.g., antibiotics, antidepressants,
sedatives). Subclasses exist.
-Drug actions: Cellular processes which change in the presence of a drug.
-Toxicology: The study of the adverse effects of drugs on the living system.
-Pharmacognosy: The study of natural drug sources
-Pharmacoeconmics: The study of the economics of drug therapy.
-Enteric-coated tablets: Tablets with a coating which is dissolved by a specific pH.
Enteric tablets are designed to protect the stomach by have dissolution occur in the
intestines. These tablets are not taken with food as the presence of food can increase
stomach acidity and dissolve the enteric coating early.
-Time-release technology: A technology used in tablets and capsules which slows the
rate of drug release so the drug is released continuously into the bloodstream over a
longer period of time to increase duration of action.
-These drugs can be identified with the following nomenclature: SR (slow
release), SA (sustained action), CR (controlled release), XL (extended
length), and XT (extended time).
This study source was downloaded by 100000898062787 from CourseHero.com on 09-30-2025 04:50:16 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/251309830/PAT-20-Week-1-and-2-notesdocx/
, -Time-release drugs cannot be crushed as they can cause accelerated release.
-Thin-film drug delivery: Drugs which dissolve in the mouth and are absorbed through
the oral mucosa.
-Gastric dumping: A reduction in stomach size (bariatric weight loss) or intestine (short
bowel syndrome) causing drugs to pass quicker and thus decreasing absorption, or
absorption in the target location.
- When blood flow to [an] area is decreased, absorption may also be decreased.
Sepsis and exercise are examples of circumstances under which blood
flow to the gastrointestinal tract is often reduced.
-Intradermal injections: Injections given under the superficial layer of skin (TB test).
-Metabolism: AKA biotransformation in which a drug can be altered to an inactive
metabolite, a more soluble compound, a more potent metabolite, or a less active
metabolite.
- Nurses must be alert to the various factors that can alter transformation with
the accumulation of active metabolites and the risk for subsequent
toxicity. (Lilley 35)
-Half-life: Amount of time necessary for a drugs presence in the body to be reduced to
½ its original concentration. After five half-lives most drugs are considered removed
from the body (97%).
-Steady state: State in which the amount of drug metabolized and inactive is
equal to the amount of drug absorbed with each dose. At this state the effects of
drugs are at their maximal therapeutic value.
-Contradiction: Any factor which makes the administration of a drug unsafe for a
patient.
-Prophylactic therapy: Administration of drugs to prevent illness in a planned event. For
example, giving a vaccine to a patient travelling to malaria prone areas.
-Supportive therapy: Drugs administered to maintain the integrity of bodily function
during recovery or rehab.
-Therapeutic index: The difference between a drugs active level (producing therapeutic
responses) and toxic effects. The larger the difference the safer the drug. Drugs with a
low index are easy to overdose on.
This study source was downloaded by 100000898062787 from CourseHero.com on 09-30-2025 04:50:16 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/251309830/PAT-20-Week-1-and-2-notesdocx/
