Introduction to Pharmacology
Pat Woodbery, ARNP-C
Professor of Nursing
Valencia Community College
Orlando,Florida
Why Should the Nursing Student Study
Pharmacology?
 The
doctor orders Glyburide or did
you hear Glipizide?
 The
nurse practitioner orders Lente
Insulin or did you hear Lantus Insulin?
Generic vs Trade Names
Define
• Generic (Page 16 Aucker)
• Trade Name (Page 16
Aucker)
• Give additional examples
• Diabeta
• Lantus
• Tylenol
Sources of Pharmacologic Information
 There
are many, the internet,
Physician’s Desk Reference, etc.
 VCC uses Davis Drug Guide and
Lilley & Aucker Text
Catagories of Controlled Substances
The controlled substance categories are listed on
page 45
 Identify the categories and the restrictions

Pharmacokinetics
 Define:
 Page
16
Absorption (Refer to table 2-2)

Tablets/Capsules faster or
slower then liquids?

Intramuscular faster or
slower then Intravenous?

Subcutaneous faster or
slower then oral agents?
Distribution

Define: Pg 21

Free unbound

Protein binding
Metabolism and Excretion

Definition of Metabolism: Page 22-23 Let’s look
up Codeine in Davis

How is Codeine metabolized?


Page 203-204 Davis
How is Codeine excreted?

Page 204 Davis Drug Guide
What is Serum Half Life?
 Definition:
Page 23
 What is the Half
Life of Codeine?
Adverse Reactions

Drug-Drug Interactions
definition? Page 27

What are the Drug-Drug
Interactions for Codeine?

Adverse Effects definition?
Page 28

What are the adverse effects
for Codeine?
TEST QUESTIONS

The nurse is uncertain about the classification
of a drug that is ordered. What is the first
action the nurse should take before delivery of
this medication?




A.
B.
C.
D.
Check patient’s arm band
Call doctor to verify order
Notify the pharmacist
Use drug references
D

Always look up a drug you are unfamiliar with, it
may take a few minutes, but it may save a life!
TEST QUESTIONS

The doctor orders a drug using the generic
name. What is your best action when the drug
is delivered with a trade name you have not
seen before?




A. Call doctor to verify order
B. Notify the pharmacist
C. Give drug cautiously
D. Use drug references
D
Lots of drugs have similar names, some are not
even in the same class!
 Please check out this list!

The END