Four Basic Terms—

• – Drug: any chemical that can affect living processes
• – Pharmacology: the study of drugs and their interactions with living systems

Chemical properties

• Biochemical and physiological effects
• Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
• Clinical Pharmacology: study of drugs in humans
• Therapeutics: use of drugs to diagnose, prevent and treat illness
• Nurse must have knowledge of…
  • Patient history and drug usage
  • What medications are appropriate and be aware of drug interactions (cooperation between doctor, pharmacist and nurse a must)
  • Drug actions and look for abnormal effects
  • How to be a patient advocate- check for mistakes on part of doctor or pharmacist!!

  – Do NOT blindly follow Dr’s orders– THINK and respond to errors [ do not be intimidated