Pharmacology Fundamentals Flashcards
6 cards from real ABCN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Pharmacology Fundamentals flashcards as text
What are the "Five Rights" of medication administration?
Answer: Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time
The Five Rights are a fundamental safety framework for medication administration to prevent errors.
What does the term "half-life" refer to in pharmacology?
Answer: The time it takes for the drug concentration to decrease by 50%
Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by one-half, affecting dosing schedules.
What is a drug contraindication?
Answer: A condition that makes a particular treatment inadvisable
A contraindication is a specific situation where a drug should not be used because it may cause harm.
What is the difference between a side effect and an adverse reaction?
Answer: Side effects are expected; adverse reactions are harmful and unexpected
Side effects are predictable secondary effects, while adverse reactions are unexpected harmful responses to medication.
Why is it important to check for drug allergies before administration?
Answer: To prevent potentially life-threatening allergic reactions
Checking allergies prevents serious reactions including anaphylaxis, which can be fatal if not identified beforehand.
What does "PRN" mean in medication orders?
Answer: As needed (pro re nata)
PRN (pro re nata) means medication is given as needed based on patient symptoms rather than on a fixed schedule.