Pharmacology & Drug Administration Flashcards

When preparing to assist with medication administration, the healthcare aide should check the 'Six Rights.' Which of the following is NOT one of them?

Answer: Right physician

The Six Rights of medication administration include right patient, medication, dose, route, time, and documentation — not right physician.

A medication order reads '500 mg PO QID.' How many times per day should this medication be given?

Answer: Four times

QID means four times daily in medication abbreviation terminology.

Which of the following best describes a drug's 'half-life'?

Answer: The time needed for the body to eliminate half the drug's concentration

Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50% after administration.

Which medication storage condition is most commonly required to prevent degradation?

Answer: Keep at room temperature away from heat and moisture

Most medications should be stored at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture to maintain potency and stability.

A patient is allergic to penicillin. The nurse asks the aide to document this. Where should this information be recorded?

Answer: In the patient's allergy section of the medical record

Allergies must be prominently documented in the patient's official medical record allergy section to prevent dangerous medication errors.

What does the term 'contraindication' mean in pharmacology?

Answer: A situation or condition in which a medication should NOT be used

A contraindication is a specific condition or circumstance that makes a particular treatment or medication inadvisable or potentially harmful.

Which type of drug interaction occurs when two medications together produce a greater effect than either would alone?

Answer: Synergism

Synergism (or synergistic effect) occurs when two drugs combined produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.