Pharmacology Basics Flashcards
6 cards from real NRCMA 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 Basics flashcards as text
What is the purpose of the 'Five Rights' in medication administration?
Answer: To prevent medication errors: right patient, drug, dose, route, time
The Five Rights serve as a safety checklist to prevent medication errors during every administration.
What does 'PRN' mean on a prescription?
Answer: As needed
PRN comes from Latin 'pro re nata' meaning 'as needed.'
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 be harmful to the patient.
What is the difference between generic and brand-name drugs?
Answer: Generic drugs have the same active ingredient but different name and typically lower cost
Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients, dosage, and route as brand-name drugs but are marketed under their chemical name at lower cost after patent expiration.
What is a side effect?
Answer: An unintended effect of a medication beyond its intended action
Side effects are unintended responses to a medication that occur alongside the desired therapeutic effect.
What does 'QID' mean in prescription abbreviations?
Answer: Four times a day
QID stands for 'quater in die' (Latin), meaning four times a day.
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