Basics

Question 1

Pharmacokinetics

Answer 1

How the qualities of the body affect the action of the drug

Absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination

Question 2

Pharmacodynamics

Answer 2

Mechanism of action

The effects of the drug on the body.

Agonist? Antagonist?

Question 3

Drugs can be classified by

Answer 3

Therapeutic properties
Body system affected
Chemical structure

Question 4

Therapeutic effect

Answer 4

Intended effect

Question 5

Side effect

Answer 5

Unintended effect of drug.

Question 6

Unpredictable effect

Answer 6

Allergic or hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic reaction.

Question 7

Anaphylaxis

Answer 7

Hypersensitivity reaction characterized by decreased blood pressure and restricted airflow.

Question 8

Four mechanisms of drug action

Answer 8

1. Combining with specific cellular receptors
2. Chemically altering body fluids
3. Chemically altering cell membranes.
4. Interacting with extracellular enzyme systems.

Question 9

Half life

Answer 9

The time it takes for the body’s normal metabolic and elimination processes to reduce the blood concentration of the drug by one half.

Question 10

Onset of action

Answer 10

Time it takes for drug to have an effect.

Administration method a factor.

Question 11

Pharmacology

Answer 11

The study of the action of chemicals on living organisms to produce biological effects

Question 12

Bioavailability

Answer 12

The amount of drug that enters systemic circulation, and that is available to produce its effects

Question 13

Parenteral administration

Answer 13

Injections (although technically anything not GI)

Question 14

4 steps of drug processing

Answer 14

Dissolving/dissociating
Metabolism
Distribution
Elimination

Question 15

Excipients

Answer 15

Inactive substances added to medications in order to:

1. Maintain stability during storage
2. Ensure easy dissolution and dissociation in GI tract

Question 16

Absorption of drug into GI tract influenced by:

Answer 16

Chemistry 
Dosage
Form of administration 
Particle size
GI paths

Question 17

First pass effect

Answer 17

The effects of liver processing on a drug that has entered bloodstream via GI tract.

Question 18

If drugs aren’t affected by liver enzymes …

Answer 18

Usually excreted in original form.

Question 19

Drug distribution is affected by

Answer 19

Rate of blood flow

How much drug is bound to plasma proteins.

Blood brain barrier.

Question 20

How will fasting, or liver/kidney disease affect drug effectiveness?

Answer 20

Less albumin –> less binding to plasma proteins –> more available to tissues

Question 21

Absoption

Answer 21

The process by which drugs enter the bloodstream.