N104: Essentials of Nursing Care - Health Safety

N104: Essentials of Nursing Care – Health Safety Study Guide o Transdermal patch: Medication embedded in a material that is then attached to the skin for absorption through the skin over a period of time o Tincture: Medication dissolved in an alcohol based solution o Liniment: Medication dissolved in alcohol, soap, or oil for absorption through the skin • Suppository o Rectal: Medication mixed in a base that melts when in contact with the heat in the rectum o Vaginal: Medication mixed in a base that melts when in contact with the heat in the vagina Classification of Medications There are many different ways to classify medications. Medications may belong to several different classifications. The nurse must always research any unfamiliar medication before giving it to the patient. Some of the more common classifications of medications include: • Antibiotics: Used to stop the growth of bacteria, antibiotics are used in the case of infection. • Analgesics: For control of less intense pain, analgesics include drugs such as acetaminophen and narcotics. • Narcotics, hypnotics, and sedatives: Controlled substances that control intense pain or affect the mind to induce relaxation or sleep. These substances are categorized as scheduled drugs: o Schedule I: High potential for abuse and not accepted for medical use (e.g., heroin and LSD) o Schedule II: High potential for abuse and dependency, but acceptable for medical use; (e.g., morphine, meperidine, and methadone) o Schedule III: Lower potential for abuse and acceptable for medical use (e.g., some codeine preparations) o Schedule IV: Limited potential for abuse and acceptable for medical use (e.g., Phenobarbital) o Schedule V: Minimal potential for abuse and acceptable for medical use (e.g., cough remedies) • Anti-inflammatories: Medications that reduce inflammation. They may be steroidal or non- steroidal (NSAIDS). An anti-inflammatory may also reduce pain. • Anti-emetics: Medications that control nausea and vomiting. Zofran and Phenergan are common examples of anti-emetics. • Anti-pyretics: Medications that reduce fever. Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, and aspirin are common anti-pyretics. • Anti-hypertensives: Medications that control blood pressure. Within this classification, there are many additional classifications. Pharmacokinetics Pharmacokinetics includes the study of the mechanisms of absorption, the distribution of an administered drug, the rate at which a drug action begins, the duration of the effect, the chemical changes of the substance in the body, and the effects and routes of excretion of the metabolites of the drug. Pharmacokinetics is divided into several areas including the extent and rate of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. This is commonly referred to as the ADME scheme:

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