Nursing Download

Nurses need every resource possible to keep their patients safe from untoward drug effects. In the wake of rising public controversy about drug safety and two drug-focused Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports released in 2006, Nursing Spectrum Drug Handbook 2008 is an especially timely publication. The first report, “Preventing Drug Errors,” found that adverse drug events harm at least 1.5 million Americans each year and that the average hospital patient is subject to at least one medication error per day. The second report, “The Future of Drug Safety: Promoting and Protecting the Health of the Public,” continues the national debate over drug safety that intensified after the 2004 withdrawal of Vioxx, the popular arthritis drug associated with double the risk of myocardial infarction. This report found that problems at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as lack of clear regulatory authority, chronic underfunding, and organizational issues, have led to the agency’s failure to ...

Introduction to Drug Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 Introduction to Pharmacology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 A Message to Students 2 Overview 2 Sources of Drugs 3 Drug Classifications and Prototypes 3 Drug Names 3 Drug Marketing 3 Pharmacoeconomics 4 Prescription and Nonprescription Drugs 4 Drug Approval Processes 4 Sources of Drug Information 7 Strategies for Studying Pharmacology 7 2 Basic Concepts and Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Overview 9 Cellular Physiology 9 Drug Transport Through Cell Membranes 10 Pharmacokinetics 10 Pharmacodynamics 15 Variables That Affect Drug Actions 17 Tolerance and Cross-Tolerance 20 Adverse Effects of Drugs 20 3 Administering Medications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Overview 29 General Principles of Accurate Drug Administration 29 Legal Responsibilities 30 Medica...

Abstract: New cardiac drugs appear on the market on a regular basis, however, there are some that remain constant. In this course, the most popular cardiac drug groups will be highlighted to help the healthcare worker determine the best treatment for their patients, and to provide the healthcare worker with the most up-to-date information regarding these drugs. There are ten categories of drugs highlighted with indications and adverse effects noted for each. The learner will be able to differentiate between the categories and determine the best drugs to achieve the desired outcomes. Author: Lynn Randall, R.N., B.S.N. ~~ Peer Review by Steven R. Hill, R.N., B.S. Introduction       This course is designed to introduce the top ten cardiac drugs presently used in the treatment of cardiac failure and myocardial infarction. Drugs are constantly being introduced to the mark...