Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Medicine & Health

Pharmacology Fundamentals

Pharmacokinetics: What the Body Does to the Drug

Phases:

1. Absorption – How a drug enters the bloodstream

2. Distribution – How a drug travels through the body

3. Metabolism – How a drug is broken down (mainly in the liver)

4. Excretion – How a drug leaves the body (mainly through the kidneys)

🧠 Memory Trick: ADME — Absorb, Deliver, Metabolize, Exit

Pharmacodynamics: What the Drug Does to the Body

• Describes how a drug works at the target site

• Involves receptor binding, enzyme interactions, and therapeutic vs. side effects

Examples:

• Beta blockers bind to beta receptors → slow heart rate

• Insulin binds to insulin receptors → lowers blood sugar

Drug Release Types: ER, IR, SR, XL, CR

Flabby Etiology and Treatment

Etiology of Flabby Tissue:

1. Old, loose dentures.
2. Anterior interference determining Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO).
3. Rapid ridge resorption leading to a knife-edge ridge.
4. Complete maxillary denture opposing natural mandibular teeth.
5. Loose, ill-fitting dentures.
6. Dentures with anterior porcelain teeth and posterior resin teeth.
7. Over-eruption of opposing natural teeth.
8. Failure to remove dentures at night.
9. Overextended denture border causing epulis fissuratum.

Treatment for Flabby Tissue:

A) Removal of Cause:

• Remove pressure areas.
• Relining old dentures with soft tissue conditioning.
• Correction of occlusal disharmonies.
• Restoration of lost VDO.

B) Remove Denture: (For acute inflammation).

C) Recovery Program:

1. Massage soft tissues.

Diabetes Mellitus Essentials

• Type 1: Autoimmune, insulin-dependent, early onset.
• Type 2: Insulin resistance, gradual onset, linked to diet/weight.
• Diagnosis: Fasting glucose >126 mg/dL, HbA1c.
• Metformin: Hold before contrast dye; risk of lactic acidosis.

Hypoglycemia vs. Hyperglycemia

• Hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL): Shaky, sweaty, confused, hungry.
• Hyperglycemia: Headache, nausea, fruity breath.
• Treatment: Juice/glucose if conscious; glucagon or D50 if unconscious.

Insulin Types and Administration

• Rapid-acting (Lispro): Onset 10–15 min, eat immediately after injection.
• Short-acting (Regular): Onset 30–60 min.
• Intermediate-acting (NPH): Peak 4–12 hr (cloudy appearance).
• Long-acting (Glargine): No peak, lasts 24 hr.
• Mixing Insulin: Clear (Regular) before

Diuretics (Water Pills)

Diuretics, also known as water pills, are medications that help your body get rid of excess fluid by increasing urine production. They are commonly used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, and edema (swelling caused by fluid retention).

Types of Diuretics

1. Thiazide Diuretics: These are often used to treat high blood pressure. Examples include hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone.
2. Loop Diuretics: These are used to treat edema and heart failure. Examples include furosemide (Lasix) and bumetanide.
3. Potassium-Sparing Diuretics: These help the body get rid of water without losing potassium. Examples include spironolactone and amiloride.

How Diuretics Work

Diuretics work on different parts of the kidneys... Continue reading "Essential Pharmacology: Drug Classes, Mechanisms, and SAR" »

Documentation and Physician Orders

Recall and Documentation: When giving a report, include the patient's condition, changes within the last 24 hours, abnormal laboratory results, recent vital signs, medications, new orders, and tasks for the next shift.

Transcribing Physician Orders: Ensure the inclusion of the date, time, signature, and accuracy. Verbal Orders: These are permitted only in emergencies. You must read back the order to the physician. It must be signed later, typically within 24 hours.

Heparin Administration and Monitoring

Action: Heparin blocks the conversion of fibrins and acts as an anticoagulant to prevent blood clot formation; it prolongs clotting time. It can be administered as a bolus or via IV. The minimum bolus rate is 25... Continue reading "Essential Nursing Procedures and Clinical Documentation" »

Anti-Motility Medications (Pharmacy Only)

These medications work by relaxing the smooth muscles in the intestinal wall, reducing bowel movements.

Loperamide + Co-phenotrope (Dhamotil)

Loperamide

• Indication: Symptomatic relief of acute or chronic diarrhea.
• Dose: Maximum 16mg daily. Limit use to less than 48 hours.
• Side Effects: Constipation, nausea, vomiting, bloating.
• Special Precautions (SPC):
  • Stop taking once diarrhea resolves (constipation may occur).
  • Take with food.

Co-phenotrope

• Indication: Acute diarrhea in adults.
• Dose: Maximum 8 tablets daily.
• Contraindications: Not for children under 12 years old.
• Special Precautions (SPC): May cause dizziness and drowsiness; do not drive or operate machinery.

Adsorbent Medications (General Sales List)

Adsorbents... Continue reading "Effective Diarrhea Relief: Medications and Management" »

Common Medications and Memory Tricks

Common Medical Abbreviations

• RSI: Repetitive Stress Injury
• SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder
• SIDS: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
• GP: General Practitioner
• HAV: Hepatitis A Virus
• MD: Medical Doctor

Medications and Treatments

• Decongestant: Decreases nasal stuffiness and relieves a runny nose.
• Anticoagulant: Prevents or delays blood clotting.
• Sedative: Relieves symptoms of stress, irritability, or excitement.
• Laxative: Relieves constipation.
• Digitalis: Strengthens the failing heart.
• Diuretic: Removes excess fluid from the body.
• Antibiotic: Treats infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms.
• Insulin: Regulates the level of sugar in the blood, used to treat diabetes.

Common Symptoms and Their Causes

• Fainting, dizziness: Anemia
• Headache: Sinus infection
• Fever:

Human Anatomy: English-Spanish Vocabulary

• Mouth / Boca
• Knee / Rodilla
• Ears / Orejas
• Lower Arm / Forearm / Antebrazo
• Breast / Pecho
• Eyes / Ojos
• Ankle / Tobillo
• Elbow / Codo
• Waist / Cintura
• Face / Cara
• Calf / Gemelos
• Fingers / Dedos
• Thorax / Chest / Pecho
• Lips / Labios
• Heel / Talón
• Upper Arm / Arm / Brazo
• Nose / Nariz
• Eyebrows / Cejas
• Navel / Umbilicus / Ombligo
• Eyelids / Párpados
• Abdomen / Abdomen
• Forehead / Frente
• Thigh / Muslo
• Hand / Mano
• Back / Espalda
• Cheek / Mejilla
• Toe / Dedo del pie
• Eyelashes / Pestañas
• Leg / Pierna
• Foot / Pie
• Mandible / Jaw / Mandíbula

Medical Symptoms and Signs: English-Spanish

• Fatigue (Symptom) / Fatiga
• Fever (Sign) / Fiebre
• High Blood Pressure (Sign) / Presión Arterial Alta
• Skin Rash (Sign) / Erupción Cutánea
• Lump (Sign) / Bulto
• Color (Sign) /