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

Fundamentals of Drug Treatment and Pharmacology

What Are Drugs?

Drugs are products used to cure, alleviate, prevent, or diagnose disease. Medicines contain one or more active principles (APIs)—substances that give the drugs their therapeutic properties.

Adverse Reactions and Drug Safety

All medicines can cause Adverse Reactions, which are negative effects of the drugs. In order to market a drug, health authorities must ensure that its benefits significantly outweigh any possible adverse reactions.

Dosing, Efficacy, and Drug Interactions

Each drug has an optimal dose. Increasing the dose does not necessarily increase benefits; however, it often increases the risk of adverse reactions.

There are drugs that interfere with each other if given together.... Continue reading "Pharmacology Basics: Receptors, Dosing, and Drug Marketability" »

Therapeutic Actions of Drugs

• Palliative
• Curative
• Supportive (De sostén)
• Substitutive
• Chemotherapeutic
• Restorative (Repair)

Factors Affecting Drug Action

• Development
• Gender-related factors
• Culture, Ethnicity, Genetics
• Diet

The Five Rights of Medication Administration

Ensuring patient safety requires adherence to the following principles:

1. Right Patient
2. Right Time
3. Right Medicine
4. Right Dose
5. Right Route of Administration

The Four 'I's Rule for Nurses

This rule emphasizes accountability in medication processes:

• I Prepare (Yo preparo)
• I Administer (Yo administro)
• I Record (Yo registro)
• I Respond (Yo respondo)

Drug Administration Routes Classification

• Enteral (Natural)
• Parenteral (Artificial)
• Topical (Natural)

The Role of the Surgical Nurse

Ensuring Patient Safety and Welfare

Intraoperative

Health Challenges and Factors

Challenges:

• Increase spending on health for the whole population.
• Allocate resources efficiently.

"I'll get the health coverage for as many people as possible.

Factors:

• Immovable
• Modifiable

Environment:

• Physical contaminants
• Chemical pollutants
• Biological contaminants
• Social and labor-related pollution

Lifestyle:

• Do regular exercise
• No smoking
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol
• Not using drugs
• Have a healthy diet
• Sexual health

Biological Factors:

• Aging and genetic operators

Health Systems

A health system is the form by which a country organizes and funds health protection and the provision of medical services to its citizens. It is characterized by:

• Universal coverage
• Financing through taxes
• Guaranteeing equal access to resources and services

Pathology

ALFA CHECK

Confirm Bullseye.

BANZAI

Eject Launch.

BOGEY

BRAA

BULLS EYE

CEASE ENGAGEMENT

Break engagement.

CLARA

COMMIT(TED)

Conduct Intercept.

FURBALL

GROUP

3 entities.

HEAVY

3 entities.

ID

IN THE DARK

JUDY

LEAKER

Through defenses.

LEVEL

Angels (altitude).

MIDNIGHT

C2 not available.

NO FACTOR

OPENING

PAINT(S)

Response any IFF.

PICTURE

Tactical situation.

PLAY MATE

Friendly contact.

POPUP

RIDER

Bogey passing safely.

SINGER

RWR SAM.

SKATE

Launch abort.

SKOSH

Missile radar active.

SPADES

Lacking ATO.

SUNRISE

C2 available.

TIGER

Critical fuel.

TRASHED

Rejected.

AIRBORNE ALERT

Aircraft immediate action.

AS FRAGGED

As per ATO.

ASSUME DECK

Position for landing.

BARCAP

BINGO

Proceed to airfield.

BIRD

BIRD(S) AFFIRM H

Bird(s) affirm Hot.

BIRD(S) AWAY H

Bird(s) away Hot.

BOWWAVE

BREAK OFF

Discontinue approach.

BRUISER

BULLDOG

BULLRING

Airfield

High-Risk Hospital Units

Infection risk is elevated in specialized units, including neonatology, intensive care, hemodialysis, burn centers, oncology, orthopedics, and transplantation.

Intrinsic Risk Factors

• Age
• Diabetes
• Colon conditions
• Leukemia
• Substance abuse
• Obesity
• Malnutrition
• Transplant status
• AIDS
• Prematurity

Extrinsic Risk Factors

• Catheters
• Surgical wounds
• Bladder catheterization
• Antibiotic use
• Immunosuppressants

Respiratory Infections

Bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens are frequently present, particularly in immunocompromised patients.

Prevention of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

• Wash hands before and after patient care.
• Educate patients on effective secretion removal.
• Implement chest physiotherapy, postural drainage, and clapping to assist secretion

Phosphodiesterase III Inhibitors in Heart Failure

These drugs block phosphodiesterase, increasing calcium available for cardiac contraction. This enhances contractility and vasodilation, increasing cardiac output and reducing peripheral resistance.

Side Effects of Sodium Channel Blockers

Common side effects include dizziness, taste disturbance, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and acifenos.

Doxazosin Uses

Doxazosin is used in men to treat symptoms of enlarged prostate, including difficulty urinating, painful urination, frequent urination, and urgency.

Cholestyramine: Special Considerations

It is recommended to separate the administration of cholestyramine and other drugs by 1 to 4 hours. This medication may decrease the absorption of vitamins (A, D,... Continue reading "Pharmacology: Effects, Side Effects, and Considerations" »

Concept of Health and Disease

Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease.

Health Determinants and Their Influence

• Biological: Genetics, endocrine system, and age.
• Lifestyle: Habits, beliefs, and communication.
• Organization of Health Services: Availability of health centers and professionals.
• Environment: Geographical factors (climate, vegetation) and environmental factors (housing, air quality).

Public and Community Health

Public Health encompasses activities for the promotion and maintenance of population health, focusing on community action for the protection, promotion, and restoration of health, as well as disease prevention.

Community Health refers to the health status of... Continue reading "Core Concepts of Public Health and Disease Prevention" »

Diltiazem Administration and Uses

Diltiazem can be used in all types of angina. Its long-acting formulation is used in hypertension in cases where beta-blockers are contraindicated or ineffective.

Adrenaline's Systemic Effects in Shock

In the initial stages of shock, the body compensates for the loss of blood pressure by increasing sympathetic nervous system activity. This causes vasoconstriction, increased tension, and cardiac contraction.

Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) Administration

Special considerations must be taken into account when administering a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH):

• Intravenous Infusion: Monitor for symptoms of heat, pain, or redness at the puncture site.
• Subcutaneous Injection: Monitor for bruising or swelling. Administer

Sterilization Process Validation: Ensuring Effective Control

Objective: To ensure effective sterilization.

Physical Controls

Values of pressure, temperature, time, and humidity are monitored to ensure proper sterilization parameters are met.

Chemical Controls

Chemical controls are compounds that change color upon interaction with the sterilizing agent. External indicators show that the sterilizing agent reached the surface of the package. Internal indicators confirm whether the sterilizing agent penetrated inside the package. The Dick Bowie test, commonly used in autoclaves, uses paper impregnated with a compound that changes color upon successful sterilization. It is used daily to verify the device's functionality and the sterilizing agent's reach.... Continue reading "Sterilization Process Validation: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Controls" »

New Medicine: Stem Cells, Gene Therapy & Reproduction

Stem cells: (cardiovascular diseases, nervous system diseases, autoimmune diseases)

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy: (• hereditary diseases: cystic fibrosis and familial hypercholesterolemia; • acquired diseases: e.g., autoimmune diseases, AIDS, cancer — implantation of normal copies of tumor suppressor genes such as p53; blocking the expression of oncogenes; genes that increase sensitivity to anticancer drugs; gene-induced cell suicide or apoptosis; gene insertion to enhance the defensive action of leukocytes)

Assisted Reproduction

Assisted reproduction:

• Artificial insemination: deposit of semen in the woman's uterus after using substances to stimulate the ovary.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF)