Introduction to Pharmacology

Overview

• Instructor: Dr. Windsor
• Focus: Basics of Pharmacology
• Objectives:
  • Understand basic pharmacological terms and abbreviations
  • Identify drug sources and provide examples
  • Categorize and describe drug classes used in surgery
  • Comprehend medication orders, distribution systems, drug forms, and routes
  • Explain pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

Importance of Pharmacology

• Role of Surgical Technologist:
  • Reduce medication errors and prevent associated deaths
  • Follow the six “rights” of medication
  • Handle and dispense drugs safely

Basic Terms

• Adverse Effect: Undesired side effects (e.g., bleeding with Heparin)
• Bolus: Rapid dose of medication, usually IV
• Contraindication: Reason against medication administration (e.g., allergies, pregnancy)
• Absorption: Process of medication entering the bloodstream

Drug Sources

• Natural: Plants (morphine), Minerals (antacids), Animals (insulin)
• Chemical:
  • Synthetic: Lab-created (Demerol)
  • Semi-synthetic: Modified natural substances (aspirin)
• Biotechnology: Genetic engineering, recombinant DNA (e.g., Humulin)

Drug Classifications

• By Action: Therapeutic, Physiological, Affected Body System, Chemical Type
• Examples:
  • Analgesics (pain relief)
  • Antipyretics (reduce fever)
  • Cardiovascular agents (affect heart and circulatory system)

Medication Orders

• Types:
  • Standing Orders: Standard medications for procedures
  • Verbal Orders: Given during surgery
  • Stat Orders: Immediate requirement
  • PRN Orders: As needed

Drug Distribution Systems

• Methods:
  • Hospital pharmacy
  • Satellite pharmacy
  • Automated dispensing (e.g., Pixis)

Drug Forms

• Categories:
  • Solids (tablets)
  • Semi-solids (creams, gels)
  • Liquids (solutions, suspensions)
  • Gases (nitrous oxide)

Administration Routes

• Enteral: Oral, rectal
• Parenteral: Topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous

Pharmacokinetics

• Processes:
  • Absorption: Entry into bloodstream
  • Distribution: Delivery to action site
  • Biotransformation (Metabolism): Chemical alteration, mainly in liver
  • Excretion: Removal from body, primarily through urine

Pharmacodynamics

• Study of drug effects on the body
  • Agonists: Bind and activate receptors
  • Antagonists: Bind and inhibit receptors
  • Synergists: Enhance another drug's effect

Conclusion

• Review and understanding of pharmacology are critical for surgical technologists to ensure patient safety and effective medication use. Further exploration of medication development and regulation will follow in subsequent lectures.