Physicians Desk Reference (PDR)

Clinical Pharmacology (recommended for Rts)

The study of the way the body processes a drug.

• How drugs are absorbed
• How they reach their site of action
• How they are metabolized
• And how they are eliminated from the body.

Age

Physical condition

Sex

Weight

Immune status

The process by which the body transforms drugs into an inactive form that can be excreted from the body.

AKA Benedryl

Also a sedative and anticholinergic (drying) side effects.

AKA Adrenalin

Adrenergic (vasoconstrictor)

Administered for severe reactions

AKA Solu-Medrol

Corticosteroid (antiinflammatory) to reduce possibility of respiratory arrest.

• Alcohol
• Betadine
• Antibiotics

Diazepam (Valium)

Fosphenytoin (Cerebyx)

Amiodarone (Pacerone)

Lidocaine

Quinidine (Quinidex)

Opioid/Opiate

Narcotic

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

Oral: Hydrocodone (Vicodin) and Oxycodone (Percocet)

Injectable: Morphine sulfate and meperidine (Demerol)

Name 4 pain relievers with low potential for addiction and other side effects:

(These are NSAIDs)

Aspirin (Bayer)

Ibuprofen (Advil)

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Naproxen sodium (Aleve)

Diazepam (Valium)

Lorazepam (Ativan)

Flumazenil (Romazicon): counteracts with Valium and Versed

Naloxone (Narcan): counteracts with opiates like morphine and codeine.

Used to eliminate sensation in a specific area before a painful procedure.

• Paralyzes all muscles.
• It does not cause loss of consciousness
• Artificial respiration is necessary
• As paralysis dissipates, patients are frequently agitated or combative.

• Succinylcholine Chloride (Anectine)-Short-term duration; 10 to 30 minutes
• Mivacurine (Mivacron)-Intermediate duration; 35 to 45 minutes
• Metocurine and Gallamine-Long-term duration; 2 to 3 hours

Type II diabetes is usually treated with: 

(5 of them)

• Metformin (Glucophage)
• A sulfonylurea (Amaryl or Glucotrol)
• Tolbutamide (Orinase)
• Chlorpropamide (Diabinase)
• Rosiglitazone (Avandia)

Used for control of high blood pressure

Angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Captropril (Capoten)

Enalapril (Vasotec)

Lisinopril (Prinivil)

• AKA beta adrenergic blocking agents
• Suppress the action of the sympathetic nervous system blocking epinephrine and norepinephrine.
• Also used to treat irregular heart rhythm and angina pectoris.

Propranolol (Inderal)

Metoprolol (Lopressor)

List the Six Rights of Medication Administration

(in order and same verbiage!)

1. The right dose
2. Of the right medication
3. To the right patient
4. At the right time
5. By the right route
6. With the right documentation (type, strength, amount (cc's), route, location)

Medication Administration 

The Radiographer's role

(5 steps)

Check allergic history of patients

Prepare medication for administration

Verify patient ID

Assist the physician

Monitor the patient after administration

Enteral

Inhalation

Topical/transdermal

Sublingual & Buccal

Parerenteral Injections

Intravenous

Oral: Most common and familiar administration

Rectal: Alternative for those unable to swallow or with an unretentive stomach

Nasogastric (NG) tube: An alternative to alternative oral administration

• Liquid medications are vaporized and administered by inhaler or nebulizer
• Albuterol (bronchodilator)
• Radioactive gases for nuclear medicine lung perfusion studies

Medication that is absorbed through the surface of the skin, can act locally (calamine lotion) or systemically (nicotine patches)

Topical is generally understood to be local-acting, transdermal is systemic

Absorption through mucosal tissues into the bloodstream bypasses GI tract

Sublingual = under the tonque.  Nitroglycerin (vasodilator)

Buccal = inside the cheek

1. Intradermal
2. Subcutaneous
3. Intramuscular
4. Intrathecal
5. Intra-arterial

They are used to deliver drugs that:

• Cause irritation of the GI tract
• Cannot be absorbed by the GI tract
• Are needed rapidly to site of action

• Between the layers of the skin
• Needle is inserted at a 15 degrees angle to the skin
• TB skin test/PPD

• Injections into the fat layer between the skin and muscle of the upper arm or outer aspect of the thigh
• Injections of 2 ml or less
• Needle is inserted at a 45 degree angle to the skin
• Insulin

• Medication is injected directly into the muscle
• Common injection sites: Deltoid & Gluteal muscles and Vastus lateralis

• Involves percutaneous access to an artery
• Injections are performed by physicians
• Encountered in angiography

• Describe the Intravenous route and the most common veins for IV access.

• Drubs are injected directly into the bloodstream via venous access
• Fastest route of administration
• Most common veins for IV access are:

Anterior forearm

Posterior hand

Radial aspect of wrist

Antecubital space (elbow)

• Also called infiltration
• Infiltration refers to diffusion of the fluid into the surrounding tissues
• Extravasation is the presence of fluid outside the fessel
• Painful and often dangerous condition

Treatment is to apply cold packs to the site

• Call in advance to inform the nurse of lengthy procedures
• Plug in the pump rather than relying on battery power
• Watch IV fluid levels, and allow time for replacement before the IV fluid is exhausted
• If an IV set runs out, or if the alarm sounds, call the nursing service immediately rather than waiting until the patient is returned to the nursing unit

Should be 18-20" above the level of the vein

* if bag is too low, blood will flow back

* if bag is too high, it may cause hydrostatic pressure

• Date
• Time of day
• Drug name
• Dosage (amount)
• Route of administration

** each entry must be signed **