Pharmacology for Nurses

One of the most challenging aspects for nurses is the subject of pharmacology. In order to successfully predict drug action, it requires knowledge of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and pathology, as well as the social sciences including psychology and sociology. Fortunately, Pharmacology for Nurses offers a clear picture of pharmacology in relation to disease and nursing care.

Organized according to body systems and diseases, this text presents a pathophysiology prototype approach to place drugs in context with how they are used therapeutically. Topics address the interdisciplinary nature of pharmacology and the advantages and disadvantages of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. In addition, individuals will learn about the role of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the drug approval process.

A holistic perspective offers an easy-to-follow presentation and extensive pedagogical aids that enable individuals to identify key ideas, understand concepts and apply essential components relevant to drug therapy. The natural therapies section discusses popular herbal or dietary supplements that may be considered along with conventional drugs.

Special considerations in this book feature a variety of issues related to culture, ethnicity, age, gender, and psychosocial considerations in drug therapy. Other issues go over bioterrorism and the nurse’s role, as well as topics such as anthrax, viruses, and neurotoxins. Pediatric and geriatric considerations are also integrated throughout this text.

Topics listed review:

• techniques for applying local anesthesia
• the four components of pharmacokinetics
• functional divisions of the peripheral nervous system
• the components of the human integration pyramid care model
• the goals of pharmacotherapy with skeletal muscle relaxants
• how to identify the causes, signs, and symptoms of a peptic ulcer disease

To facilitate learning, a prototype approach is used in which the one or two most representative drugs in each classification are introduced in detail. Prototype drug boxes are used to clearly indicate these important medications. Within these boxes, the actions and uses of the drug are succinctly presented and include administration alerts, which highlight vital information related to the administration of the drug. Nonpharmacologic methods for controlling many diseases are also integrated throughout this guide.

Nursing flowcharts present succinct, pharmacology-oriented information focused on the classification or prototype drug. Need-to-know nursing actions feature a format that reflects the flow of the nursing process, which is defined as: nursing assessment, potential nursing diagnoses, planning, interventions, patient education/discharge planning, and evaluation. The flowcharts also identify clearly what nursing actions are most important.

A section on drug immune system modulations discusses the components of the lymphatic system and explains why immunosuppressant medications are necessary following organ transplants. It describes the nurse’s role in the pharmacologic management of immune disorders and reviews major vaccines and recommended dosage schedules.

The appendixes offer a complete glossary of terms, Canadian drugs and their U.S. equivalents, and the top 200 drugs ranked by numbers and prescription. In addition, individuals will find an index with a special treatment of diseases, prototype drugs, classifications, and generic and trade names.

A MediaLink included at the beginning of each chapter identifies specific animations. Also, a free CD-ROM offers an interactive study program that allows individuals to practice answering NCLEX-style questions with rationales for right and wrong answers. Accompanying the CD-ROM, a companion website offers an audio glossary, case studies, drug reviews, and more.

This disease and body systems approach offers nurses and students the tools and skills necessary for learning about the most important drug information in a user-friendly format. It's a must have resource for any nurse’s library.