Main description:

The fun, fast, and effective way for nursing majors to master pharmacology!

Finally! A pharmacology primer written for nursing (and other allied health) majors rather than pharmacy students. You might be apprehensive learning pharmacology, especially if you have little, if any, experience with drugs. Pharmacology can by mystifying. However, it becomes demystified as you read this innovative text, because your knowledge of basic science is used as the foundation to learn pharmacology. All you need is a working knowledge of basic science - and Pharmacology Demystified - and you're well on your way to mastering this challenging topic.

Pharmacology Demystified starts you off by fully explaining must-know concepts and practices in easily understood everyday language. Then, this unique guide leads you forward - at your own pace - to master the more complex aspects of pharmacology. Summations of key points, background information, quizzes at the end of each chapter, and a "final exam" reinforce learning every step of the way.

Contents:

CHAPTER 1

An Inside Look at Pharmacology

What Is Pharmacology?

The Source of Drugs

Drugs Names

Prescription versus Over-the-Counter Drugs

Drug Effects

Drug Safety

Locating Drug Information

Drug Orders

The "Five Rights" Way of Drug Administration

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 2

Drug Action and Drug Interactions

Drug Actions

The First Pass Effect

Pharmacodynamics

Categories of Drug Action

Therapeutic Index and Therapeutic Range

Side Effects

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 3

Pharmacology and the Nursing Process

The Nursing Process

Nursing Diagnosis

Patient Care Plan

Teaching the Patient About Drugs

Impact of Cultural Influences in

Drug Administration

Mother and the Fetus

Pediatrics

Elderly

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 4

Substance Abuse

Drug Misuse and Abuse

Behavioral Patterns of Addiction

Healthcare Professionals and

Substance Abuse

Detecting Substance Abuse

Delayed Action

Substances That Can Be Abused

Dependence versus Tolerance

Pathophysiologic Changes Occurring in

Substance Abuse

Cultural Aspects of Substance Abuse

Commonly Abused Substances

Nursing Assessment

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 5

Principles of Medication Administration

The Nursing Process and

Medication Administration

Assessment Required for Specific Drugs

Administering Medication

Evaluating the Patient After

Administering Medication

Controlling Narcotics

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 6

Route of Administration

Medication and Routes

Z-Track Injection Technique

Tips for Minimizing Pain

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 7

Dose Calculations

The Metric System and Medication

Converting Metric Units

Formulas for Calculating the Desired Dose

Parenteral Medications

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 8

Herbal Therapy

Inside Herbal Therapy

Forms of Herbal Therapies

Hazards of Herbal Therapeutics

Herbals Therapy and the Nursing Process

The Do's and Don'ts about Herbs

Commonly Used Herbs

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 9

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins

Vitamins and the Nursing Process

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 10

Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy

Body Fluids

Electrolytes

Fluid Concentration

IV Fluids

Blood and Blood Products

Fluid Replacement

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 11

Nutritional Support Therapies

Nutrition

Nursing Process

The Nursing Processing and

Parenteral Nutritional Therapy

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 12

Inflammation

An Inside Look at Inflammation

Combating Inflammation

Summary

Quiz

CHAPTER 13

Antimicrobials-Fighting Infection

Microorganisms-A Small Formidable

Opponent

Medication-A Formidable Defender
Superinfections

Preparing to Administer

Antimicrobial Medication

Penicillin, Nursing Diagnosis,

and Collaborative Problems

Penicillin and Patient Education

Cephalosporins, Nursing Diagnosis,

and Collaborative Problems

Macrolides and Drug-Drug Interactions

Macrolides, Nursing Diagnosis,

and Collaborative Problems

Clindamycins and Drug-Drug Interactions

Lincosamides, Nursing Diagnosis,

and Collaborative Problems

Vancomycin and Drug-Drug Interactions

Vancomycin, Nursing Diagnosis,

and Collaborative Problems

Aminoglycosides and

Drug-Drug Interactions

Aminoglycosides, Nursing Diagnosis,