Before a drug is manufactured and released for public use, it must undergo a
series of tests that begin with animal studies and follows through to clinical stud-
ies on humans. Animal studies determine the therapeutic index for the drug.
Clinical studies determine the therapeutic effect, adverse effect, and side effects
the drug has on humans.
A drug is prescribed to a patient by writing a drug order or medical prescrip-
tion. A drug order specifies, among other things, the name of the drug, the dose,
route of administration, and frequency. Only an authorized healthcare provider
can order drugs. There are four types of drug orders. These are routine orders,
one-time orders, PRN orders, and STAT orders. There are also standing orders
or protocols.
There are five right actions to take when giving medications. These are to
give the right patient the right drug, in the right dose, at the right time, by the
right route. Patients also have the right to refuse medication and the right to
education about the medication.
With this overview of pharmacology under your belt, let’s take a closer look
at how drugs work by exploring the principles of drug action and drug inter-
actions in the next chapter.
Quiz
- A brand name of a drug is
(a) the non-trademarked name given by the original drug manufacturer.
(b) the trademarked name given by the drug manufacturer.
(c) the official nonproprietary name for the drug.
(d) the universally accepted name. - Schedule I controlled substances
(a) cannot be prescribed.
(b) can be prescribed only by a physician.
(c) can be purchased over-the-counter.
(d) are approved for medical use. - The 1938 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
(a) established categories of drugs.
(b) standardized labeling for drugs.
(c) established who could prescribe drugs.
(d) requires drug manufacturers to prove that their drugs are safe.
CHAPTER 1 An Inside Look at Pharmacology^21