PILAR COLLEGE OF ZAMBOANGA CITY

College of Nursing
NCM 106

Activity #1
Name: Sagoso, Ma. Arlyn L.
Section: BSN 2-C

Answer the following questions.

1. What are the factors affecting the body’s responses to drugs?

The way a person responds to a drug is influenced by several factors, including
physiological, pathological, genetic, and environmental factors. Here are some examples
of each:

● Physiological factors: Age, sex, weight, and body composition can affect the way a drug
is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body.

● Pathological factors: Diseases such as liver or kidney disease can alter the way drugs are
metabolized and eliminated from the body.

● Genetic factors: Genetic abnormalities can influence the dose of a drug and response
to drugs. They can affect the drug response in individuals at two levels:
pharmacokinetics (how the body processes drugs) and pharmacodynamics (how drugs
interact with the body).

● Environmental factors: The route of administration (oral, intravenous, etc.), food intake,
and other drugs or dietary supplements taken simultaneously can affect the way a drug
is absorbed and metabolized by the body.

It's important to note that everyone responds to drugs differently due to these factors.
Therefore, doctors must choose a drug appropriate for each person and must adjust the
dose carefully.

2. What is the half-life of a drug and why is it important?

 The “half-life of a drug” is the time it takes for the concentration of the drug in the body
to be reduced by half. It is an important pharmacokinetic parameter that determines the
rate at which a drug is eliminated from the body.

The half-life of a drug is influenced by several factors, including the route of

administration, the patient's age, sex, weight, and overall health status, and the drug's
chemical properties.

The half-life of a drug is important because it helps clinicians determine the optimal
dosing regimen for a particular medication. For example, drugs with a short half-life may
need to be administered more frequently to maintain therapeutic levels in the body,
while drugs with a long half-life may require less frequent dosing.

In addition, understanding the half-life of a drug can help clinicians predict how long it
will take for a drug to be eliminated from the body after treatment has ended. This
information is particularly important when considering potential drug interactions or
when switching between medications.

3. What are the types of adverse drug reactions?

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are any unwanted effects of drugs (including
medications). There are several different types of ADRs, including:

● Dose-related: This type of ADR represents an exaggeration of the drug’s therapeutic

effects. For example, a person taking a medication to reduce high blood pressure may
feel dizzy or light-headed if the medication reduces blood pressure too much.

● Allergic: Allergic drug reactions are not dose-related but require prior exposure to a
drug. Allergic reactions develop when the body’s immune system develops an
inappropriate reaction to a drug (sometimes referred to as sensitization).

● Idiosyncratic: Idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions result from mechanisms that are not
currently understood. This type of adverse drug reaction is largely unpredictable.

● Type A or Augmented: Type A reactions, which constitute approximately 80% of adverse

drug reactions, are usually a consequence of the drug’s primary pharmacological effect.

● Type B or Bizarre: Type B reactions are unpredictable. Some examples of adverse drug
reactions include rashes, jaundice, anemia, a decrease in the white blood cell count,
kidney damage, and nerve injury that may impair vision or hearing.

4. List four types of allergic responses to drug therapy.

 a. Type I or anaphylactic reactions: Type I reactions are mediated by proteins called
IgE antibodies produced by the immune system. These are produced in response
to the allergens such as pollen, animal dander or dust mites, or even certain
foods. This causes the release of histamine and other chemicals causing
inflammation and swelling.
b. Type II or cytotoxic reactions: This type of allergic reaction is mediated by
proteins called IgG and IgM antibodies. The antibodies involved in type II reaction
damage cells by activating a component of immunity called the complement
system.
c. Type III or immunocomplex reactions: Type III reactions are also mediated by
proteins i.e. IgM and IgG antibodies. These antibodies react with the allergen to
form immunocomplexes (antigen-antibody complexes). These complexes are
responsible for the reaction.
d. Type IV or cell-mediated reactions: Type IV allergic reactions are also called the
delayed type of hypersensitivity or allergic reactions as they occur after at least
24 hours of exposure to the allergen. These reactions typically take 48-72 hours
or longer to appear after contact with the allergen.

5. Enumerate at least five examples of drug-induced tissue or organ damage.

a. Dermatological reactions: These can range from a mild rash, which can be
remedied with steroid cream and/or antihistamines, to severe exfoliative
dermatitis, which requires discontinuation of the drug.
b. Superinfections: These occur when antibiotics kill the normal bacterial flora in
our bodies. Examples may include clostridium difficile diarrhea, glossitis, and
yeast infections (oral thrush and vaginal).
c. Ocular toxicity: Some drugs can be deposited into the tiny arteries of the retina,
causing inflammation and tissue damage, leading to retinal damage and
blindness.
d. Auditory damage: The tiny vessels and nerves in the 8th cranial nerves can be
easily irritated and damaged by certain drugs.
e. Blood dyscrasia: This is bone marrow suppression caused by drug effects, which
can lead to conditions such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia.

6. Define the following terms:

 a. Generic drugs: Are copies of brand-name drugs that have exactly the same
dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety,
and strength as the original drug. They are cheaper than brand-name drugs and
are just as safe and effective.
b. Orphan drugs: Are drugs that treat rare diseases or disorders. They are called
"orphan" because under normal market conditions, the pharmaceutical industry
has little interest in developing and marketing drugs intended for only a small
number of patients. The Orphan Drug Act (ODA) provides incentives for
companies to develop treatments for rare diseases. These incentives include tax
credits for clinical research costs, exemption from paying FDA user fees, and
seven years of market exclusivity after FDA approval.

c. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs: Are medicines that can be bought without a

prescription from a healthcare provider. They are used to treat minor ailments
such as headaches, colds, coughs, and pains. OTC drugs are safe and effective
when used as directed on the label or as directed by a healthcare professional.
Some examples of OTC drugs include pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen,
cough suppressants like dextromethorphan, and antihistamines like loratadine.

7. What are the “rights” of medication administration?

The rights of medication administration are a set of guidelines that nurses follow to
ensure the safe and effective administration of medications to patients. These rights
were originally known as the ‘five rights’ or ‘five R’s’ of medication administration, which
include: Right patient, Right drug, Right dose, Right route, and Right time. However,
experts have called for the five rights to be expanded to the ten rights of medication
administration. The 10 Rights of Medications Administration are as follows:

● Right patient: Check the name on the prescription and wristband. Ideally, use 2 or more
identifiers and ask the patient to identify themselves.

● Right medication: Check the name of the medication, brand names should be avoided.
Check the expiry date. Check the prescription. Make sure medications, especially
antibiotics, are reviewed regularly.

● Right dose: Check the prescription. Confirm the appropriateness of the dose using the
BNF or local guidelines. If necessary, calculate the dose and have another nurse calculate
the dose as well.

● Right route: Again, check the order and appropriateness of the route prescribed.
Confirm that the patient can take or receive the medication by the ordered route.
 Right time: Check the frequency of the prescribed medication. Double-check that you
are giving the prescribed at the correct time. Confirm when the last dose was given.

● Right time: Check the frequency of the prescribed medication. Double-check that you
are giving the prescribed at the correct time. Confirm when the last dose was given.

● Right patient education: Check if the patient understands what the medication is for.
Make them aware they should contact a healthcare professional if they experience side-
effects or reactions.

● Right documentation: Ensure you have signed for the medication AFTER it has been
administered. Ensure the medication is prescribed correctly with a start and end date if
appropriate.

● Right to refuse: Ensure you have patient consent to administer medications. Be aware
that patients do have a right to refuse medication if they have capacity to do so.

● Right assessment: Check your patient actually needs the medication. Check for
contraindications. Baseline observations if required.

● Right evaluation: Ensure the medication is working as it should be. Ensure medications
are reviewed regularly. Ongoing observations if required.

8. In drug calculation, why do children require different dosages compared to adults?

Children require different dosages compared to adults in drug calculation because of

their higher metabolic rates. Adult metabolisms are different than a child’s, which plays
a part in why the dosages are different as well. Adults will take a higher dosage based
upon factors that have been deemed safe for them based upon their genetics and also
pharmacokinetic parameters. The pharmacokinetics of many drugs are different in
children compared to adults. The pharmacokinetic processes of absorption, distribution,
metabolism and excretion undergo changes due to growth and development. Finding
the correct doses for children is complicated by a lack of pharmacokinetic studies.
Children’s doses cannot always be extrapolated directly from adult studies.