Pharmacology for Nurses

by Tina Barbour-Taylor, Leah Mueller (Sabato), Donna Paris and Dorie Weaver

Published by OpenStax

Health & MedicineCollege

Pharmacology for Nurses is intended for nursing students in an introductory program. It provides a fundamental understanding of the therapeutic use of drugs, so the nurse can provide safe and effective care to the client. Along with a discussion of each body system, the text also reviews the pathophysiology of various disease processes and medications used in treatment. The table of contents presents 40 chapter topics, organized into 11 units. The first unit, consisting of 3 chapters, provides a broad overview of pharmacology, with the following 10 units focused on specific body systems. Pharmacology for Nurses helps students prepare for the licensing exam and their careers by offering applicable, real-life content in short, manageable sections. The material focuses on common client conditions that nurses will encounter throughout their career and embraces a skills orientation (what does a nurse do ). The text presents information in a holistic manner that ties the disease process to its pharmacological treatment. As a result, Pharmacology for Nurses will give students the confidence to safely administer medications to clients, as well as provide medication education to clients and their caregivers.

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Attribution

Adapted from Pharmacology for Nurses by Tina Barbour-Taylor, Leah Mueller (Sabato), Donna Paris, and Dorie Weaver, published by OpenStax (Rice University) under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). Access the original for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/pharmacology. Changes: converted to CuraCourse lessons, with interactive practice added.

243 pages in 42 modules. Sign up to read and adopt them.

Preface1 page
1. Preface
1Introduction to Pharmacology6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 1.1Pharmacology, Interdisciplinary Teams, and Nursing Practice
3. 1.2Drug Sources, Forms, and Names
4. 1.3Drug Classifications and Prototypes
5. 1.4Special Considerations
6. Practice
2Drug Administration6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 2.1Drug Administration and the Nursing Process
3. 2.2Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
4. 2.3Drug Administration Routes, Preparation, and Administration
5. 2.4Dosage Calculations
6. Practice
3Ethics, Legal Considerations, and Safety5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 3.1Legal Considerations
3. 3.2Drug Errors and Prevention
4. 3.3Documentation and Informatics
5. Practice
4Introduction to Homeostasis6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 4.1What Is Homeostasis?
3. 4.2Osmolality
4. 4.3Maintaining Homeostasis
5. 4.4Negative Feedback Loop
6. Practice
5Fluids and Electrolytes, Vitamins, Minerals, and Alternative Therapies6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 5.1Fluid Volume
3. 5.2Electrolytes
4. 5.3Intravenous Fluid Therapy, Total Parenteral Nutrition, and Blood Products
5. 5.4Vitamins, Minerals, and Complementary and Alternative Therapies
6. Practice
6Introduction to the Immune System and the Inflammatory Response6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 6.1Introduction to Immunity
3. 6.2Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Vaccines, and Immunizations
4. 6.3Immunosuppressants, Biologics, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Biosimilar Drugs
5. 6.4Introduction to the Inflammatory Response and Anti-inflammatory Drugs
6. Practice
7Anti-infective Drugs8 pages
1. Introduction
2. 7.1Introduction to Bacterial, Viral/COVID-19, and Fungal Infections
3. 7.2Antibiotic, Antiviral/Anti–COVID-19, and Antifungal Drugs
4. 7.3Introduction to HIV, AIDS, and Antiretrovirals
5. 7.4Introduction to Sexually Transmitted Infections and Drugs to Treat Them
6. 7.5Introduction to Tuberculosis and Antitubercular Drugs
7. 7.6Antiparasitic and Anthelminthic Drugs
8. Practice
8Introduction to Cancer Therapy and Cancer Drugs6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 8.1Introduction to Cancer and Phases of Cancer Therapy
3. 8.2Chemotherapeutic Drugs
4. 8.3Hormonal Therapy
5. 8.4Biologic Response Modifiers
6. Practice
9Introduction to the Nervous System5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 9.1Introduction to the Nervous System
3. 9.2Structure and Function of the Nervous System
4. 9.3Characteristics of Drugs to Treat Nervous System Disorders
5. Practice
10Drugs to Treat Myasthenia Gravis and Alzheimer’s Disease6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 10.1Introduction to Myasthenia Gravis
3. 10.2Cholinergic Drugs
4. 10.3Introduction to Alzheimer’s Disease
5. 10.4Alzheimer’s Drugs
6. Practice
11Drugs to Treat Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 11.1Introduction to Parkinson’s Disease
3. 11.2Anti-Parkinsonian Drugs
4. 11.3Introduction to Multiple Sclerosis
5. 11.4Drugs Used in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
6. Practice
12Anticonvulsant Drugs and Drugs to Treat Epilepsy, Migraine Headaches, and Intracranial Emergencies5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 12.1Epilepsy and Anticonvulsant Drugs
3. 12.2Migraine Headaches and Migraine Headache Drugs
4. 12.3Intracranial Emergencies and Intracranial Emergency Drugs
5. Practice
13Psychopharmacologic Drugs7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 13.1Antidepressants
3. 13.2Antipsychotics
4. 13.3Mood Stabilizers
5. 13.4Anxiolytics and Sedative-Hypnotics
6. 13.5CNS Stimulants and Nonstimulants
7. Practice
14Pain Response Drugs5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 14.1Introduction to Pain
3. 14.2Nonopioid Analgesics
4. 14.3Opioid Agonists and Antagonists
5. Practice
15Substance Use Disorder Treatment Drugs6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 15.1Introduction to Substance Use Disorders
3. 15.2Opioid Use Disorder Drugs
4. 15.3Alcohol Use Disorder Drugs
5. 15.4Nicotine Use Disorder Drugs
6. Practice
16Introduction to the Cardiovascular System5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 16.1Introduction to the Heart, Circulation, and Blood Flow
3. 16.2Pumping Action of the Heart
4. 16.3Conduction of Electrical Impulses
5. Practice
17Antidysrhythmic Drugs8 pages
1. Introduction
2. 17.1Introduction to Dysrhythmias
3. 17.2Class I: Sodium Channel Blockers
4. 17.3Class II: Beta Adrenergic Blockers
5. 17.4Class III: Potassium Channel Blockers
6. 17.5Class IV: Calcium Channel Blockers
7. 17.6Unclassified Antidysrhythmics
8. Practice
18Antihypertensive and Antianginal Drugs9 pages
1. Introduction
2. 18.1Hypertension and Angina
3. 18.2Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
4. 18.3Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
5. 18.4Beta-Adrenergic Blockers
6. 18.5Calcium Channel Blockers
7. 18.6Diuretics
8. 18.7Nitrates
9. Practice
19Heart Failure Drugs8 pages
1. Introduction
2. 19.1Heart Failure
3. 19.2Drugs Affecting the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
4. 19.3Beta-Adrenergic Blockers
5. 19.4Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2Is)
6. 19.5Diuretics
7. 19.6Adjunct Medications Used in Heart Failure
8. Practice
20Anticoagulant, Antiplatelet, and Thrombolytic Drugs6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 20.1Introduction to Clotting and Coagulation
3. 20.2Anticoagulants
4. 20.3Antiplatelets
5. 20.4Thrombolytics
6. Practice
21Lipid-Lowering Drugs6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 21.1Introduction to Lipoprotein and Apolipoproteins
3. 21.2Statins (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors) and PCSK9 Inhibitors
4. 21.3Bile Acid Sequestrants, Fibrates, and Niacin
5. 21.4Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
6. Practice
22Cardiac Emergency and Shock Drugs5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 22.1Introduction to Cardiac Emergencies and Shock
3. 22.2Cardiac Emergency Drugs
4. 22.3Shock Drugs
5. Practice
23Introduction to the Respiratory System5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 23.1Introduction to the Upper Respiratory System
3. 23.2Introduction to the Lower Respiratory System
4. 23.3Oxygenation and Gas Exchange
5. Practice
24Upper Respiratory Disorder Drugs5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 24.1Antihistamines and Decongestants
3. 24.2Antitussives
4. 24.3Expectorants and Mucolytics
5. Practice
25Lower Respiratory Disorder Drugs5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 25.1Adrenergics and Anticholinergics
3. 25.2Corticosteroids
4. 25.3Xanthines, Leukotriene Modifiers, and Mast Cell Stabilizers
5. Practice
26Hypothalamus, Pituitary, and Adrenal Disorder Drugs6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 26.1Introduction to the Adrenal Cortex, Pituitary, and Hypothalamus
3. 26.2Growth Hormones and Suppressants
4. 26.3Antidiuretic Hormones
5. 26.4Glucocorticoids and Mineralocorticoids
6. Practice
27Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorder Drugs5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 27.1Introduction to the Thyroid and Parathyroid
3. 27.2Thyroid and Antithyroid Drugs
4. 27.3Calcium Preparations, Vitamin D, Bisphosphonates, Calcimimetics, and Peptide Hormones
5. Practice
28Diabetic Drugs5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 28.1Introduction to Diabetes
3. 28.2Insulin and Non-Insulin Injectable Diabetes Drugs
4. 28.3Oral Antidiabetic Drugs
5. Practice
29Introduction to the Digestive System5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 29.1Introduction to the Gastrointestinal System and Oral Cavity
3. 29.2Introduction to the Esophagus and Stomach
4. 29.3Introduction to the Small and Large Intestines
5. Practice
30Gastrointestinal Disorder Drugs5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 30.1Antiemetics
3. 30.2Antidiarrheals
4. 30.3Laxatives and Stool Softeners
5. Practice
31Hyperacidity and Antiulcer Drugs5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 31.1Antacids
3. 31.2Histamine Blockers and Proton-Pump Inhibitors
4. 31.3Pepsin Inhibitors and Prostaglandin Analogues
5. Practice
32Weight Management Drugs6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 32.1Introduction to Weight Management
3. 32.2Anorexiants
4. 32.3Lipase Inhibitors
5. 32.4Other Drugs, Supplements, and Herbal Remedies
6. Practice
33Introduction to the Renal and Urinary Systems5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 33.1Introduction to the Renal System
3. 33.2Renal-Associated Fluid Volume Excess
4. 33.3Introduction to the Urinary System
5. Practice
34Diuretic Drugs7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 34.1Introduction to Diuretics
3. 34.2Loop Diuretics
4. 34.3Osmotic Diuretics
5. 34.4Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
6. 34.5Thiazide and Thiazide-Like Diuretics
7. Practice
35Urinary and Bladder Disorder Drugs7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 35.1Urinary Anti-infectives
3. 35.2Urinary Antispasmodics, Antimuscarinics, and Anticholinergics
4. 35.3Urinary Analgesics
5. 35.4Urinary Stimulants
6. 35.5Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
7. Practice
Appendices3 pages
1. AInternational System of Units
2. BCommon Abbreviations and Lab Values
3. CDrug Conversion Tables
36Reproductive Health Drugs10 pages
1. Introduction
2. 36.1Review of the Female Reproductive System
3. 36.2Hormonal, Contraception, and Infertility Drugs
4. 36.3Uterine Motility Drugs and Lactation Considerations
5. 36.4Bisphosphonates, Calcium Preparations, Vitamin D, and Estrogen Receptor Modulators
6. 36.5Review of the Male Reproductive System
7. 36.6Androgens, Antiandrogens, and Anabolic Steroids
8. 36.7Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
9. 36.8Alpha Blockers and 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors
10. Practice
38Ophthalmic Drugs6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 38.1Introduction to the Eyes
3. 38.2Ocular Anti-inflammatories and Anti-infectives
4. 38.3Ocular Anesthetics and Lubricants
5. 38.4Antiglaucoma Drugs
6. Practice
37Transgender and Nonbinary Drugs5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 37.1Overview of Transgender and Nonbinary Health
3. 37.2Feminizing Hormonal Therapy
4. 37.3Masculinizing Hormonal Therapy
5. Practice
39Otic Drugs5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 39.1Introduction to the Ears
3. 39.2Otic Anti-inflammatories and Anti-infectives
4. 39.3Otic Antihistamines, Decongestants, and Cerumenolytics
5. Practice
40Dermatologic Disorder Drugs6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 40.1Introduction to the Skin and Its Function
3. 40.2Acne Drugs
4. 40.3Psoriatic Drugs
5. 40.4Other Dermatologic Condition Drugs and Topical Anti-infectives for Burns
6. Practice

Pharmacology for Nurses

Table of contents