A Revolutionary New Undergraduate Pharmacology Text for Nursing Students

Pharmacology for Nurses is a groundbreaking new text that teaches the basic concepts of pharmacology to undergraduate nursing students. The text focuses on critical need-to-know
information and draws on the experience of fourteen contributing authors in the field of nursing. It takes a new approach to teaching the complex topic of pharmacology through its concise, digestible coverage of material, reader friendly design, and use of images and tables to reinforce content. This text is also intended as a reference for other nursing courses and as part of the nursing professional's permanent reference library.

Designed to reflect real-life clinical applications, Pharmacology for Nurses also provides a fundamental introduction to pharmacology for nursing students. The basics of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics explained in relation to clinical practice. Patient and drug variables as well as drug interactions and effects are also fully explored along with the administration of medications.

Topics Covered:
Inter-relationship of physiologic processes
Effect of drugs on physiologic processes
Homeostatic nature of the body

Key Features:
Each chapter begins with a summary of Learning Objectives
Chapters conclude with summaries and practice questions

Table of Contents:
The Pedagogy • Introduction • About the Author • Contributors • Reviewers Section I: Pharmacology for Nurses: Basic Principles Chapter 1: Introduction to Pharmacology (Jean Nicholas) • Introduction • Nursing and Pharmacology • Overview of the Nursing Process • Cultural Aspects of Drug Therapy • Legal-Ethical Aspects of Drug Therapy • Medication Errors • Conclusion: Pharmacology in Nursing Practice • Chapter Summary • Critical Thinking Questions • References Chapter 2: Introduction to Drug Action: The interplay of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (Diane F. Pacitti) • Introduction • The Relationship Between Drugs and the Body • Toxicology • The Interplay of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Biopharmaceutics • Pharmacodynamics • Pharmacokinetics • Drug Distribution • Metabolism: Transformation of the Drug Molecule in the Liver • Drug Elimination Processes • Making the Connection to Clinical Nursing: An Application Case Study • Using Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Clinical Practice • Critical Thinking Questions • References Chapter 3: Medication Administration (Tara Kavanaugh) • Introduction • Before Administering Medications: The Eight Medication “Rights” • Procedures for Administering Medications • Proper Procedure for Administering All Medication • Administering Oral Medications • Injecting Medications Safely • Intravenous and Intra osseous Medications • Inhaled Medications • Medication Transfer Across Permeable Tissues • Medication Errors • Conclusion: Medication Administration in Nursing Practice • Chapter Summary • Critical Thinking Questions • Suggested Readings • References Section II: Pharmacology of the Physiology Systems Chapter 4: Central Nervous System Drugs (Dion M. Mayes-Burnett) • Central Nervous System Physiology • Drugs Used for Conditions of the Central Nervous System • Analgesics and Pain Management • Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy • Neurodegenerative Diseases • Musculoskeletal Dysfunction • Chapter Summary • Critical Thinking Questions • Suggested Readings • References Chapter 5: Autonomic Nervous System Drugs (William Mark Enlow, Sue Greenfield, Cliff Roberson) • Introduction • Drugs That Affect the ANS • Cholinergic Drugs • Chapter Summary • Discussion Questions • References Chapter 6: Cardiovascular Medications (Diane F. Pacitti, Blaine Templar Smith, Rhonda Lawes) • Introduction • Treatment of High Blood Pressure • Hypertensive Emergencies • Treatment of Chest Pain/Angina • Hyperlipidemia • Congestive Heart Failure • Prevention of Thrombosis and Stroke: Anticoagulant Therapy • Chapter Summary • Discussion Questions • References Chapter 7: Respiratory Medications (Amy Rex Smith, Blaine Templar Smith) • Introduction • Asthma • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease • Smoking-Cessation Therapy • Chapter Summary • Discussion Questions • References Chapter 8: Pharmacology of the Gastrointestinal Tract (Jacqueline Rosenjack Burchum, Hoi Sing Chung) • Introduction • The Nursing Care Process • Drugs to Control Gastric Acidity • Drugs to Stimulate Gastrointestinal Motility • Drugs to Control Diarrhea • Drugs to Relieve Constipation • Drugs to Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome • Drugs to Control Nausea and Vomiting • Drugs to Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease • Bile Acid Therapy for Gallstones • Chapter Summary • Discussion Questions • References Chapter 9: Endocrine System Drugs (Karen Crowley, Cathi Bodine, Linda Tenofsky, Ashley Pratt Sarah Nadarajah) • Introduction • Endocrine Glands and Their Hormones • Treating Endocrine Conditions • Discussion Questions • References Chapter 10: Medications for Eye and Ear Disorders (Tara Kavanaugh) • Introduction • Medications for Eye Disorders • Glaucoma • Chronic Dry or Bloodshot Eyes • Drugs Used in Treating Ear Disorders • Chapter Summary • Discussion Questions • References Chapter 11: Pharmacology of the Genitourinary System (Diana M. Webber) • Introduction • Urinary Tract Infections • Candida albicans Vaginitis (Vaginal Yeast Infection) • Benign Hyperplasia of the Prostate • Erectile Dysfunction • Sexually Transmitted Infections • Female Hormonal Contraception • Urinary Incontinence • Chapter Summary • Discussion Questions • References Section III: Special Conditions and Supplemental Areas Chapter 12: Drugs Associated with Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery, and Lactation (Jean Nicholas) • Introduction • Medication Use on a Preconception Basis and in Early Pregnancy • Common Conditions Arising in Pregnancy • Drugs Used During Labor • Drugs Used During the Postpartum Period • Drugs Administered During Lactation • Chapter Summary • Discussion Questions • References Chapter 13: Pharmacology in Dermatologic Conditions (Diane Webber) • Introduction • Physiological Factors Affecting Transdermal Medication Administration • Acne Medications: An Example of Delivery Systems • Topical Dermatologic Medication Vehicles • Atopic Dermatitis • Antifungal Preparations • Chapter Summary • Discussion Questions • References Chapter 14: Pharmacology of Psychotropic Medications (Christopher Footit) • Introduction • Delusional Disorders (Psychoses) • Antidepressants and Antianxiety Medications • Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar Disorder • Attention-Deficit Disorder and Attention-Deficit • Hyperactivity Disorder • Sleep Hypnotics • Chapter Summary • Discussion Questions • References Chapter 15: Pharmacology of Anesthetic Drugs (Dwayne Accardo) • Introduction • Types of Anesthesia • Local and Topical Anesthesia • Inhalational Anesthesia • Intravenous Anesthetics • Chapter Summary • Discussion Questions • References Chapter 16: Pharmacology of Antimicrobial Drugs (Blaine Templar Smith) • Introduction • Mechanisms of Drug Action: The Basics Identification and Appropriate Treatment of Pathogenic Microbes • Superinfection • Resistance • Antibacterial Drugs • Antiviral Medications • Antifungal Agents • Antiparasitic Agents • Discussion Questions • References Glossary • Index