1.1 Introduction to Pharmacology
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you should be able to
1. Differentiate between a brand name and a generic drug name
2. Describe common forms of medications
3. Describe the various routes of medication administration, including their abbreviations
4. Describe what a prescription is
5. List the components of a medication order or prescription
6. Describe the different types of medication orders
7. Identify abbreviations used in medication orders
Chapter Overview
Most of us have a taken a medication at some point in our lives, for example, an analgesic for a headache or an antibiotic for a bacterial infection. Because they are so commonly used, the study and understanding of medications is integral knowledge for any medical professional, and even members of the general population. Pharmacology is a complex topic of study, but this book, and this chapter in particular, will strive to explain this concept in simple terms to ensure that you have the understanding necessary to work in the medical field. The basics of drug names, forms, administration routes, and medication orders will be discussed. This will create a foundation of knowledge you will use throughout this book, which will focus on body systems and the medications used to treat the pathologies that affect them.
Attribution
Unless otherwise indicated, material on this page has been adapted from the following resource:
Ernstmeyer, K., & Christman, E. (Eds.). (2020). Nursing pharmacology. Chippewa Valley Technical College. https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/pharmacology/, licensed under CC BY 4.0
the science that deals with the actions of medications on the body
