Nursing NUR304 Lecture 1: Pharmacology test I study notes
Document Summary
Drug actions: the cellular processes that change in the response to the presence of drug molecules. Empirical therapeutics: drug therapy that is effective but for which the mechanism of drug action is unknown. Rational therapeutics: drug therapy in which specific evidence has been obtained for the mechanisms of drug action. Acute therapy: involves more intensive drug therapy and is implemented in the acutely ill or critically ill; often used to sustain life or treat disease. Maintenance therapy: typically does not eradicate problems but does prevent progression of a disease or condition; used to treat chronic illnesses. Supplemental therapy: supplies the body with a substance needed to maintain normal function if substances cannot be made or is produced insufficiently. Palliative therapy: makes patient as comfortable as possible; typically used in the end stages of an illness when all other attempts have failed. Supportive therapy: maintains the integrity of body functions while the patient is recovering from illness or trauma.
