Pharmacology fundamentals: Rad Tech
. Pharmacology is the study of the uses of drugs and their effects on the body.
As a radiologic technologist, you'll encounter drugs in many areas of patient care. Contrast media, pain management medications, sedatives, and emergency drugs can all play a role in imaging procedures.
A strong foundation in basic pharmacology principles includes knowing how drugs are classified, how they are administered, and how they affect the body.
It also involves understanding important safety and legal considerations related to medication use. As a radiologic technologist, this knowledge supports confident decision making and helps you provide the best possible care for patients.
Now a drug can have 3 different names. The chemical name describes the drug's chemical structure and is mainly used during research and development.
Because chemical names can be long and complicated, they are rarely used in clinical practice. The generic name is the name assigned to the drug and is the name most commonly used by healthcare professionals.
A manufacturer may also market the drug under a trade name, sometimes called a brand name. For example, the generic drug diphenhydramine is sold under the trade name Benadryl.
Because patients and healthcare providers may use either name, radiologic technologists should be familiar with both generic and trade names when reviewing medication histories or communicating with the healthcare team.
Drugs can also be classified by their action or purpose. Drugs that relieve pain are called analgesics.
Drugs used to treat bacterial infections are called antibiotics, and drugs used to lower BP are called anti-hypertensives.
Another way drugs are classified is by their legal status. Prescription drugs require an order from a licensed healthcare provider, while over the counter drugs can be purchased without a prescription, as well as vitamins, supplements, or herbal remedies.
These products can interact with medications or affect patient care, so it's important to obtain an accurate medication history before an imaging procedure.
Finally, drugs that are considered controlled substances are divided into five schedules based on the drug's medical use and its potential for abuse.
So Schedule 1 drugs have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use, while Schedule 5 drugs have a low potential for abuse and have accepted medical uses.
In imaging departments, controlled substances may be encountered with sedation, pain control, or emergency care. So technologists must follow facility policy, maintain accurate documentation, and work within their scope of practice.
A drug dosage form refers to the way a medication is prepared for use, while the route of administration describes how it enters the body.
The same medication may be available in several different forms, depending on how quickly it needs to work, and what the drug is used for.
Some tablets are specially formulated to dissolve under the tongue, called sublingual administration, or between the cheek and gum, called buckle administration.
Certain tablets have coatings that delay dissolution until the drug reaches a specific part of the digestive tract, while extended release tablets are designed to release medication slowly over time.
Capsules contain medication inside a gelatin or plant-based shell that dissolves after swallowing. Some medications are designed to act directly where they are needed.
For example, inhaled drugs deliver the medication directly to the lungs and are commonly used to treat conditions such as asthma.
A solution contains a drug that's completely dissolved in a liquid and can be given by mouth or by injection. A suspension contains small drug particles mixed throughout a liquid and is usually taken by mouth because the particles settle over time.
Suspensions should be shaken before use. Other medications are applied directly to the skin.
Transdermal patches slowly release medication through the skin and into the bloodstream over an extended period of time.
This dosage form is especially important in imaging because some patches contain metal components that can heat up during an MR examination and cause skin burns.
Creams and ointments contain drugs that are in a base material that can be spread directly on the skin, and they're typically used to produce a local effect to a specific area.
As a radiologic technologist, it's important to understand why a patient is taking a medication. And how that medication may affect an imaging procedure.
A drug indication is the reason it's prescribed to a patient, while its action is how it produces its intended effect in the body.
Knowing a drug's purpose and expected action can help you recognize potential concerns and contribute to safe patient care.
All drugs have potential adverse effects. Some drugs may cause drowsiness or dizziness, while others may produce allergic reactions that range from mild symptoms to serious life-threatening emergencies.
Because patients can respond differently to drugs, it's important to review your patient's medication history, monitor patients carefully, and be prepared to respond appropriately if a reaction occurs.
Another important concept to keep in mind is pharmacokinetics, which describes what happens to a drug after it enters the body.
Pharmacokinetics includes four processes absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. These are often remembered as ADME.
Absorption is the movement of a drug from the site of administration into the bloodstream. Distribution is the movement of the drug from the bloodstream to tissues and organs throughout the body.
Metabolism is the process of chemically altering or changing the drug, which occurs primarily in the liver. Excretion is the removal of the drug from the body, most often through the kidneys.
Factors such as age, disease, and interactions with other medications can affect how drugs move through the body. As a radiologic technologist, understanding these processes helps you anticipate potential risks, recognize adverse reactions, and support safe patient care during imaging procedures.
All right. As a quick recap, pharmacology is the study of the uses of drugs and their effects on the body.
Fundamental principles of pharmacology include understanding how drugs are named and categorized, the various dosage forms, their indications, actions, and potential adverse effects.
It also involves knowledge of pharmacokinetics, or what happens to a drug after it enters the body. As a radiologic technologist, understanding basic pharmacology helps support safe patient care and effective
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