Introducing Pharmacology: For Nursing and Healthcare

Description:

This third edition of Introducing Pharmacology provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the subject of pharmacology for nursing and healthcare students – and anyone needing to refresh their knowledge of this important area. The third edition recognises that many nursing and healthcare courses are now requiring students to engage with the subject of pharmacology at a higher level. Accordingly, this edition has been reinforced with more advanced pharmacology that will help these students, but without losing the clarity and accessibility of earlier editions.

This popular text includes:

• Clear explanations of how drugs work in the human body

• The underlying physiology and pathophysiology necessary for an understanding of the action of drugs

 • Coverage of the common drug groups that nurses and other healthcare professionals are likely to encounter in practice

 • Case-studies, relating pharmacological theory to clinical practice

 • An extensive glossary of key terms and definitions

New to this edition: A new ‘beyond the basics’ feature, providing a deeper explanation of the mechanism of action of key drugs, supporting students studying at a more advanced level A new section covering drugs for the treatment of nausea and labyrinthine disorders An expanded chapter on drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics Enhanced and more detailed illustrations Updated content that reflects latest guidelines and recently licensed drugs

Table of Contents:

Part 1 Principles of pharmacology

1 Let’s start at basics: cells and how they work

Contents

Introduction

1.1 Levels of organisation: from cells to systems

1.2 A brief introduction to cells

1.3 A brief introduction to (basic) biochemistry

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

2 Proteins as targets for drugs

Contents

Introduction

2.1 Why do proteins make good targets for drugs?

2.2 Protein targets 1: receptors

2.3 Protein targets 2: ion channels

2.4 Protein targets 3: enzymes

2.5 Protein targets 4: carrier proteins

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

3 A drug’s journey through the body

Contents

Introduction

3.1 A drug’s journey through the body

3.2 How drugs can cause side-effects

3.3 Drug interactions

3.4 Pharmacokinetics – factors that determine the correct dosage of drugs

3.5 Drugs and special groups

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

Part 2 The major drug groups

4 The cardiovascular system (1): drugs used in the management of cardiovascular disease

Contents

Introduction

4.1 The physiology of the cardiovascular system

4.2 The pathology of coronary artery disease

4.3 Drugs used in the treatment of coronary artery and cardiovascular disease

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

5 The cardiovascular system (2): hypertension and antihypertensive drugs

Contents

Introduction

5.1 The physiology of blood pressure

5.2 The pathology of hypertension

5.3 Drugs used in the treatment of hypertension

5.4 Drugs used in the treatment of hypotension

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

6 Pain and its management

Contents

Introduction

6.1 The physiology of pain and pain pathways

6.2 The pathology of inflammation and pain

6.3 Drugs used in the management of inflammation and pain

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

7 Disorders and drugs of the digestive system

Contents

Introduction

7.1 The physiology of the digestive system

7.2 Disorders of the digestive system

7.3 Drugs used in the management of digestive system disorders

7.4 Drugs for nausea and labyrinthine disorders

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

8 Infection and antimicrobial drugs

Contents

Introduction

8.1 How do microorganisms fit into the scheme of life?

8.2 Bacteria

8.3 Fungi

8.4 Viruses

8.5 Protozoa

8.6 Helminths (worms)

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

9 Disorders and drugs of the respiratory system

Contents

Introduction

9.1 The anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system

9.2 Disorders of the respiratory system

9.3 Drugs used in the management of respiratory system disorders

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

10 Disorders and drugs of the endocrine system

Contents

Introduction

10.1 Principles of endocrine control

10.2 Disorders of glucose regulation and associated drugs

10.3 Hormonal regulation of reproduction and associated drugs

10.4 The thyroid gland: physiology, pathology and associated drugs

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

11 Drugs for mental health and neurological disorders

Contents

Introduction

11.1 The neurophysiological basis of mental health and neurological disorders

11.2 The principles of drug treatment for mental health and neurological disorders

11.3 Drugs used in the treatment of mental health disorders

11.4 Drugs used in the treatment of neurological disorders

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

12 Cancer and anti-cancer drugs

Contents

Introduction

12.1 The physiology underlying cancer – cell division

12.2 The pathophysiology of cancer

12.3 Anti-cancer drugs – chemotherapy

References and further recommended reading

Test yourself

General resources: books and websites

Answers to ‘Test yourself’ questions

Glossary of biomedical terms

Index