Apprenticeship Learning Log

 

Date of Learning:29/01/2025

Time: 9:30 -16:30

Title of learning activity: Principles of Pharmacology.

 

Diary of Learning activity

(itemise learning activity and reflect on the main points of learning from each. You should identify for each entry the relevant KSB)

Reflection on Learning Activity (include model of reflection e.g. Driscoll or Gibbs):

 

Pharmacology -is the science that examines the:

• Composition
• Effect
• Uses of drugs

Pharmacodynamics – what drug do to the body:

• Acting on receptors
• Acting on enzymes
• Acting on transporters

Pharmacokinetics – what body do to the drug:

• Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
• Bioavailability
• Therapeutic Range
• Half-Life
• Peak-plasma concentrations

How the body processes the drug

• Usually broken down to 4 stages:
  1. Absorption
  2. Distribution
  3. Metabolism
  4. Excretion

Routes

Falls into 3 categories:

 

• Enteral, via the gastrointestinal tract via the portal circulation, to the liver e.g administered via oral, sublingual, buccal or rectal route
• Parenteral, refers to IV, IM or subcutaneous administration
• Topical, application of a medication directly to a site e.g. creams, inhalations, oral rinses

 

Some drug will be absorbed through stomach lining into the blood

MOST drugs will be absorbed through small intestine

Remember – the small intestines have a large surface area for absorption

Factors affecting absorption:

 

• Food
  • Sometimes need to take drugs on an empty stomach – check BNF
• Controlled Release Drugs
  • Formulated to be released slowly along GI Tract
  • DON’T CRUSH – destroys slow-release formulation; patient will absorb too quickly = BAD
• Enteric Coated Drugs
  • Special coating to delay absorption – may help to protect the stomach e.g. aspirin
  • DON’T CRUSH – destroys the coating; absorption will not be delayed = BAD

Factors affecting pharmacokinetics

 

 

• Disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea
• Circulatory disorders
• Liver disorders
• Kidney disorders
• Interaction between drugs can affect their activity in the body

 

Today’s session helped to understand the meaning of pharmacology, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetics.

Confirmed my thought, that Morphine is a Heroin Drug and all Antibiotic’s stop bacteria from multiplying. From the few first douses our condition doesn’t progress/ won’t get worse. Its very important to complete the whole course of antibiotic.

 

KSBs addressed:

 

K27: Understand the principles of safe and effective administration and optimisation of medicines in accordance with local and national policies

K28: Understand the effects of medicines, allergies, drug sensitivity, side effects, contraindications and adverse reactions

K29: Understand the different ways by which medicines can be prescribed