A Nurse's Survival Guide to Drugs in Practice

SECTION 1 Principles of Pharmacology

1.1 Introduction to pharmacology

1.2 The law, drugs, prescribing and medicines management

1.3 Formulation and administration

1.4 Pharmacokinetics

1.5 Pharmacodynamics

1.6 Adverse drug reactions

SECTION 2 Autonomic Nervous System

2.1 Autonomic nervous system - overview

2.2 Adrenergic pharmacology

2.3 Cholinergic pharmacology

SECTION 3 Pain, analgesia and anaesthesia

3.1 Pain, analgesia and anaesthesia - overview

3.2 Opioid analgesia

3.3 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol

3.4 Anaesthesia

SECTION 4 Central Nervous System

4.1 Central nervous system - overview

4.2 Chemical transmission in the brain

4.3 Epilepsy

4.4 Antipsychotics

4.5 Antidepressants and mood stabilisers

4.6 Anxiolytics and hypnotics

4.7 Neurodegenerative disorders

SECTION 5 Cardiovascular System

5.1 Cardiovascular system - overview

5.2 Hypertension

5.3 Atherosclerosis and lipid-lowering drugs

5.4 Ischaemic heart disease

5.5 Cardiac arrhythmias

5.6 Cardiac failure

5.7 Antithrombotics

SECTION 6 Respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal systems

6.1 Respiratory system

6.2 Renal system and diuretics

6.3 Gastrointestinal tract

SECTION 7 Endocrine System

7.1 Endocrine pancreas and diabetes mellitus

7.2 Pituitary gland and adrenal cortex

7.3 Disorders of bone and bone metabolism

7.4 Sex hormones

7.5 Pregnancy

SECTION 8 Chemotherapy

8.1 Cancer chemotherapy

8.2 Antimicrobial drugs

SECTION 9 Other areas of pharmacology

9.1 Herbal medicines

9.2 Paediatric pharmacology

9.3 Drugs and the elderly

9.4 Topical drugs

9.5 Emergency treatment of poisoning

References

Further reading

Appendix: drug measurement and calculation

• Comprehensive coverage of drugs in use to offer security in any clinical setting

• Succinct and clear information in boxes, lists etc to facilitate assimilation of information ‘on the spot’

• Attractive page design and well signposted layout to enable quick access to the right information

• Flexicover to maintain quality in a clinical setting and when frequently used

• Covers basic pharmacology including drug absorption and metabolism as well as explaining how drugs actually work

• Fully up to date with government guidelines e,g, from NICE, the Resuscitation Council and the British Thoracic Society etc.

• Additional sections on the legal aspects of administering and prescribing drugs, drug calculations and paediatric doses