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 area

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