Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

Medication calculations are a foundational nursing skill—and one of the most critical for patient safety. From weight-based dosing and IV drip rates to unit conversions and dose adjustments, small calculation errors can have serious consequences. In this episode, we’ll break down medication calculations in nursing pharmacology with a clear, practical approach focused on real clinical scenarios. Whether you’re building confidence, brushing up for exams, or double-checking bedside math, this discussion reinforces why accuracy, consistency, and critical thinking matter every time a medication is calculated.

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The route of administration can change everything about how a medication works—from how fast it takes effect to how safe and effective it is for a specific patient. For nurses, choosing and administering the correct route is a critical clinical responsibility that directly affects outcomes. In this episode, we’ll explore common routes of administration in nursing pharmacology, including oral, IV, subcutaneous, topical, and inhaled therapies. We’ll discuss when and why certain routes are preferred, common pitfalls to avoid, and how nursing judgment plays a key role in safe medication delivery.

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Dosage forms are more than just pills and injections—they directly impact how medications work, how quickly they act, and how safely they’re used. For nurses, understanding the differences between tablets, liquids, injectables, patches, and modified-release products is critical to proper administration and patient education. In this episode, we’ll explore common dosage forms in nursing pharmacology, why they matter, and how choosing—or administering—the wrong form can lead to errors or reduced effectiveness. This discussion connects dosage form basics to real bedside decisions nurses make every day.

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Pharmacokinetics explains what the body does to a medication—and for nurses, it’s essential to understanding how and why drugs work differently from one patient to the next. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion all influence onset, duration, and safety of therapy at the bedside. In this episode, we’ll break down pharmacokinetics with a nursing lens, tying key concepts to real-world scenarios like renal impairment, IV versus oral dosing, and timing of medication administration. The goal is to make pharmacokinetics practical, approachable, and directly relevant to everyday nursing care.

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This is section 1.3 of the nearly 20-hour Nursing Pharmacology Review Course from Meded101! Enjoy!

Pharmacodynamics is the “why” behind what medications do in the body—and for nurses, understanding it is key to safe and effective patient care. From receptor binding and dose–response relationships to therapeutic effects and adverse reactions, pharmacodynamics helps explain how medications produce both benefit and harm. In this episode, we’ll break down pharmacodynamics in a practical, nurse-focused way, connecting core concepts to real bedside decisions. Whether you’re titrating a medication, monitoring for side effects, or educating patients, this discussion will help you see how pharmacodynamics guides everyday nursing practice.

Find access to the review course at meded101.com/nurse