Introducing Pharmacology For Nursing and Healthcare

This new edition of Introducing Pharmacology remains an accessible and relevant introduction for nursing and healthcare students who are new to pharmacology, as well anyone looking to refresh their knowledge of the subject. Focused and engaging, the text balances accessibility with depth. Coverage of anatomy and physiology as well as pathophysiology helps to relate the subject to practical realities and makes this text stand out.

It includes:

• Concise explanations of how drugs work in the human body.
• Explains the underlying physiology and pathophysiology necessary for an understanding of the action of drugs.
• All of the common drug groups that practitioners are likely to encounter in clinical practice.

New to this edition:

• Additional chapter on cancer and anti-cancer drugs.
• New sections, including general anaesthetics, hay-fever and prescribing for special groups such as children, pregnant women and the elderly.
• Updated to include the latest UK prescribing guidelines.
• New case-studies, relating pharmacological theory to clinical practice.
• Inclusion of a new glossary of key terms and definitions.

Part 1 Principles of pharmacology

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

2 Protein targets for drugs

3 Side-effects, interactions and pharmacokinetics

Part 2 The major drug groups

4 The cardiovascular system I: drugs used in the management of coronary artery disease

5 The cardiovascular system II: hypertension and antihypertensive drugs

6 Inflammation and the management of pain

7 Disorders and drugs of the digestive system

8 Infection and anti-microbial drugs

9 Disorders and drugs of the respiratory system

10 Disorders and drugs of the endocrine system

11 Drugs used in the treatment of mental health and neurological disorders

12 Drugs used in the treatment of Cancers and Chemotherapy