ABSTRACT

This third edition of Introducing Pharmacology provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the subject of pharmacology for nursing and healthcare students – and anyone needing to refresh their knowledge of this important area.

The third edition recognises that many nursing and healthcare courses are now requiring students to engage with the subject of pharmacology at a higher level. Accordingly, this edition has been reinforced with more advanced pharmacology that will help these students, but without losing the clarity and accessibility of earlier editions.

This popular text includes:

• Clear explanations of how drugs work in the human body

• The underlying physiology and pathophysiology necessary for an understanding of the action of drugs

• Coverage of the common drug groups that nurses and other healthcare professionals are likely to encounter in practice

• Case-studies, relating pharmacological theory to clinical practice

• An extensive glossary of key terms and definitions

New to this edition:

  • A new ‘beyond the basics’ feature, providing a deeper explanation of the mechanism of action of key drugs, supporting students studying at a more advanced level
  • A new section covering drugs for the treatment of nausea and labyrinthine disorders
  • An expanded chapter on drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics
  • Enhanced and more detailed illustrations
  • Updated content that reflects latest guidelines and recently licensed drugs

part 1|88 pages

Principles of pharmacology

chapter Chapter 1|20 pages

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

chapter Chapter 2|27 pages

Proteins as targets for drugs

chapter Chapter 3|38 pages

A drug’s journey through the body

part 2|278 pages

The major drug groups

chapter Chapter 6|33 pages

Pain and its management

chapter Chapter 7|23 pages

Disorders and drugs of the digestive system

chapter Chapter 8|31 pages

Infection and antimicrobial drugs

chapter Chapter 9|23 pages

Disorders and drugs of the respiratory system

chapter Chapter 10|32 pages

Disorders and drugs of the endocrine system

chapter Chapter 11|29 pages

Drugs for mental health and neurological disorders

chapter Chapter 12|26 pages

Cancer and anti-cancer drugs