Question

Chemical names are assigned to each drug. What are the major reasons for why nurses usually do not use the chemical names of drugs?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Select all that apply.

Group of answer choices

They are often difficult to pronounce.

There is no standard for assigning names.

There is only one chemical name for each drug.

They do not explain the nature of the drug.

They are usually not brief or easy to remember.

Answer 1

Chemical names are assigned to each drug. The major reasons for nurses usually do not use the chemical names of drugs because

They are often difficult to pronounce

They are usually not brief or easy to remember.

Explanation: Chemical name depicts the drug's chemical nature. However, this is too cumbersome to remember, and hence never used practically when prescribing.

A chemical name is assigned using standard nomenclature established by International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. They are complicated or difficult to remember or pronounce. For example, few nurses know the chemical name for diazepam: 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin--2-one.In only a few cases usually when the name is brief and easily remembered, will nurses use chemical names. For example, sodium chloride, lithium carbonate etc.