Question | Answer |
a.c., ac | before meals (ante cibum) |
ACE | angiotensin-converting enzyme |
ad lib | freely, as desired (ad libitum) |
APAP | acetaminophen (Tylenol) |
ARB | angiotensin II receptor blocker |
b.i.d., bid | two times a day (bis in die) |
c | with |
Caps | capsules |
cc | cubic centimeter |
FDA | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
gm, g | gram |
gtt | drops (guttae) |
h | hour (hora) |
h.s., hs | at bedtime (hora somni) |
H2 blocker | histamine H2 receptor antagonist |
HRT | hormone replacement therapy |
IM | intramuscular |
INH | isoniazid—antituberculosis agent |
IV | intravenous |
MAOI | monoamine oxidase inhibitor—an antidepressant |
mg | milligram |
ml, mL | milliliter |
NPO | nothing by mouth (nil per os) |
NSAID | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
p̄ | after (post) |
p.c., pc | after meals (post cibum) |
PCA | patient-controlled analgesia |
PDR | Physicians’ Desk Reference |
PO, p.o., po | by mouth (per os) |
p.r.n., prn | as needed; as necessary (pro re nata, as the occasion arises) |
Pt | patient |
q | every (quaque) |
q.h., qh | every hour (quaque hora) |
q2h | every 2 hours |
q.i.d., qid | four times a day (quater in die) |
q.s., qs | sufficient quantity (quantum satis) |
qAM | every morning |
qPM | every evening |
Rx | prescription |
s¯ | without (sine) |
SERM | selective estrogen receptor modulator |
Sig. | directions—how to take medication |
SL | sublingual |
s.o.s. | if it is necessary (si opus sit) |
SSRI | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor—an antidepressant |
SQ | subcutaneous |
tab | tablet |
TCA | tricyclic antidepressant |
t.i.d., tid | three times daily (ter in die) |
Fluoxetine (Prozac) 20 mg PO b.i.d. | antidepressant taken by mouth twice a day |
Lisinopril (Zestril) 20 mg 1 cap qAM. | antihypertensive taken every morning |
Ondansetron (Zofran) 4 mg 1 tab/cap t.i.d. p.r.n. for nausea | antiemetic taken 3 times a day as needed |
Ranitidine (Zantac) 300 mg 1 tab p.c. t.i.d. | anti-GERD drug taken after meals 3 times a day |
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 5 mg 1 tab qPM | antipsychotic, one tablet every evening |
Acetaminophen (300 mg) & codeine (30 mg) 1 tab q.i.d. p.r.n. for pain | Tylenol with a narcotic taken 4 times a day as needed |
use of drugs in the treatment of disease | chemotherapy |
study of new drug synthesis | medicinal chemistry |
study of how drugs interact with their target molecules | molecular pharmacology |
study of the harmful effects of drugs | toxicology |
study of drug effects in the body | pharmacodynamics |
measurement of drug concentrations in tissues and in blood over a period of time | pharmacokinetics |
Specialist in the study of the harmful effects of drugs on the body is a/n | toxicologist |
Agent given to counteract harmful effects of a drug is a/an | antidote |
Government agency with legal responsibility for enforcing proper drug manufacture and clinical use is | Food and Drug Administration |
The ___________________________________ is the commercial name for a drug. | trade (brand) name |
The ___________________________________ is the complicated chemical formula for a drug. | chemical name |
The ___________________________________ is the legal noncommercial name for a drug. | generic name |
Professional who prepares and dispenses drugs is a/an ___________________________________ | pharmacist |
Specialist (MD or PhD) who studies the properties, uses, and actions of drugs is a/an | pharmacologist |
Reference book listing drug products is ___________________________________ | Physicians’ Desk Reference |
Authoritative listing of drugs, formulas, and preparations that sets a standard for drug manufacturing and dispensing is_____________ | United States Pharmacopeia |
administered via suppository or fluid into the anus | rectal |
administered via vapor or gas into the nose or mouth | inhalation |
administered under the tongue | sublingual |
applied locally on skin or mucous membrane | topical |
injected via syringe under the skin or into a vein, muscle, or body cavity | parenteral |
given by mouth and absorbed through the stomach or intestinal wall | oral |
intravenous | within a vein |
intrathecal | within a sheath (membranes around the spinal cord or brain) |
antiseptic | an agent that works against infection |
antipruritic | an agent that works against itching |
aerosol | a solution of particles (drug) in air (vapor or gas) |
intramuscular | within a muscle |
subcutaneous | under the skin |
intracavitary | within a cavity |
addiction | physical and psychological dependence on a drug |
dose | amount of drug administered |
resistance | lack of beneficial response |
response | desired and beneficial effect of a drug |
schedule | exact timing and frequency of drug administration |
dependence | prolonged use of a drug that may lead to physiologic need for its actions in the body |
lotions, creams, ointments | topical |
tablets and capsules | oral |
skin testing for allergy | intradermal |
lumbar puncture | intrathecal |
deep injection, usually in buttock | intramuscular |
suppositories | rectal |
blood transfusions | intravenous |
aerosol medications | inhalation |
combination of two drugs is greater than the total effects of each drug by itself | synergism (potentiation) |
combination of two drugs that is equal to the sum of the effects of each | additive action |
effects of a given drug dose become less as treatment continues, and larger and larger doses must be given to achieve the desired effect | tolerance |
an unexpected effect that may appear in a patient following administration of a drug | idiosyncrasy |
two drugs give less than an additive effect (action) | antagonistic |
antibiotic | an agent that inhibits or kills germ life (microorganisms) |
antidepressant | an agent that relieves the symptoms of depression |
antihistamine | an agent that blocks the action of histamine and relieves allergic symptoms |
analgesic | an agent that relieves pain |
anticoagulant | an agent that prevents blood clotting |
anesthetic | an agent that reduces or eliminates sensation |
antidiabetic | an agent used to prevent diabetes mellitus |
sedative | an agent (mildly hypnotic) that relaxes and calms nervousness |
stimulant | an agent that excites and promotes activity |
tranquilizer | a drug used to control anxiety and severe disturbances of behavior |
caffeine or amphetamines | stimulant |
penicillin or erythromycin | antibiotic |
insulin | antidiabetic |
benzodiazepine | sedative/ hypnotic |
heparin | anticoagulant |
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug | analgesic |
phenothiazine | tranquilizer |
anaphylactic shock | antihistamine |
beta-blocker | drug that blocks the action of epinephrine at sites of receptors of heart muscles, blood vessels, and bronchial tubes (antihypertensive, antianginal, and antiarrhythmic) |
androgen | a drug that produces male sexual characteristics |
glucocorticoid | a hormone from the adrenal glands that reduces inflammation and raises blood sugar |
calcium channel blocker | a drug that blocks the entrance of calcium into heart muscle and blood vessel walls (antianginal, antiarrhythmic, and antihypertensive) |
estrogen | a hormone that produces female sexual characteristics |
antacid | a drug that neutralizes acid in the stomach |
cathartic | a drug that relieves constipation |
antiemetic | a drug that prevents nausea and vomiting |
bronchodilator | a drug that opens air passages |
hypnotic | an agent that produces sleep |
diuretic | a drug that reduces the volume of blood and lowers blood pressure |
cholesterol-lowering drug | a drug that reduces cholesterol levels (treats hypercholesterolemia) |
what treats abnormal uterine bleeding caused by hormonal imbalance | progestins |
what treats severe behavior disturbances and anxiety | tranquilizer |
what treats epilepsy | anticonvulsant |
what treats congestive heart failure and hypertension | ACE inhibitor |
what treats epigastric discomfort | antacid |
what treats myalgia and neuralgia | analgesic |
what treats anaphylactic shock | antihistamine |
what treats thrombosis and embolism | anticoagulant |
what treats streptococcal pharyngitis | antibiotic |
what treats asthma | bronchodilator |
agent that reduces fever | antipyretic |
agent that reduces itching | antipruritic |
habit-forming analgesic | narcotic |
antibiotic derived from a red mold | erythromycin |
legal nonproprietary name of a drug | generic |
factor in a patient's condition that prevents the use of a particular drug | contraindication |
drug that produces an absence of sensation or feeling | anesthetic |
Cephalosporins (such as cefuroxime and cefprozil) and penicillins are examples of a/an ___________________________________ drug. | antibiotic |
Advil (ibuprofen) is an example of a/an ___________________________________ | NSAID |
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin) are examples of a/an ___________________________________ drug. | anticonvulsant |
Zovirax (acyclovir) and Crixivan (indinavir) are both types of a/an ___________________________________ drug. | antiviral |
Nolvadex (tamoxifen), used to treat estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer in women, is an example of a/an ___________________________________ drug. | antiestrogen |
Patients with high blood pressure may need Vasotec (enalapril) or Zestril (lisinopril). Both of these are examples of a/an ___________________________________. | ACE inhibitor |
Metformin (Glucophage) and rosiglitazone (Avandia) are two types of ___________________________________ drugs. | oral antidiabetic for type 2 diabetes |
Evista (raloxifene), used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, is an example of a selective estrogen receptor modulator or ___________________________________. | SERM |
Amitriptyline (Elavil) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are two types of a/an ___________________________________ drug. | antidepressant |
If you have an allergy, your doctor may prescribe Allegra (fexofenadine), which is a/an ___________________________________ drug | antihistamine |
Two agents that reduce the amount of fluid in the blood and thus lower blood pressure are Lasix (furosemide) and Aldactone (spironolactone). These are ___________________________________ drugs. | diuretic |
Xylocaine (lidocaine) and Pentothal (thiopental) are examples of a/an ___________________________________ drug. | anesthetic |
(TRANSLATE) 1 tab PO q.i.d. p.c. and h.s. | take one tablet by mouth, four times a day, after meals and at bedtime |
(TRANSLATE) 15-60 mg IM q4-6h | administer 15-60 milligrams intramuscularly, every 4-6 hours |
(TRANSLATE) 2 caps p.o. h.s. | take two capsules by mouth at bedtime |
(TRANSLATE) 1 tab SL p.r.n. | place one tablet under the tongue, as needed |
(TRANSLATE) Apply topically qhs prn | apply to the skin, at bedtime as needed |
After his heart attack, Bernie was supposed to take many drugs, including diuretics and a/an (progestin, laxative, anticoagulant) to prevent blood clots. (CHOOSE THE RIGHT ANSWER) | anticoagulant |
Estelle was always anxious and had a hard time sleeping. Dr. Max suggested that a mild (antacid, anticonvulsant, tranquilizer) would help her relax and concentrate on her work (CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER) | tranquilizer |
During chemotherapy Helen was very nauseated. Dr. Cohen prescribed an (antihypertensive, antiemetic, antianginal) to relieve her symptoms of queasy stomach. (CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER) | antiemetic |
The two antibiotics worked together and were therefore (idiosyncratic, generic, synergistic) in killing the bacteria in Susan's bloodstream. (CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER) | synergistic |
The label warned that the drug might impair fine motor skills. It listed the (side effects, antidote, pharmacodynamics) of the sedative. (CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER) | side effects |
After receiving the results of Judy's sputum culture, her physician, an expert in infectious disease, recommended Biaxin and other _____ to combat the Mycobacterium avium complex disease in her _____. | antibiotics, lungs |
Our dog, Eli, has had seizures since he was hit by a car last year. The veterinarian currently prescribes phenobarbital, an (anticoagulant, antinauseant, anticonvulsant), 45 mg b.i.d. (every other day, twice a day, every evening). | anticonvulsant, twice a day |
To control his type 1 (heart disease, asthma, diabetes), David gives himself daily injections of (oral drugs, insulin, aromatase inhibitors). | diabetes, insulin |
Many students who want to stay awake to study are taking (stimulants, sedatives, tranquilizers) containing (lithium, caffeine, butabarbital). | stimulants, caffeine |
Shelly's wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath when she is stressed and exposed to animal dander all pointed to a diagnosis of (pneumonia, asthma, heart disease), which required treatment with steroids and (antivirals, diuretics, bronchodilators). | asthma, bronchodilators |