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Med Term Mod_21
Terms, Abbreviations & Meanings
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| a.c., ac | before meals(Latin: ante cibum) |
| ACE | angiotensin-converting enzyme |
| ad lib | freely, as desired(Latin: ad libitum) |
| APAP | acetominophen(Tylenol) |
| b.i.d., bid | two times a fay(Latin: bis in die) |
| c (with an line over c) | with |
| Caps | capsules |
| cc | cubic centimeter |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| gm, g | gram |
| gtt | drops(Latin: guttae) |
| h | hour(Latin: hora) |
| h.s., hs | at bedtime |
| H2 blocker | histimine H2 receptor antagonist |
| HRT | hormone replacement therapy |
| IM | intramuscular |
| INH | isoniazid-antituberculosis agent |
| IV | intravenous |
| MAOI | monoamine oxidase inhibitor |
| mg | milligram |
| ml, mL | milliliter |
| NPO | nothing by mouth(Latin: nil per os) |
| NSAID | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
| p (with an line over p) | after(Latin: post) |
| p.c., pc | after meals(Latin: post cibum) |
| PCA | patient-controlled analgesia |
| PDR | Physician's Desk Reference |
| p.o., po, PO | by mouth(Latin: per os) |
| p.r.n., prn | as needed, as necessary(Latin: pro re nata, as the ocassion arises) |
| Pt | patient |
| q | every (Latin: quaque) |
| q.h., qh | every hour(Latin: quaque hora) |
| q2h | every 2 hours |
| q.i.d., qid | four times a day(Latin: quater in die) |
| q.s., qs | sufficient quantity(Latin: quantum satis) |
| qAM | every morning |
| qPM | every evening |
| Rx | prescription |
| s (with an line over s) | without(Latin: sine) |
| SERM | selective estrogen receptor modulator |
| Sig. | directions on how to take medication |
| SL | sublingual |
| s.o.s. | if it is necessary(Latin: si opus sit) |
| SSRI | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| SQ | subcutaneous |
| tab | tablet |
| TCA | tricyclic antodepressant |
| t.i.d., tid | three times daily(Latin: ter in die) |
| ACE inhibitor | drug that lowers blood pressure; antihypertensive drug |
| addition | physical & psychologic dependence on & craving for a drug |
| additive action | combination of 2 similar drugs is equal to sum of effects of each |
| aerosol | particles of drug suspended in air |
| amphetamine | CNS stimulant |
| analgesic | drug that relieves pain |
| anaphylaxis | exaggerated hypersensitivity reaction to previously encountered drug or antigen |
| androgen | male hormone |
| anesthesia | absence of nervous feeling/sensation |
| anesthetic | drug that reduces/eliminates nervous sensation |
| angiotensin II receptor antagonist | drug that lowers blood pressure by preventing angiotensin from acting on receptors in blood vessels |
| antacid | drug that works against acid in stomach |
| antagonistic action | combination of 2 drugs gives less than the sum of effects of each together |
| anti androgen | drug that slows uptake of androgens/interferes with their effect in tissues |
| antiarrhythmic | drug that treats abnormal heart rhythms |
| antibiotic | chemical substance that has ability to inhibit/destroy foreign organisms in body |
| anticoagulant | drug that prevents blood clotting |
| anticonvulsant | depress or prevent abnormal spontaneous brain activity withou affecting normal function |
| antidepressant | drug that relieves symptoms of depression |
| antidiabetic | drug given to prevent/treat diabetes mellitus |
| antidiarrheal | drug that prevents diarrhea |
| antidote | agent given to counteract an unwanted effect of a drug |
| antiemetic | drug that prevents nausea & vomiting |
| antihistamine | drug that blocks action of histamine & helps prevent symptoms of allergy |
| antinauseant | drug that relieves nausea & vomiting; antiemetic |
| antiplatlet | drug that reduces tendanct of platlets to stick together & form a clot |
| antipruritic | drug that acts against pruritus |
| antupyretic | drug that lowers fever |
| antiulcer | drug that inhibits secretion of acid by cells lining stomach |
| antiviral | drug that acts against viruses such as herpes & HIV |
| aromatase inhibitor | drug that reduces estrogen (estradiol) in blood by blocking enzyme aromatase |
| bactericidal | pertaining to killing, rather than inhibiting, growth of bacteria, fungi, or parasites |
| becteriostatic | pertaining to inhibiting growth of bacteria, fungi, or parasites |
| beta-blocker | blocks action of epinephrine at receptor sites in the heart and blood vessels |
| bisphosphonate | drug that prevents bone loss in osteoporosis & osteopenia |
| brand name | commercial name for a drug; trade/trademark name |
| bronchodilator | agent that dilates blood vessels & relieves bronchospasm |
| caffeine | CNS stimulant |
| calcium channel blocker | drug that stops entrance of calcium into muscles of heart & blood vessels |
| lowers blood pressure & restore normal heart rhythm | calcium channel blocker |
| cardiovascular | pertaining to hear & blood vessels |
| cardiovascular drugs | act on the heart & blood vessels |
| cathartic | drug that relieves constipation |
| chemical name | chemical formula for a drug |
| chemotherapy | treatment with drugs |
| contraindication | factor in patient's condition that prevents use of particular drug/treatment |
| diuretic | drug that promotes/increases production of urine |
| emetic | drug that promotes vomiting |
| endocrine | pertaining to internal secretion |
| endocrine drugs | hormone or hormone-like drug acting on a part of endocrine system |
| erythromycin | antibiotic that is extracted from a red mold |
| estrogen | female hormone that promotes secondary sex characteristics & supports reproductive tissues |
| gastrointestinal | pertaining to stomach & intestines |
| generic name | legal, noncommercial name for a drug |
| glucocorticoid | hormone from adrenal cortex that raises blood sugar & reduces tissue inflammation |
| hypnotic | drug that promotes sleep or a trance-like state |
| hypodermic | pertaining to under the skin |
| iatrogenic | pertaining to condition that is produced by physician/treatment |
| idiosyncrasy | unexpected effect produced in particularly sensitive individual; not seen in most patients |
| inhalation | administration of drugs in gaseous/vapor form through nose/mouth |
| intrathecal | pertainin to within meninges/membranes surrounding spinal cord |
| laxative | weak cathartic; promotes movement of feces through colon |
| medical chemistry | study of new drug synthesis & relationship between chemical structure of drug & biological effects |
| molecular pharmacology | study of interaction of drugs & target molecules, enzymes, or cell surface receptors |
| narcotic | habit-forming drug that relieves pain by producing stupor & insensibility |
| orla administration | drugs that are given by mouth |
| parenteral administration | drugs/nourishment given intravenously & other than the intestinal tract |
| pharmacist | specialist in preparing & dispensing drugs |
| pharmacodynamics | study of effects & strengths of a drug within body |
| pharmacokinetics | calculation of drug concentration in tissues & body fluids over period of time |
| pharmacologist | specialist in stufy of properties, uses & actions of drugs |
| pharmacology | study of properties, uses & actions of drugs |
| pharmacy | location for/study of preparing & dispensing drugs |
| progestin | hormone that stimulates uterine lining during pregnancy & is used in treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding & HRT |
| purgative | drug that relieves constipation & is strong cathartic |
| receptor | target substance with which a drug interacts in the body |
| rectal administration | drugs inserted through anus into rectum |
| respiratory drug | treats asthma, emphysema & infections affecting breathing |
| sedative | mild sleep inducing agent that relaxes patient without necessaryily producing sleep |
| side effect | predictable toxic effects that are considered tolerable |
| stimulant | drug that excited & promotes activity |
| subcutaneous | pertaining to under skin |
| sublingual | pertaining to under tounge |
| synergism | drug action in which combination of two drugs causes effect greater than sum of individual effects of each drug |
| synergistic | pertaining to syngerism |
| syringe | instrument for introducing/withdrawing fluids from body |
| thryroid hormone | secretion from thyroid gland that stimulates cellular metabolism |
| tolerance | drug action which larger & larger doses must be given to achieve a desired effect |
| topical application | drugs applied locally on skin or on mucous membranes of body |
| toxicity | harmful effect of a drug |
| toxicology | branch of pharmacology that studies harmful chemicals & effects on body |
| tranquilizer | drug that controls anxiety & severe disturbances of behavior |
| transport | movement of drug across cell membrane into body cells |
| vasodilator | drug that widens blood vessels |
| vitamin | substance found in foods & essential in small quanities for growth & good health |
| drug | any chemical/biological substance used in disease prevention/treatment, or used to benefit a body process/function |
| sources of digitalis, penicillin, & streptomycin | are plants |
| animals provide | hormones |
| laboratory synthesis of chemicals to make drugs like | methotrexate & prednisone |
| Some of the most widely ingested drugs are | vitamins contained in foods |
| a broad medical specialty demanding study of medicinal chemistry, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, chemotherapy, & toxicology | pharmacology |
| either a medical physician, or PhD professional who specializes in pharmacology is | a pharmacist |
| marketed drugs are always assigned | at least two, and often three, names |
| official name given to a drug, for legal & scientific purposes | generic name |
| if a drug falls into competitive marketing each manufacturer will distribute/sell under their own | trade, or brand name |
| required name that reveals drug's basic elements & coumpounds, scientific make-up | chemical name |
| in Europe and many parts of Africa, a pharmacist is called | a chemist |
| in Europe & many parts of Africe a chemist | takes the role of a doctor for minor disorders |
| pharmacists are health care professionals must complete | 5yr BS or 6-7 yr PharmD course of study |
| pharmacists must also pass | a state licensing exam |
| United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) | reviews drugs as clinically useful and pure; they are independent |
| legislative body legally responsible for passing rigorous drug standards regarding efficacy, purity, and extensive testing of a drug in the U.S. | Food & Drug Administration |
| Many drugs have more than one | dose form |
| more than one dose form allows drugs to be | delivered in ways that are amenable to more than one situation or type of patient |
| most convenient form of administration | oral |
| oral administration is slower than most other forms and also | requires that the drug be able to withstand the digestive system's challenges |
| route of absorption bypasses digestive route & is valuable when time is crucial | sublingual administration |
| helpful when a patient is experiencing nausea/vomiting & can't tolerate swallowing | rectal administration |
| transdermal patches | designed to control the release of drugs directly into the systemic circulation |
| pain-relieving drugs, birth control, & smoking cessation drugs are avilable as | transdermal patches |
| Injections | administration of a drug from a tube syringe through hollow needle placed under skin |
| there are six basic types of | parenteral injections |
| least invasive parenteral injection | subcutaneous |
| hypodermic needle inserted into subcutaneous tissue under the skin, usually in | the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen |
| intradermal injection | injection made into the upper layers of the skin |
| used in skin testing for allergies | intradermal injection |
| intramuscular (IM) injection | helps avoid skin irritation & is useful for large volumes of long-acting drugs |
| intravenous (IV) injection | given directly into the vein for an almost immediate effect |
| when administration into other tissues would not be safe | intravenous (IV) injection |
| intrathecal injection | drug delivered into underlying membranes or meninges surrounding spinal cord & brain |
| delivery of chemotherapy for the treatment of leukemia | intrathecal injection |
| intracavitary injection | injection made directly into a body cavity; such as peritoneal/pleural cavities |
| spray, ointment, cream, lotion, or transdermal patch; deliver drugs through skin | topical administration |
| inhaling vapor/gas through nose/mouth medication absorbed through thin walls of air sacs in lungs | inhalation administration |
| process of absorption | is the process of passing into the bloodstream |
| target cell receptor may be intracellular or | on the cell's surface |
| drug metabolism | changes the drug undergoes within the body |
| a drug's therapeutic effects take place | between absorption and excretion |
| Therapeutic effects can be additive or they can result in | synergism, or potentiation |
| potentiation | enhancement of one agent by another; combined effect greater than sum of effects of each one alone |
| tolerance can be a feature of, although not the same thing as | addiction |
| addiction | physical & psychological dependence that shows clear negative effects when withdrawn |
| idiosyncrasy can be | mild, or severe toxicity |
| a serious unwanted reaction to a drug may require | an antidote to be given |
| used to relieve only the most severe pain | narcotics/opioids |
| opioids | derived from opium, induce near unconsciousness inhibiting acitivity |
| reduce fever, pain, and inflammation without exposing the patient to steroid hormones | NSAIDS |
| NSAIDS inihibit | prostaglandins |
| prostaglandins | sensitize peripheral pain receptors |
| general anesthetic | depress activity of CNS & produce loss of consiousness |
| local anesthetics | inhibit nerve conduction in a single region |
| antibiotics can take the form of | bacteriostatic or bactericidal |
| pathogenic organisms we were targeting could become resistant to that agent | indiscriminate use of antibiotics |
| heparin or warfarin prevent clotting in conditions such as | thrombosis & embolism |
| tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) | dissolves clots in coronary arteries after myocardial infarction |
| improved the quality of life for patients with epilepsy and certain kinds of brain tumors | anticonvulsants |
| type 1 diabetes patients must receive daily injections | of human insulin |
| type 2 diabetes patients may receive | oral antidiabetic drugs |
| axample of an oral antidiabetic drug | sulfonylureas |
| sulfonylureas | lower glucose levels by stimulating insulin production |
| biguanides | increase body's sensitivity to insulin & reduce liver production of glucose |
| alpha-glucosidase inihibitors | temporarily block enzymes that digest sugars |
| thiazolidinediones | enhance glucose uptake |
| meglitinides | stimulate beta cells in pancreas to provide insulin |
| also used to prevent motion sickness | antihistamines |
| used in cases of ingested poison | emetics |
| antiosteoporosis drugs | help prevent abnormal loss of bone density & increase calium deposition in bone |
| bisphosphonates | prevent bone loss |
| SERMs | increase bone formation |
| antidepressants relieve depression in a variety of ways | elevating mood, increasing activity/alertness, & improving appetite/sleep patterns |
| tricyclic antidepressants & selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors | block neurotransmitters by blocking their uptake from synapses between nerve cells |
| monoamine oxidase inhibitors | help neurotransmitters work longer by blocking natural inhibitor, |
| enzyme monoamine oxidase | natural neurotramsitter inhibitor |
| One of the first steps in preventing or controlling several cardiovascular disorders | administration of aspirin |
| administration of aspirin is used to | prevent blood vessel clots |
| sublingual nitroglycerin | dilate coronary blood vessels, slow heart rate & put more force into heart contractions |
| Digoxin can control arrhythmias by | slowing heart rate & used to treat congestive heart failure by helping heart to pump more forcefully |
| improve the heart's performance, reduces workload & keeps blood vessels dilated | ACE inhibitors |
| ACE inhibitors prevent | angiotensin I from converting to the powerful vasoconstrictor angiotensin II |
| angiotensin II receptor antagonists lower blood pressure by | preventing angiotensin from acting on receptors in blood vessels |
| useful in treating angina, hypertension, arrhythmia, & following heart attack | beta blockers |
| by blocking the action of epinephrine, beta blockers | reduce blood pressure & decrease muscle tone in blood vessels & increase output of heart |
| Calcium is necessary for | blood vessel contraction |
| useful in treating angina and arrhythmias | calcium channel blockers |
| slowing response of heart muscle to nervous stimulation or slowing rate at which nervous system impulses are carried through heart | antiarrhythmics |
| hypercholesterolemia is a contributor to | heart disease |
| cholestyramine | cholesterol lowering drug; promot cholesterols' excretion into feces |
| statins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors | agents that reduce liver production of cholesterol |
| reduce blood volume by stimulating the kidney to remove water and salt through urine | diuretics |
| often administered either intranasally or by injection | bronchodialtors |
| Leukotriene modifiers prevent asthma attacks by | blocking bronchoconstrictor leukotriene from binding to respiratory tissue receptors |
| endogenous | naturally occuring |
| intended to mimic the actions of specific endogenous hormones | endocrine drugs |
| in women, they are helpful in treating endometriosis and breast cancer | androgens |
| androgens are | used for male hormone replacement therapy |
| used to ease symptoms of menopause & prevent osteoporosis associated with postmenopause | estrogens |
| flutamide | antiandrogen drug useful in treating prostate cancer |
| tamoxifen | antiestrogen used to prevent recurrence of breast cancer & treat metastatic breast cancer |
| bind to estrogen receptors in bones | SERMs |
| used in treatment of inflammation; arthritis; gastrointestinal, skin, respiratory, & blood disorders; & cancer | adrenal corticosteroids, or glucocorticoids |
| few are curative, most just relieve symptoms | gastrointestinal drugs |
| epigastric discomfort and the symptoms of peptic ulcer and esophagitis are usually treated with | antacids to neutralize stomach's hydrochloric acid |
| Cathartics can act by | increase intestinal salts, encouraging fluid to fill intestines/increase fecal bulk, prompting movement in intestinal wall |
| lubricate the intestinal tract and soften stools | cathartics |
| laxatives are | mild cathartics |
| purgatives are | strong cathartics |
| inner ear disturbances; vertigo, dizziness, motion sickness, or labyrinthitis | antiemetics aid in treatment |
| peptic ulcer disease (PUD) | treatment with ulcer drug, like Prevacid |
| Prevacid, or other anti-ulcer drugs promote healing by | blocking secretion of histamine, which stimulates secretion of gastric acid from lining of stomach |
| insomnia and other sleep disorders are treated with | sedatives & hypnotics |
| mild tranquilizers, like the benzodiazepines | control minor anxiety symptoms |
| major tranquilizers, like the phenothiazines | control more severe behavior disturbances and disorders |
| used to prevent narcolepsy, suppress appetite, and also to calm hyperkinetic children | amphetamines |
| used to inhibit hyperactive behaviors, particularly in children | stimulants |
| stimulants can be used in emergency situations to | cases of shock/collapse, quick interventions in brain to speed up vital processes in heart & respiratory system & increase alertness as well |
| feel better when they use relaxation therapy on a regular basis | asthma patients, as well as cancer patients |