| Term | Definition |
| absorption | the process by which medications travel through body tissues until they reach the bloodstream |
| action | the therapeutic effect of a medication on the body |
| activated charcoal | an oral medication that binds and adsorbs ingested toxins in the gastrointestinal tract for treatment of some poisonings and medication overdoses |
| adsorption | the process of binding or sticking to a surface]\ |
| agonist | a medication that causes stimulation of receptors |
| antagonist | a medication the binds to a receptor and blocks other medications |
| asprin | a medication that is an antipyretic, analgesic, anti inflammatory and a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation |
| contraindications | conditions that make a particular medication or treatment inappropriate because it would not help or may actually harm a patient |
| dose | the amount of medications given on the basis of the patietn's size and age |
| enteral medications | medications that enter the body through the digestive system |
| epinephrine | a medication that increases heart rate and blood pressure but also eases breathing problems by decreasing muscle tone of the bronchiole tree |
| gel | a semiliquid substance that is administered orally in capsule form or through plastic tubes |
| generic name | the original chemical name of a medication; the name is not capitalized |
| hypoglycemia | an abnormally low blood glucose level |
| indications | the therapeutic uses for a specific medication |
| inhalation | breathing into the lungs, a medication delivery route |
| intramuscular injucetion | an injection into a muscle; a medication delivery route |
| intranasal | a delivery route in which a medication is pushed through a specialized atomizer device called a mucosal atomizer device into the naris |
| intraosseous injection | an injection into the bone, a medication delivery route |
| inravenous injection | an injection directly into a vein, a medication delivery route |
| medication | a substance that is used to treat or prevent disease or relieve pain |
| medication error | inappropriate use of a medication that could lead to patient harm |
| metered dose inhaler | a miniature spray canister through which droplets or particles of medication may be inhaled |
| mucosal atomizer device | a device that is used to change a liquid medication into a spray and push it into a nostril |
| nitroglycerin | a medication that increases cardiac perfusion by causing blood vessels to dilate; EMTs may be allowed to assist the patient to self-administer the medication |
| oral | by mouth; a medication delivery route |
| oral glucose | a simple sugar that is readily absorbed by the bloodstream |
| OTC medication | medications that may be purchased directly by a patient without a prescription |
| oxygen | a gas that all cells need for metabolism; the heart and brain especially cannot function without it |
| parenteral medications | medications that enter the body by a route other tan t he digestive tract, skin or mucous membranes |
| per os | |
