chapter 10 general pharmacology
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36 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 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. charcoal is ground into a very fine powder that provides the greatest possible surface area for binding medications that have been taken by mouth; it is carried on the EMS unit |
| adsorption | the process of binding or sticking to a surface |
| aspirin | acetylsalicyclic acid, or ASA. a medication that is an antipyretic (reduces fever), analgesic (reduces pain), anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation), and potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation (clumping) |
| contraindications | conditions that make a particular medication or treatment inappropriate, for example, a condition in which a medication should not be given because it would not help or may actually harm a patient |
| dose | the amount of medication given on the basis of the patient's size and shape |
| epinephrine | a medication that increases heart rate and blood pressure but also eases breathing problems by decreasing muscle tone of the bronchiole tree; you may be allowed to help the patient self-administer the medication |
| gel | a semi-liquid substance that is administered orally in capsule form or through plastic tubes |
| generic name | the original chemical name of a medication (in contrast with one of its "trade names"); 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 (IM) injection | an injection into a muscle; a medication delivery route |
| intraosseous (IO) | into the bone; a medication delivery route |
| intravenous (IV) injection | an injection directly into a vein; a medication delivery route |
| metered-dose inhaler (MDI) | a miniature spray canister through which droplets or particles of medication may be inhaled |
| nitroglycerin | a medication that increases cardiac perfusion by causing arteries to dilate; you may be allowed to help the patient self-administer the medication |
| oral | by mouth; a medication delivery route |
| oral glucose | a simple sugar that is readily absorbed by the bloodstream; it is carried on the EMS unit |
| over-the-counter (OTC) medications | 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 oxygen |
| per os (PO) | through the mouth; a medication delivery route; same as oral |
| per rectum (PR) | through the rectum; a medication delivery route |
| pharmacology | the study of properties and effects of medications |
| polypharmacy | the use of multiple medications on a regular basis |
| prescription medications | medications that are distributed to patients only by pharmacists according to a physician's order |
| side effects | any effects of a medication other than the desired ones |
| solution | a liquid mixture that cannot be separated by filtering or allowing the mixture to stand |
| subcutaneous (SC) injection | injection into the tissue between the skin and muscle; a medication delivery route |
| sublingual (SL) | under the tongue; a medication delivery route |
| suspension | a mixture of ground particles that are distributed evenly throughout a liquid but do not dissolve |
| topical medications | lotions, creams, and ointments that are applied to the surface of the skin and affect only that area; a medication delivery route |
| trade name | the brand name that a manufacturer gives a medication; the name is capitalized |
| transcutaneous | through the skin; a medication delivery route |
| transdermal medications | medications that are designed to be absorbed through the skin (transcutaneously) |
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