Ch. 13 Principles Of Pharmacology Flashcards
Absolute refractory period
The early phase of cardiac depolarization, wherein the heart muscle cannot be stimulated to depolarize; also known as the effective refractory period.
Absorption
The process by which the molecules of a substance are moved from the site of entry or administration into systemic circulation
Acetylcholinesterase
An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine
Active metabolite
A medication that has undergone bio transformation and is able to alter a cellular process or body function
active transport
The process of molecules binding with carrier proteins when energy is used to move molecules against a concentration gradient
Adverse effect
Abnormal or harmful effect to an organism caused by exposure to a chemical. It is indicated by some result such as death, a change in food or water consumption, altered body and organ weights, altered enzyme levels, or visible illness.
Affinity
The ability of a medication to bind with a particular receptor site.
Agonist medications
The group of medications that initiates or alters a cellular activity by attaching to receptor sites, prompting a cellular response.
Analgesia
The state of being insensible to pain while still conscious
Anaphylaxis
An extreme systemic form of an allergic reaction involving two or more body systems
A form of shock
Anesthetic
A medication that causes the inability to feel sensation
Antagonist medication
The group of medications that prevent endogenous or exogenous agonist chemicals from reaching cell receptor sites and initiating or altering a particular cellular activity
Antibiotics
The medications used to fight infection by killing the microorganisms or preventing their multiplication to allow the body’s immune system to overcome them.
Anti fun gals
The medications used to treat fungal infections
Antimicrobials
The medications used to kill or suppress the growth of microorganisms
Automaticity
A state in which cardiac cells are at rest, waiting for the generation of a spontaneous impulse from within
Bioavailability
The percentage of the unchanged medication that reaches systemic circulation
Bio transformation
A process with four possible effects on a medication absorbed into the body.
1- an inactive substance can become active, capable of producing desired or unwanted clinical effects
2- an active medication can be changed into another active medication.
3- an active medication may be completely or partially inactivated.
4- a medication is transformed into a substance ( active or inactive) that is easier for the body to eliminate
Bronchoconstriction
Narrowing of the bronchial tubes
Bronchodilation
Widening of the bronchial tubes
Chelating agents
Medications that bind with heavy metals in the body and create a compound that can be eliminated; used in cases of ingestion or poisoning
Cholinergic
A term used to describe the fibers in the parasympathetic nervous system that releases a chemical called acetylcholine
Class
The grouping to which a education belongs.
Medications are grouped according to their characteristics, traits, or primary components
Competitive agonists
Medications that temporarily bind with cellular receptor sites, displacing agonist chemicals.
Competitive depolarizing
A term used to describe paralytic agents that act at the neuromuscular junction by binding with nicotinic receptors on muscles, causing fasciculations and preventing additional activation by acetylcholine
Contraindications
Any condition, especially Any condition of disease, that renders some particular line of treatment improper or undesirable
Cross tolerance
A process in which repeated exposure to a medication within a particular class causes tolerance that may be “transferred” to other medications in the same class
Cumulative action
Several smaller doses of a particular medication capable of producing the same clinical effects as a single layer dose of that same medication
Cytochrome P-450 system
A hemoprotein involved in the detoxification of many drugs.
Dependence
The physical, behavioral, or emotional need for a medication or chemical to maintain “normal” physiologic functions.
Depolarization
The process of discharging resting cardiac muscle fibers by an electric impulse that causes them to contract
Depressant
A chemical or medication that decreases the performance of the central nervous system or sympathetic nervous system.
Digitalis preparation
A drug used in the treatment of heart failure and certain atrial dysrhythmias
Distribution
The movement and transportation of a medication throughout the bloodstream to tissues and cells and, ultimately, to its target receptors
Diuretic
A chemical that increases urinary output
Dose-response curve
A graphic illustration of the response of a drug according to the dose administered
Dosing
The specified amount of a medication to be given at specific intervals.
Down-regulation
The process in which a mechanism reducing available cell receptors for a particular medication results in tolerance.
Drug
A substance that has some therapeutic effect (such as reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, or producing euphoria) when given in the appropriate circumstances and in the appropriate dose
Duration (of action)
In a pharmacological context, the time a medication concentration can be expected to remain above the minimum level needed to provide the intended action
Dystonic
Pertaining to voluntary muscle movements that are distorted or impaired because of abnormal muscle tone.
Ectopic foci
Sites of generation of electrical impulses other than normal pacemaker cells.
Efficacy
In a pharmacologic context, the ability of a medication to produce the desired effect.
Elimination
In a pharmacologic context, the removal of a medication or its by products from the body.
Endogenous
Originating from within the organism (body).
Exogenous
Originating outside the organism (body)
Extravasation
Seepage of blood and medication into the tissue surrounding the blood vessel.
Facilitated diffusion
The process of medication molecules binding with carrier proteins when no energy is expended
Fasciculation
Brief, uncoordinated, visible twitching of small muscle groups; may be caused by the administration of a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent (namely, succinylcholine)
Filtration
Use of hydrostatic pressure to force water or dissolved particles through a semipermeable membrane
First order elimination
The process in which the rate of elimination is directly influenced by plasma levels of a substance.