ch12 (principles of pharmacology) Flashcards
pharmacology
the study of the properties and effects of medications
medication
a substance used to treat or prevent disease or relieve pain
pharmacodynamics
the process by which a medication works on the body
infarction
tissue death
agonist
a medication that causes stimulation of receptors
antagonist
medication that binds to a receptor and blocks other medications or chemicals from attaching
antibiotic
targets bacteria
antifungal
targets fungi
dose
the amount of medication that is given based on patient’s age and size
action
the therapeutic effect of medication on the body
pharmacokinetics
actions of the body upon the medication
(how it’s absorbed, distributed, changed, and eliminated)
onset of action
time from medication administration until clinical effects occur
duration
length of time that clinical effects last
elimination
how medications or chemicals are removed from the body
peak
period when the maximum clinical effect is achieved
indications
reasons or conditions for which a particular medication is given
contraindications
when a medication would harm the patient or have no positive effect on the patient’s condition
adverse effects
any unwanted clinical results of a medication
unintended effects
undesirable but pose little risk to the patient
(ex: slight headache)
untoward effects
can be harmful to the patient
generic name
original chemical name of a medication
(ex: ibuprofen; no capitalization)
trade name
brand name
(ex: Tylenol; capitalized)
prescription medications
distributed to patients only by pharmacists according to doctor’s orders
over-the-counter medications (OTC)
can be purchased directly without prescription
over-the-counter medications (OTC)
can be purchased directly without prescription
enteral medications
enter the body through the digestive system; medications are absorbed SLOWLY
antipyretics
fever-reducing medications
parenteral medications
enter the body by a route other than the digestive tract (ex: skin, mucous membranes)
-generally administered using needles
absorption
the process which medications travel through body tissues until they reach the bloodstream
per rectum (PR)
through the rectum
oral
medication taken by mouth
per os (PO)
enter the bloodstream through the digestive system; through the mouth
intravenous injection (IV)
into the vein; fastest way to deliver a chemical substance
intraosseous injection (IO)
into the bone; used in unconscious patients or children
subcutaneous injection
under the skin; medications are absorbed slowly this way
intramuscular injection (IM)
into the muscle; medications are absorbed quickly
inhalation
medications inhaled into the lungs so they can be absorbed into the bloodstream quickly
sublingual (SL)
under the tongue; absorbed into the bloodstream within minutes
transcutaneous
through the skin (ex: nicotine patches)
transcutaneous
through the skin (ex: nicotine patches)
intranasal (IN)
liquid medication through the nostril using an MAD; quick absorption
mucosal atomizer device (MAD)
a specialized device for intranasal medication administration
solution
liquid mixture of one or more substances that cannot be separated
suspension
substances that do not dissolve well in liquids
metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
spray canister used to direct substances through the mouth and into the lungs; usually used for patients with a respiratory illness (ex: asthma)
metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
spray canister used to direct substances through the mouth and into the lungs; usually used for patients with a respiratory illness (ex: asthma)
topical medications
applied to the surface of the skin and only affect that area (ex: lotions, creams, ointments)
gel
a semiliquid substance that is administered orally in capsule form or through plastic tubes
peer-assisted medication
when the EMT administers medication to himself or to a partner
patient-assistent medication
when the EMT assists the patient with the administration of his or her own medication
EMT-administered medication
administration of a medication by the EMT directly to the patient
hypoglycemia
low blood glucose level; can be caused by an excess of insulin
oral glucose
counteract the effects of hypoglycemia
aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA)
antipyretic (reduces fever), analgesic (reduces pain), and anti-inflammatory that inhibits platelet aggregation
nitroglycerin
used for patients with cardiac conditions; relaxes the muscular walls of the coronary arteries and veins
epinephrine
adrenaline; administered intramuscularly
-increases heart rate+blood pressure but also eases breathing
oxygen
heart and brain cannot function without this
polypharmacy
the use of multiple medications by one person
antiplatelet
medications that decrease the ability of blood platelets too aggregate
anticoagulant
impairs the ability of blood to clot
anti platelet and anticoagulant medications are prescribed to patients who…
are susceptible to dysfunctional blood clotting conditions
medication error
inappropriate use of a medication that could lead to patient harm
