Chapter 13 Principles of Pharmacology: Vital Vocabulary

Question 1

The early phase of cardiac repolarization, wherein the heart muscle cannot be stimulated to depolarize; also known as the effective refractory period.

Answer 1

absolute refractory period

Question 2

The process by which the molecules of a substance are moved from the site of entry or administration into systemic circulation.

Answer 2

absorption

Question 3

An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine

Answer 3

acetylcholinerase

Question 4

A medication that has undergone biotransformation and is able to alter a cellular process or body function

Answer 4

active metabolite

Question 5

The process of molecules binding with carrier proteins when energy is used to move the molecules against a concentration gradient

Answer 5

active transport

Question 6

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

Answer 6

adverse effect

Question 7

The ability of a medication to bind with a particular receptor site

Answer 7

affinity

Question 8

The group of medications that initiates or alters a cellular activity by attaching to receptor sites, prompting a cellular response

Answer 8

agonist medications

Question 9

The state of being insensible to pain while still conscious

Answer 9

analgesia

Question 10

An extreme systemic form of an allergic reaction involving two or more body systems

Answer 10

anaphylaxis

Question 11

A medication that causes the inability to feel sensation

Answer 11

anesthetic

Question 12

The group of medications that prevent endogenous or exogenous agonist chemicals from reaching cell receptor sites and initiating or altering a particular cellular activity

Answer 12

antagonist medications

Question 13

The medications used to fight infection by killing the microorganisms or preventing their multiplication to allow the body’s immune system to overcome them

Answer 13

antibiotics

Question 14

The medications used to treat fungal infections

Answer 14

antifungals

Question 15

The medications used to kill or suppress the growth of microorganisms

Answer 15

antimicrobials

Question 16

A state in which cardiac cells are at rest, waiting for the generation of a spontaneous impulse from within

Answer 16

automaticity

Question 17

The percentage of the unchanged medication that reaches systemic circulation

Answer 17

bioavailability

Question 18

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.

Answer 18

biotransformation

Question 19

Narrowing of the bronchial tubes

Answer 19

bronchoconstriction

Question 20

Widening of the bronchial tubes

Answer 20

bronchodilation

Question 21

Medications that bind with heavy metals in the body and create a compound that can be eliminated; used in cases of ingestion or poisoning

Answer 21

chelating agents

Question 22

A term used to describe the fibers in the parasympathetic nervous system that release a chemical called acetylcholine

Answer 22

cholinergic

Question 23

The grouping to which a medication belongs. Medications are grouped according to their characteristics, traits, or primary components

Answer 23

class

Question 24

Medications that temporarily bind with cellular receptor sites, displacing agonist chemicals.

Answer 24

competitive depolarizing

Question 25

Any condition, especially any condition of disease, that renders some particular line of treatment improper or undesirable.

Answer 25

contraindication

Question 26

A process in which repeated exposure to a medication within a particular class causes a tolerance that may be "transferred" to other medications in the same clas

Answer 26

cross-tolerance

Question 27

Several smaller doses of a particular medication capable of producing the same clinical effects as a single larger dose of that same medication

Answer 27

cumulative action

Question 28

A hemoprotein involved in the detoxification of many drugs

Answer 28

cytochrome P-450 system

Question 29

The physical, behavioral, or emotional need for a medication or chemical to maintain "normal" physiologic function

Answer 29

dependence

Question 30

The process of discharging resting cardiac muscle fibers by an electric impulse that causes them to contract

Answer 30

dopolarization

Question 31

A chemical or medication that decreases the performance of the central nervous system or sympathetic nervous system

Answer 31

depressant

Question 32

A drug used in the treatment of heart failure and certain atrial dysrhythmias

Answer 32

digitalis preparation

Question 33

The movement and transportation of a medication throughout the bloodstream to tissues and cells and, ultimately, to its target receptor

Answer 33

distribution

Question 34

A chemical that increases urinary output

Answer 34

diuretic

Question 35

A graphic illustration of the response of a drug according to the dose administered

Answer 35

dose-response curve

Question 36

The specified amount of a medication to be given at specific intervals

Answer 36

dosing

Question 37

The process in which a mechanism reducing available cell receptors for a particular medication results in tolerance

Answer 37

down-regulation

Question 38

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.

Answer 38

drug

Question 39

In a pharmacologic context, the time a medication concentration can e expected to remain above the minimum level needed to provide the intended action

Answer 39

duration (of action)

Question 40

Pertaining to voluntary muscle movements that are distorted or impaired because of abnormal muscle tone

Answer 40

dystonic

Question 41

Sites of generation of electrical impulses other than normal pacemaker cells

Answer 41

ectopic foci

Question 42

In a pharmacologic context, the ability of a medication to produce the desired effect

Answer 42

efficacy

Question 43

In a pharmacologic context, the removal of a medication or its by-products from the body

Answer 43

elimination

Question 44

Originating from within the organism (body)

Answer 44

endogenous

Question 45

Originating from outside the organism (body(

Answer 45

exogenous

Question 46

Seepage of blood and medication into the tissue surrounding the blood vessel

Answer 46

extravasation

Question 47

The process of medication molecules binding with carrier proteins when no energy is expanded

Answer 47

facilitated diffusion

Question 48

Brief, uncoordinated, visible twitching of small muscle groups; may be caused by the administration of a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent (namely, succinylcholine)

Answer 48

fasciculation

Question 49

Use of hydrostatic pressure to force water or dissolved particles through a semipermeable membrane

Answer 49

filtration

Question 50

The process in which the rate of elimination is directly influenced by plasma levels of a substance

Answer 50

first-order elimination

Question 51

The alteration of a medication via metabolism within the gastrointestinal tract before it reaches systemic circulation

Answer 51

first-pass effect

Question 52

The unusual tolerance to the therapeutic and adverse clinical effects of a medication or chemical

Answer 52

habituation

Question 53

The time needed in an average person for metabolism or elimination of 50% of a substance in the plasma

Answer 53

half-life

Question 54

The percentage of red blood cells by disruption of the cell membrane

Answer 54

hemolysis

Question 55

Attracted to water molecules

Answer 55

hydrophilic

Question 56

In a pharmacologic context, abnormal susceptibility to a medication, possibly due to genetic traits or dysfunction of a metabolic enzyme, that is peculiar to an individual patient (and usually unexplained)

Answer 56

idiosyncratic

Question 57

A medication that has undergone biotransformation and is no longer able to alter a cell process or body function; not pharmacologically active

Answer 57

inactive metabolite

Question 58

A circumstance that points to or shows the cause, pathology, treatment, or issue of an attack of disease; that which points out; that which serves as a guide or warning

Answer 58

indication

Question 59

One medication or chemical taken by a patient that undermines the effectiveness of another medication taken by or administered to a patient

Answer 59

interference

Question 60

Attracted to fats and lipids

Answer 60

lipophilic

Question 61

The way in which a medication produces the intended response

Answer 61

mechanism of action

Question 62

The weigh-based dose of a medication that was effective in 50% of the humans and animals tested

Answer 62

median effective dose (ED50)

Question 63

The weight-based dose of a medication that caused death in 50% of the animals tested

Answer 63

median lethal dose (LD50)

Question 64

The weight-based dose of a medication that demonstrated toxicity in 50% of animals tested

Answer 64

median toxic dose (TD50)

Question 65

A substance used to treat an illness or condition

Answer 65

medication

Question 66

A document that gives detailed information about drugs, such as the indications and uses, dosing information, precaution, contraindications, and adverse effects

Answer 66

medication monograph

Question 67

A mild to severe reaction after the first exposure to a medication or other substance , often with many of the same signs and symptoms as an immune-mediated reaction

Answer 67

medication sensitivity

Question 68

Medications that permanently bind with receptor sites and prevent activation by agonist chemicals

Answer 68

noncompetitive antagonists

Question 69

A term used to describe drugs that produce muscle relaxation by interfering with impulses between the nerve ending and muscle receptor

Answer 69

nondepolarizing

Question 70

Uncharged

Answer 70

nonionic

Question 71

The time needed for the concentration of the medication at the target tissue to reach the minimum effective level

Answer 71

onset

Question 72

A fall in blood pressure when changing to a standing position

Answer 72

orthostatic hypotension

Question 73

The movement of a solvent, such as water, from an area of low solute concentration to one of high concentration through a selectively permeable membrane to equalize concentrations of a solute on both sides of the membrane

Answer 73

osmosis

Question 74

Characterized by the movement of a solvent, such as water, across a semipermeable membrane (eg, the cell wall) from an area of lower solute concentration to one of higher concentration

Answer 74

osmotic

Question 75

Opposite from expected

Answer 75

paradoxical

Question 76

A chemical that binds to the receptor site but does not initiate as much cellular activity or change as other agonists do; lowers the efficacy of other agonist chemicals present at the cells

Answer 76

partial agonist

Question 77

In a pharmacologic context, the point of maximum effect of a drug

Answer 77

peak

Question 78

The biochemical and physiologic effects and mechanism of action of a medication in the body

Answer 78

pharmacodynamics

Question 79

The activity of medications in the body over time, such as absorption, distribution, and elimination

Answer 79

pharmacokinetics

Question 80

The scientific study of how various substances interact with or alter the function of living organisms

Answer 80

pharmacology

Question 81

A process by which cells ingest the extracellular fluid and it contents

Answer 81

pinocytosis

Question 82

In a pharmacologic context, the positive and negative effects of an inactive medication on a person that are related to the person's expectations and other factors

Answer 82

placebo effect

Question 83

A process in which medication molecules temporarily attach to proteins in the blood plasma, significantly altering medication distribution in the body

Answer 83

plasma protein binding

Question 84

The relationship between the desired response of a medication and the dose required to achieve the response

Answer 84

potency

Question 85

A specialized area in tissues that initiates certain actions after specific stimulation

Answer 85

receptor

Question 86

The period in the cell-firing cycle at which it is possible but difficult to restimulate the cell to fire another impulse

Answer 86

relative refractory period

Question 87

A severe, possibly fatal reaction that mimics a burn; may be due to a medication

Answer 87

Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Question 88

A medication or chemical that temporarily enhances central nervous system and sympathetic nervous system functioning

Answer 88

stimulant

Question 89

Medications administered to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system

Answer 89

sympathomimetics

Question 90

A condition in which repeated doses of medication within a short period rapidly cause tolerance, making the medication virtually ineffective

Answer 90

tachyphylaxis

Question 91

The relationship between the median effective dose and the median lethal dose or median toxic dose; also known as the therapeutic ratio

Answer 91

therapeutic index

Question 92

In a pharmacologic context, the concentration of medication at which initiation or alteration of cellular activity begins

Answer 92

threshold level

Question 93

A condition that develops following repeated use by a patient of a medication that results in decreased efficacy or potency

Answer 93

tolerance

Question 94

A clinical change caused by a medication that causes harm or discomfort to a patient; also known as adverse effect

Answer 94

untoward effect

Question 95

Narrowing of the diameter of a blood vessel

Answer 95

vasoconstriction

Question 96

Widening of the diameter of a blood vessel

Answer 96

vasodilation

Question 97

A classification scheme based on the mechanism of action rather than on specific medication groups

Answer 97

Vaughan-Williams classification

Question 98

The extent to which a medication will spread within the body

Answer 98

volume of distribution

Question 99

A property that indicates a material can be dissolved in water

Answer 99

water-soluble

Question 100

A process in which a fixed amount of a substance is removed during a certain period, regardless of the total amount in the body

Answer 100

zero-order elimination