Chapter 2: Basics of Pharmacology (Key Terms)

Question 1

Absorption

Answer 1

passage of a substance through some surface of the body into body fluids and tissues

Question 2

Adverse reaction

Answer 2

undesired side effects or toxicity caused by a treatment

Question 3

Agonist

Answer 3

drug that binds to the receptor and stimulates the receptor’s function

Question 4

Antagonist

Answer 4

that which counteracts the action of something else, such as a muscle or drug

Question 5

Biotransformation

Answer 5

chemical alteration that a substance undergoes in the body

Question 6

Distribution

Answer 6

dividing and spreading of a medication to a target organ

Question 7

Excretion

Answer 7

elimination of waste products from the body

Question 8

Half-life

Answer 8

the length of time required for the concentration of a drug to decrease by one-half in the plasma

Question 9

Idiosyncratic

Answer 9

relating to idiosyncrasy; how a person differs from another

Question 10

Pharmacokinetics

Answer 10

study of metabolism and action of drugs with particular emphasis on the time required for absorption, duration of action, distribution in the body, and method of excretion

Question 11

Receptors

Answer 11

sites where medication binds to create a physiological effect

Question 12

Side effects

Answer 12

any action or effect other than that intended

Question 13

Synergism

Answer 13

action of two or more agents or organs working with each other

Question 14

Teratogenic

Answer 14

literally, creating a monster; anything that adversely affects normal cellular development in the embryo or fetus

Question 15

Toxic

Answer 15

pertaining to, resembling, or caused by poison

Question 16

Metabolism

Answer 16

breaking down into its constituents