Chapters 18-24

Question 1

Acetylcholine

Answer 1

A neurotransmitter in the somtaic and autonomic nervous systems; principal synapses using acetylcholine include the skeletal neuromuscular junction, autonomic ganglia, and certain pathways in the brain

Question 2

Adrenergic

Answer 2

Refers to synpases or physiological responses involving epinephrine and norepinephrine

Question 3

Beta-Receptor

Answer 3

A primary class of the receptors that are responsive to epinephrine and (to a lesser extent) norepinephrine. Beta-receptors are subclassified into beta-1 and beta-2 receptors based on their sensitivity to various drugs

Question 4

Cholinergic

Answer 4

Refers to synapses or physiological responses involving acetylcholine

Question 5

Norepinephrine

Answer 5

A neurotransmitter that is important in certain brain pathways and in the terminal synapses of the sympathetic nervous system (SYN: noradrenaline)

Question 6

Sympathetic

Answer 6

The sympathetic nervous system is one of the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system. “Fight or Flight”

Question 7

Parasympathetic

Answer 7

The parasympathetic nervous system is one of the two main divisions of the autonomic system. “Rest and Digest”

Question 8

Alpha-Receptor

Answer 8

A primary class of the receptors that are responsive to epinephrine and (to a lessor exent) norepinephring. Alpha receptors are subclassified into alpha-1 and alpha-2 receptors based on their sensitivity to various drugs

Question 9

Anticholinergics

Answer 9

Drugs that decrease activity at acetylcholine synapses. These agents are often used to diminish activity in the parasympathetic nervous system (SYN: parasympatholytic)

Question 10

Parkinson’s Disease

Answer 10

The clinical syndrome of bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor, and postural instability associated with neurotransmitter abnormalities (dopamine) within the basal ganglia

Question 11

Aldosterone

Answer 11

A steroid (mineralocorticoid) hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that acts on the kidney to increase sodium reabsorption, thereby retaining sodium in the body

Question 12

Angiogenesis

Answer 12

The development of new blood vessels. Drugs that inhibit this effect can be useful in limiting the growth and proliferation of certain tumors

Question 13

Hyperlipidemia

Answer 13

Involves abnormally elevated levels of any or all lipids and/or lipoproteins in the blood. It is the most common form of dyslipidemia (which includes any abnormal lipid levels)

Question 14

Hypertension

Answer 14

A pathological condition characterized by a sustained, reproducible increase in blood pressure

Question 15

Metabolic Syndrome

Answer 15

A condition characterized by insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abdominal obestity, and hyperlipidemia (SYN: Syndrome X)

Question 16

Orthostatic Hypotension

Answer 16

A sudden fall in blood pressure that occurs when the patient stands erect; this is a frequent side effect of many medications

Question 17

Sympatholytics

Answer 17

Drugs that inhibit or antagonize function within the sympathetic nervous system

Question 18

Angina Pectoris

Answer 18

Severe pain and contriction in the chest region, usually associated with myocardial ischemia

Question 19

Anticoagulation

Answer 19

A decrease in the blood’s capacity to coagulate (clot). Drugs with the ability to decrease coagulation are known as anticoagulants

Question 20

Arrhythmia

Answer 20

A significant deviation from normal cardiac rhythm that results in a heart rate that is slower or faster than normal, or irregulat (SYN: dysrhythmia)

Question 21

Congestive Heart Failure

Answer 21

A clinical syndrome of cardiac disease that is marked by decreased myocardial contractility, peripheral edema, SOB, and decreased tolerance for physical exertion

Question 22

Dopamine

Answer 22

A neurotransmitter located in the CNS that is important in motor control and in certain aspects of behavior. The presence of endogenous or exogenous dopamine in the periphery also affects cardiovascular function

Question 23

Inotropic

Answer 23

Refers to a substance that increases muscular contraction force (positive inotrope) or decreases contraction force (negative intotrope). Certain cardiac drugs are considered positive inotropes because they increase the force of cardiac contractions

Question 24

Phosphdiesterase (PDE)

Answer 24

An enzyme that breaks down phophodiester bonds in organic compounds. Certain phophodiesterases are important clinically because they break down second messengers such as cyclic AMP, and drugs that inhibit these enzymes prolong the effects of cyclic AMP in the lungs and other tissues.

Question 25

Fibrinolytics

Answer 25

Drugs which facilitate the breakdown and dissolution of clots that have already formed. These drugs work by converting plasminogen (profibrinolysin) to plasmin (fibrinolysin)

Question 26

Hemophilia

Answer 26

A hereditary disease in which an individual is unable to synthesize adequate amounts of a specific clotting factor

Question 27

Heostasis

Answer 27

The process of preventing blood loss from the circulation following injury to blood vessels (ANT: hemorrhage)

Question 28

Thrombus

Answer 28

A blood clot formed by the activation of fibrin and platelets. Excessive thrombus formation (thrombosis) can be controlled by drugs that affect various aspects of the clotting mechanisms

Question 29

Hyperlipidemia

Answer 29

A chronic and excessive increase in plasma lipids in the blood.