Common Medical Terms Flashcards
Absorption
the movement of a drug from a delivery medium (e.g. tablet, capsule, transdermal patch) into the bloodstream
Acute
a sudden or rapidly occurring symptom or condition, usually of an urgent nature
Opposite of chronic
ADME
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Elimination
which is the order by which drugs enter and exit the body
Adrenal Gland
an anatomical structure located above each kidney that secretes several hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine
Adrenergic
pertaining to neurons that release epinephrine or norepinephrine. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are associated with the fight or flight response
Agonist
a substance that stimulates an action
For example, adrenaline (or epinephrine) is an alpha and beta-receptor agonist. By stimulating these receptors, adrenaline elevates heart rate and blood pressure
Analgesic
a drug that reduces pain
Anaphylaxis
a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
Anesthetic
a drug that induces partial or complete loss of sensation
Angina
severe chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
a key catalyst in the body that is involved in the production and release of blood pressure-raising hormones
Antacid
a drug that neutralizes stomach acid
Antagonist
a drug that opposes an action
For example, metoprolol is a beta-receptor antagonist (beta blocker). Metoprolol interferes with the stimulation of beta-receptors, thereby opposing increases in heart rate and blood pressure
Antiarrhythmic
a drug that treats or prevents cardiac arrhythmias
Antibiotic
a drug that kills or opposes the reproduction of microorganisms
Anticholinergic
a drug that opposes parasympathetic nervous system activity. The parasympathetic nervous system is associated with rest and digestion
Anticoagulant
a drug that treats or prevents blood clots
Anticonvulsant
a substance or medication that prevents or treats seizures
Antidepressant
a drug that treats or prevents mental depression
Antidiabetic
a drug that lowers blood sugar levels
Antidiarrheal
a drug that treats or prevents diarrhea
Antidote
a drug that neutralizes a poison or opposes the effect of a poison
Antiemetic
a drug that treats or prevents nausea and vomiting
Antiepileptic
a drug that treats or prevents epilepsy or seizures. Often used synonymously with the terms “anticonvulsant”
Antifungal
a drug that kills or interferes with the reproduction of fungi
Antihistamine
prevents the release or blocks the action of histamine, a mediator of allergic reactions, stomach acid production, and mental alertness/wakefulness
Antiplatelet
a drug that opposes the activity of platelets. Platelets play a major role in blood clot formation
Antipsychotic
a drug that treats or prevents psychosis (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
Antipyretic
a drug that reduces fever
Antitussive
a drug that suppresses a cough
Antiviral
a drug that treats viral infections
Arteries
blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the organs
Atherosclerosis
hardening and occlusion of arteries caused by the build-up of calcium and cholesterol
Atrial Fibrillation
a type of cardiac arrhythmia in which a specific area of the heart (the right atrium) receives irregular electrical impulses from the nervous system, causing a rapid, irregular heartbeat. This irregular heartbeat can cause blood clots capable of traveling to the brain and causing strokes
Abbreviations include “AF” and “A-fib”
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
non-cancerous growth/enlargement of the prostate gland. The enlarged prostate presses against the urethra, blocking the outflow of urine
Blood Glucose
a measure of the concentration of glucose (sugar) in the blood
High blood glucose is a sign of diabetes
Blood Clot
a mass of coagulated blood capable of blocking blood flow
Bradycardia
below normal heart beat
Normal resting heart rate is 60-90 beats per minute
Cardiac Arrhythmia
any condition in which the heart beats irregularly (e.g. beats off rhythm, beats too fast, beats too slow)
Cardiovascular System
an organ system composed of the heart and the blood vessels (arteries and veins)
Ceiling Effect
a phenomenon where the therapeutic effect increases only up to a certain point (the “ceiling”). Higher doses impart no additional benefit, causing additional side effects without increasing the therapeutic effect
Cholesterol
a fatty substance the body uses to produce hormones and cell walls. Excess cholesterol accumulates in arterial blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis and increasing the risk of a heart attack
Cholinergic
a drug that produces or mimics the effects of acetylcholine
Chronic
a symptom or condition that worsens slowly over time, sometimes progressing undetected
The opposite of acute
Contraceptive
a drug or device that prevents conception/pregnancy
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, typically caused by atherosclerosis
Corticosteroid
an anti-inflammatory drug that mimics the hormone “cortisol” which is produces by the adrenal gland
Examples include hydrocortisone and prednisone
Decongestant
a drug that reduces nasal congestion
Depressant
a drug that decreases nerve activity, potentially to the point of sedation
Diuresis
increased urine production. Diuretic drugs (loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics, and potassium-sparing diuretics) work by inducing diuresis
Edema
swelling
Treatment for edema usually involves a loop diuretic
Electrolytes
electrically charged minerals
Examples include potassium, calcium, and sodium. Electrolytes are essential for normal body function (e.g. muscle contraction and nerve function)
Elimination
the physiologic removal of a product from the body. In many cases, the lover metabolizes and deactivates a drug and then the kidneys transfer the waste product into the urine for elimination
Embolism
obstruction of a blood vessel by some form of debris or a foreign body
For example, a blood clot, a mass of cholesterol, or an air bubble
Emesis
vomiting
Enzyme
a catalyst for a chemical reaction. The body naturally produces certain enzymes
Epistaxis
nosebleed
Expectorant
a drug that thins mucus, making it easier to expel/cough up
Glaucoma
a disease characterized by increased intraocular pressure
Gout
a disease characterized by severe joint pain and inflammation
Heart Failure
a condition in which the heart is unable to pump forcefully or effectively enough to meet the needs of the body
Hepatic
pertaining to the liver
Histamine
a substance produced within the body that, when released, elicits symptoms associated with allergic reactions, such as a runny nose, itchy/watery eyes, and rashes. Histamine also plays a role in stomach acid production and mental alertness/wakefulness
HMG-CoA Reductase
the key enzyme involved in hepatic cholesterol production
Hormone
a substance produced by the body to regulate or stimulate certain physiologic functions
Examples of hormones include insulin, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
Hyperglycemia
abnormally high level of glucose in the blood
Hyperkalemia
abnormally high level of potassium in the blood
Hypertension
high blood pressure
Hyperuricemia
abnormally high uric acid levels in the blood
Hypoglycemia
abnormally low level of glucose in the blood
Hypokalemia
abnormally low level of potassium in the blood
Hypotension
low blood pressure
Indication
a use for a drug
a condition or symptom for which a drug is effective in treating
For example, hypertension is an indication for lisinopril
Lacrimation
the production of tears
Lipids
fats
Metabolism
the body’s natural process of chemically altering or breaking down a substance (e.g. a drug) with the goal of removing the substance from the body
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
an event in which a portion of heart muscle tissue dies due to occlusion on the coronary artery
Nephron
the most basic unit of the kidney
Diuretic drugs work by modulating electrolyte exchange at certain locations in the nephron
For example, loop diuretics prevent sodium from being re-absorbed from the Loop of Henle (a segment of the nephron)
Neuron
a nerve cell
the most basic unit of the of the nervous system
Neurotransmitter
a substance released by neurons to manage nervous system-mediated functions
One example is serotonin, which helps manage behavior and mood
Nitric Oxide
a chemical in the body that causes blood vessels to dilate/expand
Nonproductive Cough
dry cough
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
medications that work similar to corticosteroids, reducing pain and swelling caused by inflammation
Off-Label
a term that describes uses for a drug that are not FDA-approved
Osmosis
the process by which water naturally crosses a semipermeable membrane from the side with low solute concentration to the side with a high solute concentration in an attempt to equalize the solute concentration on each side of the membrane
Parenteral
administered by a route other than the gastrointestinal tract
Peripheral Neuropathy
tingling or pain in the extremities caused by nerve damage
Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5)
a key enzyme involved in the breakdown of nitric oxide
Photosensitivity
increased sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in a predisposition to sunburn
Polyuria
excessive urine production
Pregnancy Category
a rating that summarizes the risk of using of a particular drug during pregnancy
The pregnancy categories are A, B, C, D, and X, where A is the least likely to cause birth defects, and X is the most likely to cause birth defects. Pregnant women should never use a drug with a pregnancy category X rating
The use of a pregnancy category A, B, C, or D drug during pregnancy may be appropriate if the benefits outweigh the risks
Priapism
a painful, prolonged erection
Prophylaxis
a measure or action taken to prevent disease
synonymous with “prevention”
Prostaglandins
a group of chemicals naturally produced and released within the body for various functions, including the promotion of inflammation
QT Interval
the time between the Q-wave and T-wave on an electrocardiogram
Some drugs can prolong the QT interval, potentially causing life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias
Renal
pertaining to the kidney (e.g. renal failure and kidney failure are synonymous)
The kidneys function as a filtration system for blood
Sedative-Hypnotic
a drug that induces sleep
also referred to as tranquilizer
Serotonin Syndrome
a condition caused by excessive stimulation of serotonin receptors
Side Effects
the undesired effects/consequences of medication use
Solute
a drug that is dissolved in a solution
Solution
the liquid that contains a dissolved drug
a homogeneous mixture composed of a solute and a solvent
Solvent
the liquid part of a solution in which the solute is dissolved
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
a disease characterized by fever and severe skin rashes involving the mouth, eyes, and mucous membranes
Stimulant
a drug that increases nerve activity
Stroke
an event in which an area of the brain dies due to insufficient blood flow
Sulfa Allergy
an allergy to the class of antibiotics known as the sulfonamides
Symptom
a sign that indicates the presence of a medical condition, disease, or disorder
For example, a sore throat, nasal congestion, mild fever, sneezing, and cough are all symptoms of the common cold
Syncope
pass out
faint
Tachycardia
abnormally rapid resting heart rate
Normal resting heart rate is 60-90 bpm
Tolerance
decreased sensitivity to a drug
the acquired capacity to endure large doses with minimal effects
Vasoconstrictor
a drug that causes contraction/narrowing of a blood vessel, decreasing the volume of blood flowing through the vessel and increasing blood pressure
Vasodilator
a drug that causes expansion/relaxation of a blood vessel, which increases the volume of blood flowing through the vessel and decreases blood pressure
Veins
blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the organs back to the heart
Wirhdrawal
response to discontinuation of a drug to which a person has become physically or psychologically dependent
