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Pharm Tech > Common Medical Terms > Flashcards

Common Medical Terms Flashcards

1
Q

Absorption

A

the movement of a drug from a delivery medium (e.g. tablet, capsule, transdermal patch) into the bloodstream

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2
Q

Acute

A

a sudden or rapidly occurring symptom or condition, usually of an urgent nature
Opposite of chronic

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3
Q

ADME

A

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Elimination

which is the order by which drugs enter and exit the body

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4
Q

Adrenal Gland

A

an anatomical structure located above each kidney that secretes several hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine

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5
Q

Adrenergic

A

pertaining to neurons that release epinephrine or norepinephrine. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are associated with the fight or flight response

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6
Q

Agonist

A

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

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7
Q

Analgesic

A

a drug that reduces pain

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8
Q

Anaphylaxis

A

a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction

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9
Q

Anesthetic

A

a drug that induces partial or complete loss of sensation

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10
Q

Angina

A

severe chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart

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11
Q

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme

A

a key catalyst in the body that is involved in the production and release of blood pressure-raising hormones

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12
Q

Antacid

A

a drug that neutralizes stomach acid

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13
Q

Antagonist

A

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

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14
Q

Antiarrhythmic

A

a drug that treats or prevents cardiac arrhythmias

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15
Q

Antibiotic

A

a drug that kills or opposes the reproduction of microorganisms

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16
Q

Anticholinergic

A

a drug that opposes parasympathetic nervous system activity. The parasympathetic nervous system is associated with rest and digestion

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17
Q

Anticoagulant

A

a drug that treats or prevents blood clots

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18
Q

Anticonvulsant

A

a substance or medication that prevents or treats seizures

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19
Q

Antidepressant

A

a drug that treats or prevents mental depression

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20
Q

Antidiabetic

A

a drug that lowers blood sugar levels

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21
Q

Antidiarrheal

A

a drug that treats or prevents diarrhea

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22
Q

Antidote

A

a drug that neutralizes a poison or opposes the effect of a poison

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23
Q

Antiemetic

A

a drug that treats or prevents nausea and vomiting

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24
Q

Antiepileptic

A

a drug that treats or prevents epilepsy or seizures. Often used synonymously with the terms “anticonvulsant”

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25
Q

Antifungal

A

a drug that kills or interferes with the reproduction of fungi

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26
Q

Antihistamine

A

prevents the release or blocks the action of histamine, a mediator of allergic reactions, stomach acid production, and mental alertness/wakefulness

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27
Q

Antiplatelet

A

a drug that opposes the activity of platelets. Platelets play a major role in blood clot formation

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28
Q

Antipsychotic

A

a drug that treats or prevents psychosis (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)

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29
Q

Antipyretic

A

a drug that reduces fever

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30
Q

Antitussive

A

a drug that suppresses a cough

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31
Q

Antiviral

A

a drug that treats viral infections

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32
Q

Arteries

A

blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the organs

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33
Q

Atherosclerosis

A

hardening and occlusion of arteries caused by the build-up of calcium and cholesterol

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34
Q

Atrial Fibrillation

A

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”

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35
Q

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

A

non-cancerous growth/enlargement of the prostate gland. The enlarged prostate presses against the urethra, blocking the outflow of urine

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36
Q

Blood Glucose

A

a measure of the concentration of glucose (sugar) in the blood
High blood glucose is a sign of diabetes

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37
Q

Blood Clot

A

a mass of coagulated blood capable of blocking blood flow

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38
Q

Bradycardia

A

below normal heart beat

Normal resting heart rate is 60-90 beats per minute

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39
Q

Cardiac Arrhythmia

A

any condition in which the heart beats irregularly (e.g. beats off rhythm, beats too fast, beats too slow)

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40
Q

Cardiovascular System

A

an organ system composed of the heart and the blood vessels (arteries and veins)

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41
Q

Ceiling Effect

A

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

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42
Q

Cholesterol

A

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

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43
Q

Cholinergic

A

a drug that produces or mimics the effects of acetylcholine

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44
Q

Chronic

A

a symptom or condition that worsens slowly over time, sometimes progressing undetected
The opposite of acute

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45
Q

Contraceptive

A

a drug or device that prevents conception/pregnancy

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46
Q

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

A

narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, typically caused by atherosclerosis

47
Q

Corticosteroid

A

an anti-inflammatory drug that mimics the hormone “cortisol” which is produces by the adrenal gland
Examples include hydrocortisone and prednisone

48
Q

Decongestant

A

a drug that reduces nasal congestion

49
Q

Depressant

A

a drug that decreases nerve activity, potentially to the point of sedation

50
Q

Diuresis

A

increased urine production. Diuretic drugs (loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics, and potassium-sparing diuretics) work by inducing diuresis

51
Q

Edema

A

swelling

Treatment for edema usually involves a loop diuretic

52
Q

Electrolytes

A

electrically charged minerals
Examples include potassium, calcium, and sodium. Electrolytes are essential for normal body function (e.g. muscle contraction and nerve function)

53
Q

Elimination

A

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

54
Q

Embolism

A

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

55
Q

Emesis

A

vomiting

56
Q

Enzyme

A

a catalyst for a chemical reaction. The body naturally produces certain enzymes

57
Q

Epistaxis

A

nosebleed

58
Q

Expectorant

A

a drug that thins mucus, making it easier to expel/cough up

59
Q

Glaucoma

A

a disease characterized by increased intraocular pressure

60
Q

Gout

A

a disease characterized by severe joint pain and inflammation

61
Q

Heart Failure

A

a condition in which the heart is unable to pump forcefully or effectively enough to meet the needs of the body

62
Q

Hepatic

A

pertaining to the liver

63
Q

Histamine

A

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

64
Q

HMG-CoA Reductase

A

the key enzyme involved in hepatic cholesterol production

65
Q

Hormone

A

a substance produced by the body to regulate or stimulate certain physiologic functions
Examples of hormones include insulin, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone

66
Q

Hyperglycemia

A

abnormally high level of glucose in the blood

67
Q

Hyperkalemia

A

abnormally high level of potassium in the blood

68
Q

Hypertension

A

high blood pressure

69
Q

Hyperuricemia

A

abnormally high uric acid levels in the blood

70
Q

Hypoglycemia

A

abnormally low level of glucose in the blood

71
Q

Hypokalemia

A

abnormally low level of potassium in the blood

72
Q

Hypotension

A

low blood pressure

73
Q

Indication

A

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

74
Q

Lacrimation

A

the production of tears

75
Q

Lipids

A

fats

76
Q

Metabolism

A

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

77
Q

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

A

an event in which a portion of heart muscle tissue dies due to occlusion on the coronary artery

78
Q

Nephron

A

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)

79
Q

Neuron

A

a nerve cell

the most basic unit of the of the nervous system

80
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

a substance released by neurons to manage nervous system-mediated functions
One example is serotonin, which helps manage behavior and mood

81
Q

Nitric Oxide

A

a chemical in the body that causes blood vessels to dilate/expand

82
Q

Nonproductive Cough

A

dry cough

83
Q

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

A

medications that work similar to corticosteroids, reducing pain and swelling caused by inflammation

84
Q

Off-Label

A

a term that describes uses for a drug that are not FDA-approved

85
Q

Osmosis

A

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

86
Q

Parenteral

A

administered by a route other than the gastrointestinal tract

87
Q

Peripheral Neuropathy

A

tingling or pain in the extremities caused by nerve damage

88
Q

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5)

A

a key enzyme involved in the breakdown of nitric oxide

89
Q

Photosensitivity

A

increased sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in a predisposition to sunburn

90
Q

Polyuria

A

excessive urine production

91
Q

Pregnancy Category

A

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

92
Q

Priapism

A

a painful, prolonged erection

93
Q

Prophylaxis

A

a measure or action taken to prevent disease

synonymous with “prevention”

94
Q

Prostaglandins

A

a group of chemicals naturally produced and released within the body for various functions, including the promotion of inflammation

95
Q

QT Interval

A

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

96
Q

Renal

A

pertaining to the kidney (e.g. renal failure and kidney failure are synonymous)
The kidneys function as a filtration system for blood

97
Q

Sedative-Hypnotic

A

a drug that induces sleep

also referred to as tranquilizer

98
Q

Serotonin Syndrome

A

a condition caused by excessive stimulation of serotonin receptors

99
Q

Side Effects

A

the undesired effects/consequences of medication use

100
Q

Solute

A

a drug that is dissolved in a solution

101
Q

Solution

A

the liquid that contains a dissolved drug

a homogeneous mixture composed of a solute and a solvent

102
Q

Solvent

A

the liquid part of a solution in which the solute is dissolved

103
Q

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)

A

a disease characterized by fever and severe skin rashes involving the mouth, eyes, and mucous membranes

104
Q

Stimulant

A

a drug that increases nerve activity

105
Q

Stroke

A

an event in which an area of the brain dies due to insufficient blood flow

106
Q

Sulfa Allergy

A

an allergy to the class of antibiotics known as the sulfonamides

107
Q

Symptom

A

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

108
Q

Syncope

A

pass out

faint

109
Q

Tachycardia

A

abnormally rapid resting heart rate

Normal resting heart rate is 60-90 bpm

110
Q

Tolerance

A

decreased sensitivity to a drug

the acquired capacity to endure large doses with minimal effects

111
Q

Vasoconstrictor

A

a drug that causes contraction/narrowing of a blood vessel, decreasing the volume of blood flowing through the vessel and increasing blood pressure

112
Q

Vasodilator

A

a drug that causes expansion/relaxation of a blood vessel, which increases the volume of blood flowing through the vessel and decreases blood pressure

113
Q

Veins

A

blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the organs back to the heart

114
Q

Wirhdrawal

A

response to discontinuation of a drug to which a person has become physically or psychologically dependent

Pharm Tech (5 decks)

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