Common Terminology Flashcards
Admixture
Substance produced by mixing two or more substances.
Active Ingredient
Chemical found in the medication known or believed to have a therapeutic effect.
Aerosol
Medication dosage form thy contains a gaseous substance consisting of fine liquid or solid particles.
Capsule
Solid dosage form of a medication usually made of gelatin which holds fine particles of a solid or liquid particles.
Chewable Tablet
Chewed instead of swallowed whole.
Compound
Substance made from a combination of two or more substances.
Cream
Dosage form of a medication that is a semisolid preparation usually applied externally to soothe, lubricate or protect.
Effervescent Tablet
Tablet that is dissolved into a liquid before administration.
Elixir
Liquid dosage form that contains flavored water and alcohol mixtures.
Emulsion
Liquid dosage dorm of a mixture of two products that normally do not mix together.
Inactive Ingredients
Remaining ingredients other than the active ingredient that are found in a drug; used to flavor, color and bind the whole substance.
Lotion
Liquid dosage form that contains a powdered substance in a suspension used externally to sooth, cool, dry and protect.
Ointment
Semisolid dosage form that is applied externally to deliver medication, lubricant and protect.
Patch
Dosage form where medication is delivered through a solid application and applied to the skin and absorbed into the bloodstream.
Solution
Liquid dosage form in which the medication is completely dissolved in a liquid.
Suppository
Administration through the vagina or rectum of a solid medication.
Suspension
Liquid dosage form in which the solid particles are not completely dissolved.
Syrup
Liquid dosage form that consists of water and sugar mixed with the medication.
Tablet
Solid dosage form in which the ingredients are compacted into a small, formed shape.
Amphetamines
Substances frequently abused as a stimulant medication; can’t be used to treat eating disorders and narcolepsy.
Analgesic
Substance used to relieve acute or chronic pain.
Anti-anxiety
Substances used to reduce or relieve anxiety.
Anti-biotic
Substance that is used to kill or stop the growth of bacteria in the body.
Anti-cholinergic
Substance that inhibits hypersection and GI motility.
Anti-coagulant
Substance that stops blood clotting.
Anti-convulsant
Substance that stops brain nerve firing to suppress convulsive seizures.
Anti-depressant
Substance that helps maintain proper hormone balance levels to decrease depressive moods.
Anti-diarrheal
Relieves and decreases GI activity that produces diarrhea.
Anti-emetic
Relieves nausea and vomiting.
Anti-fungal
Substance that kills fungus growing in the body.
Anti-histamine
Substance that stops the effects of histamine release that causes sneezing, watery eyes and congestion.
Anti-hypertensive
Substances that work to lower blood pressure.
Anti-inflammatory
Substances that reduce and relieve inflammation.
Anti-neoplastic
Substances that are used to kill cancer cells.
Anti-pyretic
Substances that relieve and lower high fever.
Anti-spasmodic
Substance that relives stomach muscle spasms.
Anti-tussive
Substances that relieve severe cough.
Anti-viral
Refers to drugs that fight viral infections in the body.
Bronchodilator
Substance that relaxes the bronchial smooth muscles in the respiratory system.
Corticosteroids
Substances used to prevent minor asthma attacks or to treat severe attacks.
Decongestant
Substance that shrinks the mucous membranes that produce congestion.
Diuretic
Substance that increases the water output in the kidneys; reduces water retention in body.
Expectorant
Substances that remove mucous from the upper respiratory system.
Histamine (H2) Blocker
Reduces acid secretion by blocking histamine from reaching the H2 receptors.
Hypnotic
Substance that relaxes the central nervous system to produce sleep.
Muscle relaxant
Used to treat involuntary, painful contractions of muscles by slowing the passages of nerve signals that cause pain.
Narcotic
Drug that is potentially highly abused as a pain reliever causing dependency and tolerance.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. (NSAIDS)
Substances that inhibit the production of the enzymes necessary for the synthesis of prostaglandins, reducing pain and inflammation.
Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)
Substances that reduce gastric acid buildup by blocking the release of protons by proton pumps.
Sedative
Relieves anxiety and tension; calms and relaxed.
Stimulant
Class of medications that are intended to increase alerted and physical activity.
Vasodilator
Substance that causes the blood vessels to widen.
Angina Pectoris
Condition characterized by the attack of chest pain caused by an insufficient supply of oxygen to the heart.
Arrhythmia
Irregular heartbeat.
Arteriosclerosis
Thickening and hardening of the arteries.
Arthritis
Inflammation of the joints.
Asthma
Affects a person’s breathing by restricting the airways and oxygen supply by inflammation, swelling and irritation.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Mental disorder characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of attention, concentration, activity, distractibility and impulsivity.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Mental disorder characterized by constant impulsive behavior, difficulty concentrating and hyperactivity that decreases social, academic or occupational functioning.
Bronchitis
Acute inflammation of bronchial tubes in lungs.
Cardiovascular Disease
Conditions of the heart and circulatory system.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Potentially fatal condition of the cardiovascular system where the heart has lost the ability to pump blood.
Dementia
Disease characterized by progressive memory loss as well as learning and thinking disorders; typically leads to Alzheimer’s disease.
Diabetes
Disease caused by failure of the body to produce insulin which is essential for digestion and retrieving energy from food.
Edema
Abnormal swelling of the body caused by an increased build-up of fluids in tissues and organs.
Emphysema
Irreversible disease where severe damage to the alveoli in the lungs resulting in a decrease in the exchange of gases; causes wheezing, coughing, SOB and difficult breathing.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Condition where food not digested is forced back up the esophagus; food is acidic and irritates the esophagus causing heartburn and other symptoms.
Hemorrhage
Severe, uncontrollable bleeding; external or internal.
Hyperlipidemia
High cholesterol.
Hypertension
Long term high blood pressure.
Inflammation
Redness, swelling, pain or heat in a body tissue caused by physical injury, infection or injury.
Nausea
Feeling of sickness to stomach, usually causing urge to vomit.
Osteoporosis
Medical disease of lost bone density by calcium deficiency, menopause.
Spasm
Involuntary muscle contraction.
Virus
Very small infectious organism that require a living cell to reproduce.
