Key Terms Flashcards
Angina
chest pain resulting from restricted blood flow to the heart
Hypokalemia
low potassium
Absorption
movement of drugs from a delivery medium 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 (how drugs enter and exit the body)
adrenal glands
Located above each kidney that secretes several hormones (cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine)
Adrenergic
pertaining to neurons that release epinephrine or norepinephrine.
Agonist
a substance that stimulates an action
Analgesic
drug that reduces pain
Anaphylaxis
severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
Anesthetic
drug that induces partial or complete loss of sensation
Antagonist
A drug that opposes an action
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 (rest & digest) nervous system activity.
Anticoagulant
A drug that treats or prevents blood clots
Anticonvulsant/ Antiepileptic
A substance or medication that prevents or treats seizures
Antidiabetic
a drug that lowers blood sugar levels
Antidote
A drug that neutralizes a poison or opposes the effect of a poison
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
Antipyretic
A drug that reduces fever
Antitussive
drug that suppresses a cough
Atherosclerosis
hardening and occlusion of arteries caused by build-up of calcium and cholesterol
Atrial Fibrillation
A type of cardiac arrhythmia in which the right atrium receives irregular electrical impulses from the nervous system causing rapid, irregular heartbeat. This irregular heartbeat can cause blood clots capable of travelling to the brain and causing strokes.