Key Terms Flashcards
1
Q
Absorption
A
The movement of a drug from a delivery medium
(tablet, capsule, transdermal patch) into the bloodstream.
2
Q
Acute
A
A sudden or rapidly occurring symptom or condition, usually of an urgent nature.
-opposite of chronic
3
Q
ADME
A
An acronym that stands for “Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Elimination.” This describes the order by which drugs enter and exit the body.
4
Q
Adrenal Gland
A
An anatomical structure located above each kidney that secretes several hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
5
Q
Adrenergic
A
Pertaining to neurons that release epinephrine or norepinephrine. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are associated with the fight or flight response.
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.
7
Q
Analgesic
A
A substance or drug that reduces pain.
8
Q
Anaphylaxis
A
A severe, potentially life threatening allergic reaction.
9
Q
Anesthetic
A
A substance or drug that induces partial or complete loss of sensation.
10
Q
Angina
A
Severe chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart.
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.
12
Q
Antacid
A
A substance or drug that neutralizes stomach acid.
13
Q
Antagonist
A
A substance or 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.
14
Q
Ante Area
A
The space directly adjacent to the clean room. The air quality in the ante area should be at least ISO class 8 (ISO classification)
15
Q
Antiarrhythmic
A
A substance or drug that prevents and/or treats cardiac arrhythmias.
16
Q
Antibiotic
A
A substance or drug that kills or opposes the reproduction of microorganisms.
17
Q
Anticholinergic
A
A substance or drug that opposes parasympathetic nervous system activity. The parasympathetic nervous system is associated with rest and digestion.
18
Q
Anticoagulant
A
A substance or drug that delays and/or prevents blood clotting.
19
Q
Anticonvulsant
A
A substance or medication that prevents and/or treats seizures.
20
Q
Antidepressant
A
A substance or drug that prevents and/or treats mental depression.
21
Q
Antidiabetic
A
A substance or drug that lowers blood sugar levels.
22
Q
Antidiarrheal
A
A substance or drug that prevents and/or treats diarrhea.
23
Q
Antidote
A
A substance or drug that neutralizes a poison or opposes the effect of a poison.
24
Q
Antiemetic
A
A substance or drug that prevents and/or treats nausea and vomiting.
25
Antiepileptic
A substance or drug that prevents and/or treats epilepsy or seizures. Often used synonymously with the term "anticonvulsant."
26
Antifungal
A substance or drug that kills and/or prevents the reproduction of fungi.
27
Antihistamine
Prevents the release or blocks the action of histamine, a mediator of allergic reactions, stomach acid production, and mental alertness/wakefulness.
28
Antiplatelet
A substance or drug that opposes the activity of platelets. Platelets play a major role in blood clot formation.
29
Antipsychotic
A substance or drug that prevents and/or treats psychosis (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
30
Antipyretic
A substance or drug that reduces fever.
31
Antitussive
A substance or drug that suppresses a cough.
32
Antiviral
A substance or drug that treats viral infections.
33
Arteries
Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the organs.
34
Atherosclerosis
Hardening and occlusion of arteries caused by the build-up of calcium and cholesterol.
35
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 for atrial fibrillation include "AF" and "A-fib."
36
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Non-cancerous growth/enlargement of the prostate gland. The enlarged prostate presses against the urethra, blocking the outflow of urine.
37
Blood Glucose
A measure of the concentration of glucose (sugar) in the blood. High blood glucose (see Hyperglycemia) is a sign of diabetes.
38
Blood Clot
A mass of coagulated blood capable of blocking blood flow.
39
Bradycardia
Below normal heart rate. (Normal resting heart rate is 60-90 beats per minute)
40
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Any condition in which the heart beats irregularly (beats off rhythm, beats too fast, beats too slow)
41
Cardiovascular System
An organ system composed of the heart and the blood vessels (arteries and veins).
42
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.
43
Cholesterol
A fatty substance the body uses to produce hormones and cell walls. Excess cholesterol accumulates in the arterial blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis and increasing the risk of heart attack.
44
Cholinergic
A substance or drug that produces or mimics the effects of acetylcholine.
45
Chronic
A symptom or condition that worsens slowly over time, sometimes progressing undetected. The opposite of acute.
46
Clean room
A controlled area designated for sterile compounding. Another term for clean room is "buffer area". The air quality in a clean room should be at least ISO class 7.
47
Contraceptive
A drug or device that prevents conception/pregnancy.
48
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, typically caused by atherosclerosis.
49
Corticosteroid
An anti-inflammatory drug that mimics the hormone "cortisol" which is produced by the adrenal gland. Examples include hydrocortisone and prednisone.
50
51
Decongestant
A substance or drug that reduces nasal congestion.
52
Depressant
A substance or drug that decreases nerve activity, potentially to the point of sedation.
53
Diuresis
Increased urine production. Diuretic drugs (loop, diuretics, thiazide diuretics, and potassium-sparing diuretics) work by including diuresis.
54
Edema
Swelling. Treatment for edema usually involves a loop diuretic.
55
Electrolytes
Electrically charged minerals. Examples include potassium, calcium, and sodium. Electrolytes are essential for normal body function (muscle contraction and nerve function).
56
Elimination
The excretion of a waste product from the body. In many cases, the liver metabolizes and deactivates a drug and then the kidneys transfer the waste product into the urine for elimination.
57
Embolism
Obstruction of a blood vessel by some form of debris or foreign body; for example, a blood clot, a mass of cholesterol, or an air bubble.
58
Emesis
Vomiting.
59
Enzyme
A catalyst for a chemical reaction. The body naturally produces certain enzymes.
60
Epistaxis
Nosebleed.
61
Expectorant
A substance or drug that thins mucus, making it easier to expel/cough up.
62
Glaucoma
A disease characterized by increased intraocular pressure.
63
Gout
A disease characterized by severe joint pain and inflammation.
64
Heart Failure
A condition in which the heart is unable to pump forcefully or effectively enough to meet the needs of the body.
65
Hepatic
Pertaining to the liver.
66
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter
A special air filter that removes 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns (0.00003 centimeters) in diameter or larger.
67
Histamine
A substance produced by 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.
68
HMG-CoA Reductase
The key enzyme involved in hepatic cholesterol production.
69
Hormone
A substance produced by the body to regulate or stimulate certain physiologic functions. Examples of hormones include insulin, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
70
Hyperglycemia
Abnormally high level of glucose in the blood.
71
Hyperkalemia
Abnormally high level of potassium in the blood.
72
Hypertension
High blood pressure.
73
Hyperuricemia
Abnormally high uric acid levels in the blood.
74
Hypoglycemia
Abnormally low level of glucose in the blood.
75
Hypokalemia
Abnormally low level of potassium in the blood.
76
Hypotension
Low blood pressure.
77
Indication
A use for a drug; a condition or symptom for w hich a drug is effective in treating. For example, hypertension is an indication for Lisinopril. In other words, Lisinopril is effective in treating high blood pressure.
78
ISO Classification
An air quality rating. ISO stand for the "International Organization for Standardization."
79
Lacrimation
The production of tears.
80
Laminar Airflow Hood (LAFH)
A combined air filtration machine and workbench. The LAFH collects air from its surrounding environment, usually a clean room, passes it through two filters (a standard filter and a HEPA filter), and then propels the filtered air across the workbench to create an ultra-low particle environment ideal for sterile compounding.
81
Lipids
Fats.
82
Metabolism
The body's natural process of chemically altering or breaking down a substance (a drug) with the goal of removing the substance from the body.
83
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
An event in which a portion of heart muscle tissue dies due to occlusion of the coronary artery.
84
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).
85
Neuron
A nerve cell; the most basic unit of the nervous system.
86
Neurotransmitter
a substance released by neurons to manage nervous system-mediated functions. One example is serotonin, which helps manage behavior and mood.
87
Nitric Oxide
A chemical in the body that causes blood vessels to dilate/expand.
88
Nonproductive Cough
Dry cough.
89
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAIDs)
Medications that work similar to corticosteroids, reducing pain and swelling caused by inflammation.
90
Off-Label
A term that describes uses for a drug that is not FDA-approved.
91
Osmosis
The process by which water naturally crosses a semipermeable membrane from the side with low solute concentration to the side with high solute concentration in an attempt to equalize the solute concentration on each side of the membrane.
92
Peripheral Neuropathy
TIngling and/or pain in the extremities caused by nerve damage.
93
Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5)
A key enzyme involved in the breakdown of nitric oxide.
94
Photosensitivity
Increased sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in a predisposition to sunburn.
95
Polyuria
Excessive urine production.
96
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 category A, B, C, or D drug during pregnancy may be appropriate if the benefits outweigh the risks.
97
Priapism
A painful, prolonged erection.
98
Prophylaxis
A Measure or action taken to prevent disease. Synonymous with "prevention."
99
Prostaglandins
A group of chemicals naturally produced and released within the body for various functions, including the promotion of inflammation.
100
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.
101
Renal
Pertaining to the kidney ("renal failure" and "kidney failure" are synonymous). The kidneys function as a filtration system for blood.
102
Sedative-Hypnotic
A substance or drug that induces sleep. Also referred to as tranquilizer.
103
Serotonin Syndrome
A condition caused by excessive stimulation of serotonin receptors.
104
Side Effects
The undesired effects/consequences of medication use.
105
Solute
A substance or drug that is dissolved in a solution.
106
Solution
The liquid that contains a dissolved substance or drug; a homogeneous mixture composed of a solute and a solvent.
107
Solvent
The liquid part of a solution in which the solute is dissolved.
108
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
A disease characterized by fever and severe skin rashes involving the mouth, eyes, and mucous membranes.
109
Stimulant
A substance or drug that increases nerve activity.
110
Stroke
An event in which an area of the brain dies due to insufficient blood flow.
111
Sulfa Allergy
An allergy to the class of antibiotics known as the sulfonamides.
112
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.
113
Syncope
Pass out; faint.
114
Tachycardia
Abnormally rapid resting heart rate. (Normal resting heart rate is 60-90 BPM)
115
Tolerance
Decreased sensitivity to a drug; the acquired capacity to endure large doses with minimal effects.
116
Vasoconstrictor
A substance or drug that causes contraction/narrowing of a blood vessel, decreasing the volume of blood flowing through the vessel and increasing blood pressure.
117
Vasodilator
A substance or drug that causes expansion/relaxation of a blood vessel, which increases the volume of blood flowing through the vessel and decreases blood pressure.
118
Veins
Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the organs back to the heart.
119
Withdrawal
Response to discontinuation of a drug to which a person has become physically or psychologically dependant.
