Key Terms and Definitions

Question 1

What is acetylcholine?

Answer 1

A neurotransmitter that stimulates M3 receptors.

Question 2

What is acetylcholinesterase?

Answer 2

The enzyme that breaks down ACh.

Question 3

Define Adrenergic.

Answer 3

Stimulates a receptor for epinephrine or norepinephrine.

Question 4

Define Afferent.

Answer 4

Signals going TO the brain.

Question 5

Define Agonist.

Answer 5

A chemical or drug that binds to a receptor and creates an effect on the body.

Question 6

Define antagonist.

Answer 6

A chemical or drug that blocks the receptor.

Question 7

Define antiadrenergic.

Answer 7

A drug that blocks adrenergic receptors.

Question 8

Define anticholinergic.

Answer 8

A drug that blocks the receptors for acetylcholine.

Question 9

Define bioavailability.

Answer 9

The amount of drug that reaches the systemic circulation.

Question 10

Define cholinergic.

Answer 10

A drug that stimulates the receptors for acetylcholine.

Question 11

Define ED50.

Answer 11

The dose at which a drug produces 50% of the maximal effect.

Question 12

Define efferent.

Answer 12

Signals transmitted AWAY (Exiting) from the brain.

Question 13

Define enteral.

Answer 13

Using the intestine.

Question 14

Define first-pass effect.

Answer 14

The initial metabolism of an orally administrated drug by the liver.

Question 15

Define generic name.

Answer 15

The name assigned to a chemical by the USAN council. NOT the brand name/trade name.

Question 16

Define idiosyncratic effect.

Answer 16

An abnormal or unexpected reaction to a drug, other than an allergic reaction, as compared with the predicted effect.

Question 17

Define LD50

Answer 17

The dose at which it is lethal to 50% of recipients.

Question 18

Define local effect.

Answer 18

Drug’s effect is limited to the area it was administered.

Question 19

Define L/T ratio.

Answer 19

The amount of the drug that is made available to the lung out of the total available to the body.

Question 20

Define medication reconciliation.

Answer 20

The formal process in which healthcare providers work together with patients, families, and care providers to ensure accurate and comprehensive medication information is communicated consistently across transitions of care.

Question 21

Define nonproprietary name.

Answer 21

The name of a drug other than its trademarked name.

Question 22

Define norepinephrine.

Answer 22

An endogenous catecholamine produced by the adrenal medulla.

Question 23

Define official name.

Answer 23

When a drug is approved, the generic name becomes the official name.

Question 24

Define orphan drug.

Answer 24

A drug used for the treatment of a rare disease so the company that produces it will not produce it widely and it must be subsidized by the government or patient in order to be made.

Question 25

Define parasympatholytic.

Answer 25

An agent blocking or inhibiting the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 26

Define parasympathomimetic.

Answer 26

An agent that stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 27

Define parenteral.

Answer 27

Any deliver method that is not in the intestine, usually IM, IV, or SC.

Question 28

Define pharmacodynamics.

Answer 28

The mechanisms of drug action by which a drug molecule causes its EFFECT ON THE BODY.

Question 29

Define pharmacogenetics.

Answer 29

The study of the interrelationship of genetic differences and drug effects.

Question 30

Define pharmacokinetics.

Answer 30

The time course and disposition of a drug in the body based on ADME. EFFECT OF BODY ON DRUG.

Question 31

Define structure-activity relation.

Answer 31

The relationship between a drug’s chemical structure and the outcome it has on the body.

Question 32

Define sympatholytic.

Answer 32

Blocks the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 33

Define sympathomimetic.

Answer 33

Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 34

Define synergism.

Answer 34

A drug interaction that occurs from combined drug effects that are greater than if the drug is given alone.

Question 35

Define potentiation.

Answer 35

When a drug that does not have an effect on its own augments the effect of another drug.

Question 36

Define tachyphylaxis.

Answer 36

A rapid decrease in response to a drug.

Question 37

Define therapeutic index.

Answer 37

The difference between the ED50 and LD50.