Nursing 200 Foundations > Quiz 4 Acronyms > Flashcards
Quiz 4 Acronyms Flashcards
ECG/EKG
Electrocardiogram
Echo
Echocardiogram
ECT
Electroconvulsive therapy
ED
Emergency department or erectile dysfunction
EEG
Electroencephalogram
EMS
Emergency medical services
EMT
Emergency Medical Technician
ENT
Ear, nose and Throat
ERCP
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESR
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESRD
End Stage renal disease
ETT
Endotracheal tube
ETA
Estimated time of arrival
ETOH
Alcohol (ethanol)
FBS
fasting blood sugar
Fe
Iron
FFP
Fresh frozen plasma
FiO2
fraction of inspired oxygen
FUO
fever of unknown origin
Fx
Fracture
GCS
Glasgow Coma Scale
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
GI
Gastrointestinal
gm
gram(s)
gtt(s)
drop(s)
GU
genitourinary
GYN
Gynecology
Hct
Hematocrit
HDL
High density lipoprotein
HEENT
head, eyes, ears, nose and throat
Hgb
Hemoglobin
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
HOB
Head of bed
H&P
History and physical
HPI
History of present illness
HR
Heart rate
HS
Hour of sleep
HTN
Hypertension
Hx
History
Adverse effect
Are undesirable and potentially dangerous responses to a medication. Adverse effects can be inadvertent or predictable. Some are immediate; others take weeks or months to develop. For example, the antibiotic gentamicin can cause hearing loss.
Agonist
A chemical substance that binds to and activates certain receptors on cells, causing a biological response. Oxycodone, morphine, heroin, fentanyl, methadone, and endorphins are all examples of opioid receptor agonists.
Anaphylactic reaction
A severe allergic reaction usually occurring immediately after the administration of a drug. What nurses need to do during anaphylactic shock which is reaction when patient is hypersensitive to medications are stopping the IV tubing, infuse 0.9 % NaCl (An important pathophysiological aspect of anaphylaxis is the resulting hypovolemia which is treated with adequate volume substitution. For severe anaphylactic reactions, the supply of large amounts of fluid within a short time is necessary. When large quantities of electrolyte solutions are given, they remain in the intravascular space for a short time only. Therefore, failing stabilization after the application of larger volumes of electrolytes (> 1 l) the additional application of colloid volume substitutes can be considered.) Epinephrine, dopamine, diphenhydramine (Benadryl, etc), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), vasopressin can be considered to be prescribed. Administration of high flow 100 % oxygen is recommended. A laryngeal mask or a laryngeal tube can be helpful. Only in rare cases will endotracheal intubation by an experienced physician (usually emergency physician, anaesthesiologist) become necessary.
Antagonist
A drug that inhibits cell function by occupying receptor sites; it blocks the effect of a natural body substance or other drugs. Therefore, if an agonist, for example heroin or methadone, is present and activating the receptor, taking naltrexone will counteract the activation, resulting in withdrawal.
Buccal
is a medicine given between the gums and the inner lining of the mouth cheek until the drugs dissolved. This area is called the buccal pouch. Medicine is usually given in the buccal area when it is needed to take effect quickly or when the child is not conscious. This lets the medicine get absorbed through the tissue that lines the mouth and go straight into the bloodstream. Buccal medicines should help symptoms within 5 to 10 minutes.
Side effect: irritation of gums and inner cheeks
Drug allergy
Immunologic reaction to a drug. Patients have a list of medications that they are allergic to so make sure to double check before administer medications.
Drug interaction
Medications can interact with each other, resulting in beneficial or harmful effects. For example, giving the beta-blocker atenolol concurrently with the calcium channel blocker nifedipine can prevent reflex tachycardia. Medications can also increase or decrease the actions of other medications, and food can interact beneficially or harmfully with medications.
Drug toxicity
Deleterious effects of a drug on an organism or tissue that results from overdosage, ingestion of a drug intended for external use, and buildup ofthe drug in the blood because of impaired metabolism or excretion (cumulative effect)
Distribution
The transportation of medications to sites of action by bodily fluids.
Factors influencing distribution
- Circulation: Conditions that inhibit blood flow or perfusion (peripheral vascular or cardiac disease) can delay medication distribution.
- Permeability of the cell membrane: The medication must be able to pass through tissues and membranes to reach its target area. Medications that are lipid-soluble or have a transport system can cross the blood-brain barrier and the placenta.
- Plasma protein binding: Medications compete for protein binding sites within the bloodstream, primarily albumin. The ability of a medication to bind to a protein can affect how much of the medication will leave and travel to target tissues. Two medications can compete for the same binding sites, resulting in toxicity.
Excretion
The elimination of medications from the body, primarily through the kidneys. Elimination also takes place through the liver, lungs, intestines, and exocrine glands (in breast milk). Kidney dysfunction can lead to an increase in the duration and intensity of a medication’s response and can lead to toxicity.
Gauge of shaft
Shaft is identified by the length of the shank and the diameter of the needle lumen (gauge). The higher the gauge the smaller the internal diameter. The most common gauges are 25, 27, and 30 gauge.
Generic name
Official or nonproprietary name the United States Adopted Names Council gives a medication. Each medication has only one generic name (acetaminophen).
Intramuscular (injection (IM))
is installing medications into the depth of specifically selected muscles. The bulky muscles have good vascularity, and therefore the injected drug quickly reaches the systemic circulation and thereafter into the specific region of action, bypassing the first-pass metabolism. It is one of the most common medical procedures to be performed annually.
Location: deltoid, dorsogluteal region, vastus lateralis, ventrogluteal region
Intradermal
Intradermal injections (ID) are administered into the dermis just below the epidermis. Intradermal (ID) injections have the longest absorption time of all parenteral routes because there are fewer blood vessels and no muscle tissue. These types of injections are used for sensitivity testing because the patient’s reaction is easy to visualize, and the degree of reaction can be assessed. Examples of intradermal injections include tuberculosis (TB) and allergy testing. The most common anatomical sites used for intradermal injections are the inner surface of the forearm and the upper back below the scapula. The nurse should select an injection site that is free from lesions, rashes, moles, or scars that may alter the visual inspection of the test results.
Intravenous
Intravenous (IV) therapy involves infusing fluids via an IV catheter to administer medications, blood products, supplement fluid intake, or provide fluid replacement, electrolytes, or nutrients for rapid absorption and onset of action, Constant therapeutic blood levels and Less irritation to subcutaneous and muscle tissue.
Nurses administer large-volume IV infusions, as well as IV boluses, usually in a small amount of fluid. Nurses or pharmacists mix IV medication in a large volume of fluid to give as a continuous IV infusion or intermittently in a small amount of fluid.
Medication reconciliation
the process of comparing a patient’s medication orders to all of the medications that the patient has been taking even over the counter. This reconciliation is done to avoid medication errors such as omissions, duplications, dosing errors, or drug interactions.
The Joint Commission requires policies and procedures for medication reconciliation. Nurses compile a list of each client’s current medications, including all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, with correct dosages and frequency. They compare the list with new medication prescriptions and reconcile it to resolve any discrepancies. This process takes place at admission, when transferring clients between units or facilities, and at discharge.
Metabolism
Changes medications into less active forms or inactive forms by the action of enzymes. This occurs primarily in the liver, but also takes place in the kidneys, lungs, intestines, and blood.
Factors influencing medication metabolism rate
- Age: Infants have a limited medication-metabolizing capacity. The aging process also can influence medication metabolism but varies with the individual. In general, hepatic medication metabolism tends to decline with age. Older adults require smaller doses of medications due to the possibility of accumulation in the body.
- An increase in some medication-metabolizing enzymes: This can metabolize a particular medication sooner, requiring an increase in dosage of that medication to maintain a therapeutic level. It can also cause an increase in the metabolism of other concurrent-use medications.
- First-pass effect: The liver inactivates some medications on their first pass through the liver. Thus, they require a nonenteral route (sublingual, IV) because of their high first-pass effect.
- Similar metabolic pathways: When the same pathway metabolizes two medications, it can alter the metabolism of one or both. In this way, the rate of metabolism can decrease for one or both, leading to medication accumulation.
- Nutritional status: Clients who are malnourished can be deficient in the factors that are necessary to produce specific medication-metabolizing enzymes, thus impairing medication metabolism.
Parenteral
Administering medication by the parenteral route is defined as medications placed into the tissues and the circulatory system by injection. There are several reasons why medications may be prescribed via the parenteral route. Medications administered parenterally are absorbed more quickly compared to oral ingestion, meaning they have a faster onset of action. Because they do not undergo digestive processes in the gastrointestinal tract, they are metabolized differently, resulting in a stronger effect than oral medications. The parenteral route may also be prescribed when patients are nauseated or unable to swallow.
There are four potential routes of parenteral injections, including intradermal (IM), subcutaneous (SQ), intramuscular (IM), and intravenous (IV)
Although an injectable medication has many benefits, there are additional safety precautions the nurse must take during administration because an injection is considered an invasive procedure. Injections cause a break in the protective barrier of the skin, and some are administered directly into the bloodstream so there is increased risk of infection and rapid development of life-threatening adverse reactions.
PRN order
A PRN (pro re nata) prescription specifies at what dosage, what frequency, and under what conditions a nurse can administer the medication. The nurse uses clinical judgment to determine the client’s need for the medication. For example, a PRN prescription instructs the nurse to administer morphine 2 mg IV bolus every hour PRN for chest pain.
Side effect
are unwanted undesirable effects that are possibly related to a drug. Side effects can vary from minor problems like a runny nose to life-threatening events, such as a heart attack or liver damage
Single order
A single or one-time prescription is for administration once at a specific time or as soon as possible. These prescriptions are common for preoperative or preprocedural medications. For example, a one-time prescription instructs the nurse to administer warfarin 5 mg PO at 1700.
Standing order
A routine or standing prescription identifies medications nurses give on a regular schedule with or without a termination date. Without a termination date, the prescription will be in effect until the provider discontinues it or discharges the client.
Providers must re-prescribe some medications (opioids and antibiotics) within a specific amount of time or they will automatically discontinue.
Sublingual
Sublingual administration involves placing a drug under the tongue and buccal administration involves placing a drug between the gums and cheek. The sublingual and buccal routes are considered promising alternatives to the traditional oral route for drug delivery.
Subcutaneous
Subcutaneous (SQ or Sub-Q) injection means the injection is given in the fatty tissue, just under the skin. An SQ injection is the best way to give yourself certain medicines, including: Insulin. Blood-thinners. Fertility drugs. The best areas on your body to give yourself a SQ injection are: Upper arms. At least 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) below your shoulder and 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) above your elbow, on the side or back. Outer side of upper thighs. Belly area. Below your ribs and above your hip bones, at least 2 inches (5 centimeters) away from your belly button.
Synergistic effect
when the combined effect of two or more drugs administered at the same time is greater than anticipated from the sum of their individual effects (2+2=6).
Topical
drug action occurring only at the site of application (usually on skin or mucous membranes)
Trade name
also known as brand name or proprietary name) - copyrighted name whose use is restricted to a single company. This copyrighted name may be renewed so the
name remains with one company. This is in contrast to the 17 year patent on the drug itself.
In cases where the FDA arguably took excessive time to approve a drug, the company
14 years after approval can apply for a 5 year maximum renewal of the patent after which the drug may be made by other companies under the generic name. For example, acetaminophen drug under company name Tylenol
Therapeutic effect
This is the expected effect (physiological response) for which the nurse administers the medication to a specific client. One medication can have more than one therapeutic effect. For example, one client might take diphenhydramine to relieve allergies while another takes it to induce sleep.
