Therapeutic Terms Flashcards
chemotherapy
treatment of malignancies, infections, and other diseases with chemical agents that destroy selected cells or impair their ability to reproduce
radiation therapy
treatment of neoplastic disease by using ionizing radiation to deter proliferation of malignant cells
sclerotherapy
use of sclerosing agents in treating diseases (ex. injection of a saline solution into a dilated blood vessel tumor in the skin, resulting in hardening of the tissue within and eventual sloughing away of the lesion)
ultraviolet therapy
use of ultraviolet light to promote healing of a skin lesion (like an ulcer)
anesthetic
a drug that temporarily blocks transmission of nerve conduction to produce a loss of sensations (pain)
antibiotic
a drug that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms
antifungal
a drug that kills or prevents the growth of fungi
antihistamine
a drug that blocks the effects of histamine in the body
histamine
a regulating body substance released in excess during allergic reactions causing swelling and inflammation of tissues (hives)
anti-inflammatory
a drug that reduces inflammation
antipruritic
a drug that relieves itching
antiseptic
an agent that inhibits the growth of infectious microorganisms
