Toxicology Vocabulary

Question 1

Toxicology

Answer 1

Story of the detection, chemistry, pharmacological actions, and antidotes of toxic substances.

Question 2

Toxin

Answer 2

Any chemical (drug, poison, or other) that causes adverse effects on an organism that is exposed to it.

Question 3

Organophosphates

Answer 3

Phosphorus-containing organic chemicals

Question 4

Gastric Lavage

Answer 4

Removing an ingested poison by repeatedly filling and emptying the stomach wit water or saline via a gastric tube; also known as “pumping the stomach”.

Question 5

Activated Charcoal

Answer 5

A powder, usually premixed with water, that will adsorb (bind) some poisons and help prevent them from being absorbed by the body.

Question 6

Whole bowel irrigation

Answer 6

Administration of polyethylene glycol continuously at 1-2 L/hr through a nasogastric tube until the effluent is clear or objects are recovered.

Question 7

Antidote

Answer 7

A substance that will neutralize a specific toxin or counteract its effects on the body.

Question 8

Toxidrome

Answer 8

A toxic syndrome; a group of typical signs and symptoms consistently associated with exposure to a particular type of toxin.

Question 9

Acid

Answer 9

Substance that liberates hydrogen ions (H+) when in solution.

Question 10

Alkali

Answer 10

Substance that liberated hydroxyl ions (OH-) when in solution; a strong base.

Question 11

Therapeutic Index

Answer 11

The maximum tolerated dose divided by the minimum curative dose of a drug; the range between curative and toxic dosages; also called therapeutic window.

Question 12

Exotoxin

Answer 12

A soluble poisonous substance secreted during growth of a bacterium.

Question 13

Enterotoxin

Answer 13

An exotoxin that produces gastrointestinal symptoms and diseases such as food poisoning.

Question 14

Substance Abuse

Answer 14

Use of a pharmacological substance for purposes other than medically defined reasons.

Question 15

Addiction

Answer 15

Compulsive and overwhelming dependence on a drug; an addiction may be physiological depend, a psychological dependance, or both.

Question 16

Tolerance

Answer 16

The need to progressively increase the dose of a drug to reproduce the effect originally achieved by smaller doses.

Question 17

Withdrawal

Answer 17

Referring to alcohol or drug withdrawal in which the patient’s body reacts severely when deprived of the abuse substances.

Question 18

Drug Overdose

Answer 18

Poisoning from a pharmacological substance in excess of that usually prescribed or that the body can tolerate.

Question 19

Delirium Tremens

Answer 19

Disorder found in habitual and excessive users of alcoholic beverages after cessation of drinking for 48-72 hours. Patients experience visual, tactile, and auditory disturbances. Death may result in sever cases.