Vital Vocabulary Flashcards
Absorption
The process by which the molecules of a substance are moved from he site of entry or administration into systemic circulation.
Absolute refractory period
The early phase of cardiac repolarization, wherein the heart muscle cannot be stimulated to depolarize, also known as the effective refractory period.
AChE
An enzyme that breaks down ACh.
Active metabolite
A medication that has undergone biotransformation and is able to alter a cellular process or function of the body.
Active transport
The process of molecules binding with carrier proteins when energy is used to move the molecules against a concentration gradient.
Affinity
The ability of a medication to bind wit a particular receptor site.
Agonist medications
The group of medications hat initiate or alter a cellular activity by attaching to receptor sites, prompting a cellular response.
Anaphylaxis
An extreme systemic form of an allergic reaction involving two or more body systems.
Antagonist medications
The group of medications that prevent endogenous or exogenous agonist chemicals from reaching cell receptor sites and initiating or altering a particular cellular activity.
Antibiotics
The medications use to fight infections by killing the microorganisms or preventing their multiplication to allow the body’s immune system overcome them.
Antifungals
The medication used to fight fungal infections.
Antimicrobials
The medication used to kill or suppress the growth of microorganisms
Automaticity
A state which cardiac cells are at rest, waiting for the generation of a spontaneous impulse from within.
Bioavailability
The percent of unchanged medication that reaches systemic circulation.
Biotransformation
A process with four possible effects on a medication absorbed into the body.
- An inactive substance can become active, capable of producing desired or unwanted clinical effects.
- An active medication can be changed into another active medication
- an active medication be completely or partially inactivated.
- A medication is transformed into a substance(active or inactive) that is easier for the body to eliminate.
Cheating agents
Medications that bind with heavy metals in the body and create a compound that can be eliminated, used in cases of ingestion or poisoning.
Cholinergic
A term used to describe fibers kin the parasympathetic nervous system that release a chemical called ACh.
Competitive antagonists
The medications that temporarily bind with cellular receptor sites, displacing agonist chemicals.
Competitive depolarizing
A term used to describe paralytic agents that act at the neuromuscular junction by binding with nicotinic receptors on muscles, causing fasciculations and preventing additional activation by ACh.
Cross tolerance
A process where repeated exposure to a medication within a particular class causes a tolerance at may be “transferred” to other medications in the same class.
Cumulative action
Several smaller doses of a particular medication capable of producing the same clinical effects as a single larger dose of that same medication.
Cytochrome P-450 system
A hero protein involved in detoxification of many drugs.
Dependence
The physical, behavioral, or emotional need for a medication or chemical in order to maintain “normal” physiologic function.
Depolarization
The process of discharging resting cardiac muscle fibers by electric impulse that causes them to contract.
Depressant
A chemical or medication that decreases the performance of the CNS or sympathetic nervous system.
Distribution
The movemtent and transportation of a medication throughout the blood stream to tissues and cells and ultimately to its target receptor.
Diuretic
A chemical that increases urinary output.
Dose response curve
A graphic illustration of the response of a drug according to dose administered.
Dosing
The specific amount of a medication to be given at specific intervals.
Down-regulation
The process in which a mechanism reducing available cell receptors for a particular medication results in tolerance.
Duration of effect
The time a medication concentration can be expected to remain above the minimum level needed to provide the intended action.
Dystonic
Pertaining to voluntary muscle movements that are distorted or impaired because of abnormal muscle tone.
Ectopic foci
Sites of generation of electrical impulses other than normal pacemaker cells.
Efficacy
In the pharmacologic context, the ability of the medication to produce the desired effect.