Vocabulary Flashcards
1
Q
absolute bioavailability
A
the bioavailability of a drug
product compared to the same drug in the form of a
rapidly administered IV solution.
2
Q
absorption
A
the movement of the drug from the dosage
formulation into the blood.
3
Q
abstracting services
A
services that locate and summarize
professional and scientific journal articles on specific
topIcs.
4
Q
active transport
A
the movement of drugs from an area of
lower concentration to an area of higher concentration; cellular energy is required
5
Q
acute condition
A
a sudden condition requiring immediate
treatment.
6
Q
acute viral hepatitis
A
an inflammatory condition of the
liver caused by viruses.
7
Q
additive
A
a drug that is added to a parenteral solution.
8
Q
additive effects
A
the summation in effect when two drugs
with similar pharmacological actions are taken.
9
Q
admission orders
A
the initial medications ordered when a
patient is admitted to the hospital.
10
Q
admixture
A
the resulting solution when a drug is added
to a parenteral solution.
11
Q
adverse drug effect/event/reaction
A
an unintended side effect of a medication that is negative or in some way injurious to a patient’s health; injury may be preventable in some cases but may be unpredictable and unavoidable in other cases.
12
Q
agonists
A
drugs that activate receptors to accelerate or
slow normal cell function.
13
Q
alimentary tract
A
the organs from the mouth to the anus.
14
Q
aliquot
A
a portion of a mixture.
15
Q
alveolar sacs (alveoli)
A
the small sacs in the lungs that transfer oxygen out of inspired air into the blood and carbon dioxide out of the blood and into air that will be exhaled.
16
Q
ampules
A
sealed glass containers with an elongated neck
that must be snapped off before use.
17
Q
analgesia
A
a state in which pain is not felt even though a
painful condition exists.
18
Q
anaphylactic shockw
A
a potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction producing severe respiratory distress and cardiovascular collapse.
19
Q
androgens
A
male sex hormones.
20
Q
anemia
A
a decrease in hemoglobin, or red blood cells.
21
Q
anhydrous
A
without water molecules.
22
Q
anions
A
negatively charged particles.
23
Q
antagonists
A
drugs that bind with receptors but do not activate them. They block receptor action by preventing other drugs or substances from activating them.
24
Q
anthelmintics
A
drugs that destroy worms.
25
antibiotic
a substance that harms or kills microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.
26
antibiotic therapy
a common home infusion service used for treating AIDS-related and other infections.
27
antidote
a drug that antagonizes the toxic effect of
| another drug.
28
antihyperlipidemics
drugs that lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
29
antipyretic
reduces fever.
30
antitoxin
a substance that acts against a toxin in the body; also, a vaccine containing antitoxins, used to
fight disease.
31
antitussive
a drug that acts against a cough.
32
aqueous
water based.
33
arrest knob
the knob on a balance that prevents any
| movement of the balance pans.
34
arrhythmia
an abnormal heart rhythm.
35
aseptic techniques
methods that maintain the sterile condition of products.
36
automated dispensing cabinet
an automated device that dispenses medications at the point-of-use.
37
automated filling machines
automated machines that fill and label pill bottles with correct quantities of ordered drugs.
38
auxiliary labels
labels regarding specific warnings, foods or medications to avoid, potential side effects, and other cautionary interactions.
39
bactericidal
bacteria killing.
40
bacteriostatic
bacteria inhibiting.
41
batching
preparation of large quantities of unit dose oral solutions/suspensions or small volume parenterals for future use.
42
bevel
an angled surface at the tip of a needle.
43
beyond-use date
a date assigned to compounded prescriptions beyond which the preparation should not be used.
44
bioavailability
the amount of an administered dose that reaches the general circulation and the rate at which this occurs.
45
biocompatibility
not irritating; does not promote infection or abscess.
46
bioequivalency
the comparison of bioavailability between two dosage forms.
47
biopharmaceutics
the study of the factors associated with drug products and physiological processes, and the resulting systemic concentrations of the drugs.
48
black box warning
information on a prescription drug's product labeling calling attention to serious or life threatening risks.
49
blocker
another term for an antagonist drug, because antagonists block the action of neurotransmitters.
50
body surface area
a measure used for dosage that is calculated from the height and weight of a person and measured in square meters.
51
bronchodilators
a medication that decongests the bronchial tubes.
52
buccal
pouch between the cheek and teeth in the mouth.
53
buffer system
ingredients in a formulation designed to control the pH.
54
bulk compounding log
a record of medications that are compounded in the pharmacy for nonspecific patients. Information must include a list of all the ingredients, amounts used, manufacturer, lot numbers, and expiration dates of each specific ingredient.
55
calcium channel blockers
drugs that lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.
56
calibrate
to set, mark, or check the graduations of a
| measuring device.
57
cardiac cycle
the contraction and relaxation of the heart
| that pumps blood through the cardiovascular system.
58
cations
positively charged particles.
59
central pharmacy
the main inpatient pharmacy in a hospital that has pharmacy satellites. It is the place where most of the hospital's medications are prepared and stored.
60
certification
a legal document certifying that an individ-
| ual meets certain objective standards, usually provided by a neutral professional organization.
61
Chapter <795>
regulations from USP-NF pertaining to compounding nonsterile preparations.
62
Chapter <797>
regulations from USP-NF pertaining to compounding sterile preparations.
63
chronic condition
a continuing condition that requires ongoing treatment for a prolonged period.
64
chyme
the semiliquid form of food as it enters the intes-
| tinal tract.
65
cirrhosis
a chronic liver disease causing loss of function.
66
civil law
laws pertaining to wrongs to an individual.
67
clean room
area designed for the preparation of sterile
| products.
68
close call
a medication safety event that had the potentil to cause harm but did not reach the patient.
69
closed formulary
a limited list of approved medications; a type of formulary that requires physicians to order only those medications on the formulary list; some exceptions may apply.
70
clotting factors
factors in the blood coagulation process.
71
CMS-1500 form
the standard form used by health-care providers to bill for services, including disease state management services.
72
CMS-10114 form
the standard form used by health-care providers to apply for a National Provider Identifier (NPI)
73
co-insurance
an agreement for cost-sharing between the insurer and the insured.
74
co-pay
the portion of the price of medication that the
| patient is required to pay.
75
code cart
a locked cart of medications and other medi-
| cal equipment designed for emergency use.
76
colloids
particles up to a hundred times smaller than
those in suspensions that are, however, likewise sus-
pended in a solution.
77
Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA)
federal law that sets daily and monthly limits on OTC sale of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine.
78
combining vowel
a vowel used to connect the prefix, root word, or suffix parts of a term.
79
competent
being qualified and capable.
80
complexation
when two different molecules associate or
| attach to each other.
81
compliance
doing what is required.
82
compounded sterile preparation (SP)
a compounded sterile dosage form.
83
compounding community pharmacy
pharmacies that specialize in providing compounding services but may also fill prescriptions for commercially available products and/or sell some over-the-counter products; some-times called hybrid pharmacies.
84
Compounding Record
a record of what actually happened when the preparation was compounded.
85
compression molding
a method of making suppositories in which the ingredients are compressed in a mold.
86
concentration
the strength of a solution as measured by the weight-to-volume or volume-to-volume of the substance being measured.
87
confidential
the requirement of health-care providers to
keep all patient information private among the patient, the patient's insurer, and the providers directly involved in the patient's care.
88
conjunctiva
the eyelid lining.
89
conjunctivitis
inflammation of the conjunctiva (eyelid
| lining).
90
consultant pharmacist
develops and maintains an individual pharmaceutical plan for each long-term care patient.
91
contraceptive
device or formulation designed to prevent
| pregnancy.
92
contracts
legal agreements that have duties associated with them.
93
controlled substance mark the mark (CII-CV)
that indicates the control category of a drug with a potential for abuse.
94
controlled substances
five groups of drugs identified by the 1970 Controlled Substances Act (CSA) as having the potential for abuse and whose distribution is therefore strictly controlled by five control schedules set forth in the CSA.
95
conversions
changing one unit of measure into another
| so that both amounts are equal.
96
coring
when a needle damages the rubber closure of a
| parenteral container causing fragments of the closure to fall into the container and contaminate its contents.
97
corticosteroid
hormonal steroid substances produced by
| the cortex of the adrenal gland.
98
counting tray
a tray designed for counting pills.
99
CPOE
a system in which the physician or agent of the
| physician enters orders directly into the hospital computer system.
100
criminal law
laws pertaining to a wrong to society.
101
Current Procedural Terminology codes (CPT codes)
identifiers used for billing MTM services.
102
DAW (dispense as written)
mechanism by which a prescriber may indicate that the brand product, not the equivalent generic, must be dispensed.
103
data
information that is entered into and stored in a
| computer system.
104
database
a collection of information structured so that
specific information within it can easily be retrieved
and used.
105
days supply
the number of days the prescribed quantity
| of medication will last when taken as directed.
106
DEA number
required on all controlled drug prescriptions; identifies the prescriber.
107
deductible
a set amount that must be paid by the patient
for each benefit period before the insurer will cover
additional expenses.
108
denominator
the bottom or right number in a fraction.
109
depot
the area in the muscle where a formulation is
| injected during an intramuscular injection.
110
depth filter
a filter that can filter solutions being drawn
into or expelled from a syringe, but not both ways in
the same procedure.
111
dermatological
a product used to treat a skin condition.
112
diabetes mellitus
a condition in which the body does not
| produce enough insulin or is unable to use it efficiently.
113
dialysis
movement of particles in a solution through
| permeable membranes.
114
diastolic pressure
the blood pressure after the heart has
| completed a pumping stroke.
115
diluent
a solvent that dissolves a freeze-dried lyophilized powder or dilutes a solution.
116
discharge pharmacy technician
a technician who specializes in outpatient pharmacy services that may be offered to patients when they are leaving the hospital.
117
disintegration
the breaking apart of a tablet into smaller pieces.
118
displacement
a drug that is bound to a plasma protein is removed when another drug of greater binding potential binds to the same protein.
119
disposition
a term sometimes used to refer to all of the
| ADME processes together.
120
dissociation
when a compound breaks down and separates into smaller components.
121
dissolution
when the smaller pieces of a disintegrated
| tablet dissolve in solution.
122
Distributive pharmacist
Makes sure long-term care patients receive the correct medications ordered
123
diuretics
drugs that increase the elimination of salts and
| water through urination.
124
drip rate
the measurement for IV flow rate; the number
| of drops per minute.
125
drip rounds
a process in which the pharmacy technician goes to specific nursing units to find out what IV drips will be needed later that day.
126
drop shipments
lower-volume, high-cost medications shipped on an as-need basis directly from the manufacturer and billed through the wholesaler.
127
drug-diet interactions
when elements of ingested nutrients interact with a drug and this affects the disposition of the drug.
128
drug recall
voluntary or involuntary removal of a drug product by the manufacturer; usually pertaining to a particular shipment or lot number.
129
drug resistance
the reduction of an antibiotic's effectiveness.
130
dual co-pay
co-pays that have two prices: one for generic and one for brand medications.
131
dual marketing
status of medications like Plan B® that are classified as both prescription and OTC drugs.
132
DUR (Drug Utilization Review) warning
an alert or message generated by the pharmacy or insurance company computer system notifying the pharmacist of a potential drug safety or payment concern.
133
duration of action
the time drug concentration is above the minimum effective concentration (MEC).
134
edema
swelling from abnormal retention of fluid.
135
electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
a graph of the heart's rhythms.
136
electrolytes substances
that in solution form ions that conduct an electrical current.
137
electronic medical record (EMR) or electronic health
| record (EHR)
a computerized patient medical record.
138
elimination
the processes of metabolism and excretion.
139
embolism, embolus
a clot that has traveled in the blood-stream to a point where it obstructs flow.
140
emergency drug procurement
to quickly obtain a medication not currently in stock in the pharmacy in situations where the drug is urgently needed.
141
emulsifier
a stabilizing agent in emulsions.
142
emulsions
mixture of two liquids that do not mix with each other; one liquid is dispersed through the other by mixing and using an emulsifier for stability.
143
endocrine system
a system of organs and glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
144
enteral
a route of administration to any organ in the alimentary tract (i.e., from the mouth to the anus).
145
enterohepatic cycling
the transfer of drugs and their metabolites from the liver to the bile in the gall bladder, then into the intestine, and then back into circulation.
146
enzyme
a complex protein that catalyzes chemical reactions.
147
enzyme induction
the increase in hepatic enzyme activity that results in greater metabolism of drugs.
148
enzyme inhibition
the decrease in hepatic enzyme activity that results in reduced metabolism of drugs.
149
epidural
a sterile, preservative-free medication administered into a patient's epidural space (located near the spinal cord and backbone).
150
equivalent weight
a drug's molecular weight divided by its valence; a measure of electrolyte concentration.
151
erythrocytes
red blood cells that transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.
152
estrogen, progesterone
female sex characteristics hormones produced by the female reproductive system and involved in calcium and phosphorus conservation.
153
ethics
a branch of philosophy that helps determine what
| should be done in a principled sense.
154
Eustachian tube
the tube that connects the middle ear to the throat.
155
exempt narcotics
medications with habit-forming ingredients that can be dispensed by a pharmacist without a prescription to persons at least 18 years of age.
156
extemporaneous compounding
the on-demand preparation of a drug product according to a physician's prescription, formula, or recipe, usually because the drug product is not available commercially.
157
extracellular fluid
the fluid outside the body's individual cells found in plasma and tissue fluid.
158
fibrin
the fiber that serves as the structure for clot
| formation.
159
fibrinogen
Factor I.
160
final filter
a device used to remove particulate matter; placed at the end point of an IV line just before it enters a patient's vein.
161
finger cots
protective coverings for fingers.
162
first-pass metabolism
the substantial degradation of an orally administered drug caused by enzyme metabolism in the liver before the drug reaches systemic circulation.
163
flashball
a flexible rubber bulb near the needle adapter of an administration set used to determine if the needle is properly placed in the vein.
164
flexor movement
an expansion or outward movement caused by muscles.
165
flocculating agent
electrolytes used in the preparation of suspensions to form particles that can be easily redispersed.
166
floor stock
supplies, over-the-counter medications, and IV fluids available for immediate use on a nursing unit or ancillary area; these items are not labeled for individual patients.
167
flow rate
the rate (in mL/hour or mL/minute) at which solution is administered to the patient.
168
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
a national regulatory body in the United States that oversees the approval, manufacture, and distribution of drugs for the safety of the public.
169
formulary
a list of stocked drugs that have been selected based on therapeutic factors as well as cost; a list of medications approved for use.
170
Formulation Record
formulas and procedures (i.e., recipes) for what should happen when a preparation is compounded.
171
fusion molding
a suppository preparation method in which the active ingredients are dispersed or dissolved in a melted suppository base.
172
gastric emptying
time the time a drug stays in the stomach before it is emptied into the small intestine.
173
gastrointestinal tract
part of the alimentary tract involved in the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients.
174
gauge
a measurement with needles: the higher the gauge, the smaller the lumen.
175
geometric dilution
a technique for mixing two powders of unequal quantity.
176
glaucoma
abnormally high pressure within the eye leading to optic nerve damage and loss of vision.
177
glomerular filtration
the blood filtering process of the nephron.
178
glucagon
a hormone that helps convert amino acids to glucose.
179
gout
a painful inflammatory condition in which excess uric acid accumulates in the joints.
180
hand hygiene
a broad term that pertains to proper
| handwashing or use of antiseptic hand gel/rub.
181
Health Information Technology for Economic and
| Clinical Health Act (HITECH)
a federal act that strengthens HIPAA and promotes use of electronic prescribing and electronic medical records.
182
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
| HIPAA
a federal act that, among other things, protects the privacy of individuals and the sharing of protected health information.
183
hematopoietics
drugs used to treat anemia.
184
hemorrhoid
painful swollen veins in the anal/rectal area, generally caused by strained bowel movements
from hard stools.
185
hemostatic drugs
drugs that prevent excessive bleeding.
186
HEPA filter
a high-efficiency particulate air filter.
187
heparin lock
an administration device used when a pri-
| mary solution is not available.
188
high-alert medications
medications that are known to cause significant harm if an error is made.
189
HMOs
a network of providers for which costs are cov-
| ered inside but not outside of the network.
190
home care agencies
home nursing care businesses that provide a range of health-care services, including infusion.
191
homeostasis
the state of equilibrium of the body.
192
horizontal airflow workstation
a laminar flow workstation with horizontal airflow across the work area.
193
hormones
chemicals produced by the body that regulate body functions and processes.
194
hub
the part of the needle that attaches to the syringe.
195
human genome
the complete set of genetic material contained in a human cell.
196
hydrates
absorbs water.
197
hydrophilic
capable of associating with or absorbing water.
198
hydrophilic emulsifier
a stabilizing agent for water based dispersion mediums.
199
hydrophobic
water repelling; cannot associate with water.
200
hyperthyroidism
a condition in which thyroid hormone secretions are above normal, often referred to as an overactive thyroid.
201
hypertonic
when a solution has a greater osmolarity than that of blood.
202
hypothalamus
the gland that is the control center for the endocrine system.
203
hypothyroidism
a condition in which thyroid hormone secretions are below normal, often referred to as an underactive thyroid.
204
hypotonic
when a solution has a lesser osmolarity than that of blood.
205
idiosyncrasy
an unexpected reaction the first time a drug is taken, generally due to genetic causes.
206
immiscible
cannot be mixed.
207
incident report
a statement of facts surrounding a medical error or incident.
208
infection control committee
a hospital committee in charge of the surveillance, prevention and control of infection within the hospital.
209
infusion
the gradual intravenous injection of a volume of fluid into a patient.
210
injectability
the ease of flow when a suspension is injected into a patient.
211
injunction
a court order preventing a specific action, such as the distribution of a potentially dangerous drug.
212
inpatient pharmacy
a pharmacy located in a hospital that services only those patients in the hospital and its ancillary areas.
213
inspiration
breathing in.
214
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
a committee that assures hospital research complies with federal, hospital, and ethical standards.
215
insulin
a hormone that controls the body's use of glucose.
216
integumentary system
the body covering, i.e., skin, hair, and nails.
217
interpersonal skills
skills involving relationships between people.
218
interstitial fluid
tissue fluid.
219
intracellular fluid
cell fluid.
220
intraocular
inside the eve.
221
intrauterine device (IUD)
an intrauterine contraceptive device that is placed in the uterus for a prolonged period of time.
222
intravenous piggyback (IVPB)
a small volume parenteral that will be added into or "piggybacked" into a large volume parenteral (LVP).
223
inventory
a list of goods or items a business uses in its normal operations.
224
ions
electrically-charged particles.
225
iontophoresis
low-level electric current used to enhance drug penetration through the skin.
226
irrigation solution
large volume splash solutions used during surgical or urologic procedures to bathe and moisten body tissues.
227
islands (or islets) of Langerhans
specialized cells of the pancreas that secrete insulin.
228
isotonic
when a solution has an osmolarity equivalent to that of blood.
229
lacrimal canalicula
the tear ducts.
230
lacrimal gland
the gland that produces tears for the eye.
231
laminar flow
continuous movement at a uniform rate in one direction.
232
least common denominator
smallest possible denominator tor an equivalent fraction so that two fractions can be added or subtracted and have the same denominator.
233
legend drug
any drug that requires a prescription and either of these "legends" on the label: "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription, "Rx only."
234
levigation
triturating a powder drug with a solvent in
| which it is insoluble to reduce its particle size.
235
liability
legal responsibility for costs or damages arising from misconduct or negligence.
236
licensure
the individual has met the state's requirement for licensure and the state agency has issued a license.
237
lipoidal
fat-like or lipid-loving.
238
lipophilic emulsifier
a stabilizing agent for oil-based dispersion mediums.
239
local effect
when drug activity is at the site of administration.
240
look-alikes
drug names that have similar appearance, particularly when written.
241
lumen
the hollow center of a needle.
242
lymphocytes
a type of white blood cell that helps defend the body against bacteria and diseased cells.
243
lyophilized
freeze-dried.
244
maintenance medication
a medication that is required on a continuing basis for the treatment of a chronic condition.
245
malpractice
a type of negligence lawsuit brought against a person with a professional license.
246
markup
the difference between the retailer's sale price and their purchase price.
247
materia medica
generally pharmacology, but also refers to the drugs in use (from the Latin materia, matter, and medica, medical).
248
maximum allowable cost (MAC)
the maximum price per tablet (or other dispensing unit) an insurer or PBM will pay for a given product.
249
Medicaid
a federal-state program, administered by the states, providing health care for the needy.
250
Medicare
a federal program providing health care to people with certain disabilities or who are age 65 and over; it includes basic hospital insurance, voluntary medical insurance, and voluntary prescription drug insurance.
251
Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and
| Modernization Act
federal legislation that created Medicare Part D and made allowance for Medicare recipients to receive Medicare medical coverage through private health insurance plans.
252
medication administration record (MAR)
a form that tracks the medications administered to a patient.
253
medication error
any error occurring during the medication use process.
254
Medication Guide (MedGuide)
a patient handout provided for many prescription medications to provide FDA-approved information to help patients avoid serious adverse events; required for certain drugs.
255
medication order
the form used to prescribe medicatons for patients in institutional settings.
256
medication reconciliation technician
a technician that identifies the most accurate list of all medications patients are taking.
257
Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services
services provided to some Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare Part D and who are taking multiple medications or have certain diseases.
258
medullary paralysis
an overdose of anesthesia that paralyzes the respiratory and heart centers of the medulla, leading to death.
259
membrane filter
a filter that filters solution as the soluton is expelled from the syringe.
260
meniscus
the curved surface of a column of liquid.
261
metabolite
the substance resulting from the body's trans-
| formation of an administered drug.
262
metastasized
when cancer cells spread beyond their original site.
263
milliequivalent (mEg)
the unit of measure for electrolytes in a solution.
264
mimetic
another term for an agonist, because agonists imitate, or "mimic," the action of the neurotransmitter.
265
minimum effective concentration (MEC)
the blood concentration needed for a drug to produce a response.
266
minimum toxic concentration (MC)
the upper limit of the therapeutic window. Drug concentrations above the MTC increase the risk of undesired effects.
267
miscible
capable of being mixed together.
268
molecular weight
the sum of the atomic weights of a molecule.
269
monograph
a document or standard describing a drug,
| drug ingredient, or chemical
270
mucilage
a wet, slimy liquid formed as an initial step in the Wet Gum method.
271
mydriatics
drugs that dilate the pupil.
272
myocardium
heart muscle.
273
nasal cavity
the cavity behind the nose and above the roof of the mouth that filters air and moves mucous and inhaled contaminants outward and away from the lungs.
274
nasal inhaler
a device that aerosolizes a drug for nasal inhalation.
275
nasal mucosa
the cellular lining of the nose.
276
National Drug Code (NDC)
number the number assigned by the manufacturer of a drug to the specific strength, form, and packaging of a drug product.
277
national provider identifier (NPI)
a code assigned to recognized health-care providers; needed to bill MTM services.
278
necrosis
increase in cell death.
279
negligence
failing to do something that should or must be done.
280
neoplasm
a new and abnormal tissue growth, often referring to cancer cells.
281
nephron
the functional unit of the kidney responsible for removing wastes from the blood and producing urine.
282
nephrotoxicity
the ability of a substance to harm the kidneys.
283
neuron
the functional unit of the nervous system.
284
neurotransmitter
chemicals released by nerves that interact with receptors to cause an effect.
285
nomogram
a chart showing relationships between measurements.
286
non-formulary
drugs not on the formulary list and not regularly stocked in the pharmacy.
287
nonviable particles
environmental (e.g., dust, lint, container bits) or personnel (e.g., skin, clothing, makeup) particles that do not have microbial contamination associated with them.
288
numerator
the top or left number in a fraction.
289
nurses' station
work station for medical personnel located on a nursing unit.
290
obstructive jaundice
an obstruction of the bile duct that causes hepatic waste products and bile to accumulate in the liver.
291
off-label indication
a use of a medication for an indication not approved by the FDA.
292
oil-in-water emulsion
an emulsion in which oil is dispersed through a water base.
293
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA
| 90)
federal legislation requiring pharmacists to provide counseling to Medicaid patients on all new prescriptions.
294
online adjudication
the resolution of prescription coverage through the communication of the pharmacy computer with the third-party computer.
295
onset of action
the time MEC is reached and the response Occurs.
296
open formulary
a system that allows the pharmacy to purchase any prescribed medication.
297
ophthalmic
related to the eye.
298
"Orange Book"
the common name for the FDA's Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence.
299
osmosis
the action in which a drug in a higher concentration solution passes through a permeable membrane to a lower concentration solution.
300
osmotic pressure
a characteristic of a solution determined by the number of dissolved particles in it.
301
osseous tissue
the rigid portion of the bone tissue.
302
osteoarthritis
a disorder characterized by deterioration of weight-bearing bones, decreasing range of motion, and causing pain and deformity.
303
outpatient pharmacy
a pharmacy attached to a hospital that services patients who have left the hospital or who are visiting doctors in a hospital outpatient clinic.
304
over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
medications that do not require, but may be filled with, a prescription
305
panacea
a cure-all (from the Greek panakeia, same meaning).
306
par
amount of drug product that should be kept on the
| pharmacy shelf.
307
parenteral
a route of administration to any organ outside of the alimentary tract (e.g., ophthalmic, dermal).
308
passive diffusion
the movement of drugs from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration.
309
patient assistance programs
manufacturer sponsored prescription drug programs for the needy.
310
patient package inserts (PPIs)
manufacturer's FDA-approved patient product information included with the product package; required to be dispensed with specific products or classes of products such as oral contraceptives.
311
pediatric
having to do with the treatment of children.
312
percutaneous absorption
the absorption of drugs through the skin, often for a systemic effect.
313
peripheral nervous system
composed of the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.
314
peristalsis
the wavelike motion of the intestines that moves food through them.
315
peritoneal dialysis solution
a solution placed in and emptied from the peritoneal cavity to remove toxic substances.
316
perpetual inventory
a system that maintains a continuous record of every item in inventory so that it always shows the stock on hand.
317
personal inventory
an assessment of one's personal characteristics, skills, qualities, etc.
318
pH
the pH scale measures the acidity or the opposite
(alkalinity) of a substance. 7 is the neutral midpoint
of the scale, values below which represent increasing
acidity, and above which represent increasing alkalinity.
319
pharmaceutics
of or about drugs; also, a drug product.
320
pharmaceutical alternative
drug products that contain the same active ingredient, but not necessarily in the same salt form, amount, or dosage form.
321
pharmaceutical equivalent
drug products that contain identical amounts of the same active ingredient in the same dosage form
322
pharmacogenomics
a field of study that defines the hereditary basis of individual differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (the ADME processes).
323
pharmacology
the study of drugs-their properties, uses, application, and effects (from the Greek pharmakon: drug, and logos: word or thought).
324
pharmacopeia
an authoritative listing of drugs and issues related to their use.
325
pharmacy benefit managers
companies that administer drug benefit programs.
326
pharmacy satellite
a branch of the inpatient pharmacy responsible for preparing, dispensing, and monitoring medication for specific patient areas.
327
pharmacy technician informaticist
a technician that uses technology tools to support the management of information in a pharmacy.
328
piggybacks
small volume solutions connected to an LVP.
329
placebo
an inactive substance given in place of a medication.
330
pneumatic tube
a system that shuttles objects through a tube using compressed air as the force; commonly used in hospitals for delivery of medication.
331
point-of-sale (POS) system
an inventory system in which the item is deducted from inventory as it is sold or dispensed.
332
positional notation
a system used in Roman numerals whereby the position of the number signifies its mathematical value.
333
POS
a network of providers where the patient's primary care physician must be a member and costs outside the network may be partially reimbursed.
334
potentiation
when one drug with no inherent activity of its own increases the activity of another drug that produces an effect.
335
PPO
a network of providers where costs outside the network may be partially reimbursed and the patient's primary care physician need not be a member.
336
prefix
a modifying component of a term, located at the beginning of the term.
337
prescription
an instruction from a medical practitioner that authorizes a patient to be issued a drug or device.
338
prescription drug benefit cards cards
that contain third- party billing information for prescription drug purchases.
339
Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs)
third-party programs for Medicare Part D.
340
primary emulsion
the initial emulsion to which ingredients are added to create the final product.
341
primary literature
original materials including clinical trials, research studies and case reports.
342
prior authorization
a procedure to gain third-party coverage for a drug that is not automatically covered by a third-party plan.
343
PR order
an order for medication to be administered only on an as needed basis (e.g., 1 tablet every 4-6 hours as needed for pain).
344
product labeling
important associated information that is not on the the label of a drug product itself but is provided in the form of an insert, brochure, or other document.
345
professionals
individuals who receive extensive and advanced levels of education before being allowed to practice, such as physicians and pharmacists.
346
progesterone
a female sex characteristic hormone involved in ovulation prevention.
347
protease inhibitor
an antiviral used for HIV and hepatitis C that blocks the enzyme responsible for viral replication.
348
protected health information (PHI)
any personal information that could be used to identify an individual to their health history.
349
protein binding
the attachment of a drug molecule to a plasma or tissue protein, effectively making the drug inactive, but also keeping it within the body.
350
protocol
specific guidelines for practice.
351
punch method
a method for filling capsules by repeatedly pushing or, "punching," the capsule into an amount of drug powder.
352
purchase order number
the number assigned to each order for identification.
353
pyrogens
chemicals produced by microorganisms that can cause pyretic (fever) reactions in patients.
354
qs ad
the quantity needed to make a prescribed amount.
355
quality assurance (QA) program
series of procedures and reviews that produce quality preparations that can be compounded repeatedly.
356
ready-to-mix
a specially designed minibag where a drug is put into the SVP just prior to administration.
357
recall
the action taken to remove a drug from the market and have it returned to the manufacturer.
358
receptor
the cellular material located at the site of action that interacts with the drug.
359
reciprocal
two different fractions that equal 1 when added together.
360
reconstitute
addition of water or other diluent to commercially made drug bottles or vials in order to make a solution or suspension from a premade powder form of the drug. This may include oral or parenteral products.
361
Red Flag Rule
a set of provisions created by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help prevent identity theft from patient billing accounts maintained by medical
and financial institutions.
362
registration
a state agency has attested that the indi-
| vidual has been registered with the state.
363
relative bioavailability
the bioavailability of a drug product compared to the same drug in any other dosage form than a rapidly administered IV solution.
364
remission
a state in which cancer cells are inactive.
365
reorder points
minimum and maximum stock levels that determine when a reorder is placed and for how much.
366
rheumatoid arthritis
a disease in which the body's immune system attacks joint tissue.
367
Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS)
information and procedures that are required of manufacturers by the FDA for drugs with known risks.
368
root word
the base component of a term, which gives it a meaning that may be modified by other components.
369
safety caps
a child-resistant cap.
370
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
OSHA-required notices that provide information on the composition, handling, hazards, first aid, clean-up, and proper disposal procedures for chemicals and substances. (Formerly called Material Safety Data Sheets).
371
Schedule II drugs
drugs that have a high potential for abuse or addiction but that also have safe and accepted medical uses; they require special handling.
372
scope of practice
what individuals may and may not do in their jobs.
373
secondary literature
general reference works based upon primary literature sources; used to find primary literature.
374
selective (action)
the characteristic of a drug that makes its action specific to certain receptors and tissues.
375
sensitivity
the amount of weight that will move the balance pointer one division mark on the marker plate.
376
sentinel event
a patient safety event that results in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm.
377
serum glucose
blood sugar.
378
shaft
the stem of the needle that provides the overall
| length of the needle.
379
sharps needles
jagged glass or metal objects, or any items that might puncture or cut the skin.
380
shelf stickers
stickers with bar codes that can be scanned for inventory identification.
381
short stability
medication that will expire soon after preparation (e.g., within 1-6 hours after preparation).
382
signa
the directions for use on the prescription that must be printed on the prescription label.
383
signature log
a book or electronic signature capture technology that patients sign for the prescriptions they receive for legal and insurance purposes.
384
site of action
the location where an administered drug produces an effect.
385
Slip-Tip®, Luer-Lok®, eccentric, oral
different types of syringe tips.
386
skin
the largest organ of the body, composed of epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.
387
solution
a clear liquid made up of one or more substances dissolved in a solvent.
388
solvent
a liquid that dissolves another substance in it.
389
sonication
exposure to high-frequency sound waves.
390
sonophoresis
ultrasound combined with topical drug therapy to achieve therapeutic drug concentrations at target sites below the skin.
391
spatulation
mixing powders with a spatula.
392
sperm
produced by the male reproductive system; fertilizes eggs.
393
sprain
an injury resulting from stretched or torn ligaments.
394
stability
the the extent to which a dosage form retains the same properties and characteristics it possessed when it was made.
395
standard precautions
an infection control practice where healthcare providers avoid direct contact with blood, mucous membranes, body fluids, and non-intact skin by use of barriers such as gloves, goggles, gowns, and face shields.
396
standing order
a standard medication order for patients to receive medication at scheduled intervals.
397
STAT order
an order for medication to be administered immediately.
398
sterile
a sterile condition is one which is free of all microorganisms, both harmful and harmless.
399
strain
an injury to a muscle or tendon.
400
stratum corneum
the outermost cell layer of the epidermis.
401
sublingual
under the tongue.
402
suffix
a modifying component of a term located at the end of the term.
403
surgical anesthesia
the stage of anesthesia in which surgery can be safely conducted.
404
suspensions
formulations in which the drug does not completely dissolve in the liquid.
405
synergism
when two drugs with similar pharmacological actions produce greater effects than the sum of the individual effects.
406
synthetic
combining simpler chemicals into more complex compounds, creating a new chemical not found in
nature as a result.
407
syringeability
the ease with which a suspension can be drawn from a container into a syringe.
408
systemic effect
when a drug is introduced into the venous (circulatory) system and carried to the site of activity.
409
systolic pressure
the blood pressure as the heart is pumping blood into the cardiovascular system.
410
tech-check-tech
a program that allows a specially trained pharmacy technician to check medications prepared by another technician.
411
technicians
individuals who are given a basic level of
| training designed to help them perform specific tasks.
412
teratogenecity
the ability of a substance to cause abnormal fetal development when given to a pregnant woman.
413
tertiary literature
summarized and interpreted primary literature compiled into textbooks, compendia, review articles, and information found on the Internet.
414
testosterone
the primary androgen.
415
therapeutic equivalent
pharmaceutical equivalents that produce the same effects in patients.
416
therapeutic interchange
a policy approved by the hospital P&T Committee that allows the pharmacist to change a medication order to a therapeutically equivalent formulary medication.
417
therapeutic window
a drug's blood concentration range between its minimum effective concentration and minimum toxic concentration.
418
thickening agent
an ingredient used in the preparation of suspensions to increase the viscosity of the liquid.
419
340B Drug Pricing Program
a government plan that limits the cost safety-net providers pay for covered out-patient drug prescriptions.
420
thrombus
a blood clot.
421
tier
categories of medications that are covered by third-
| party plans.
422
topical hemostatics
drugs used for minor bleeding when sutures are not appropriate.
423
Torts drugs used for minor bleeding when
| sutures are not appropriate.
civil wrongs that have duties associated with them.
424
total nutrient admixture (TNA) solution
a TPN solution that contains intravenous fat emulsion.
425
total parenteral nutrition (TP)
solution complex solutions with two base solutions (amino acids and dextrose) and additional micronutrients.
426
trade journals
journals published commercially for pharmacists but not produced by the profession; they tend to contain large amounts of advertising material.
427
transaction window
counter area designated for taking written prescriptions and dispensing completed prescription products.
428
trituration
the process of grinding powders to reduce
| particle size.
429
turnover
the rate at which inventory is used, generally expressed in number of days.
430
tympanic membrane
the membrane that transmits sound waves to the inner ear.
431
unit dose/unit dose packaging
a package containing the amount of a drug required for one dose; a package containing a single dose of medication.
432
unit inspection
a review of a nursing unit to ensure compliance with hospital medication policies.
433
unit price
the price of a unit of medication, such as an ounce of liquid cold remedy.
434
universal claim form
a standard claim form accepted by many insurers.
435
uricosuric drugs
drugs used to treat gout that increase the elimination of uric acid.
436
usual and customary (U&C or UR)
the maximum amount of payment for a given prescription, determined by the insurer to be a usual and customary (and reasonable) price.
437
valence
the number of positive or negative charges on an ion.
438
variable
an unknown value in a mathematical equation.
439
vasodilators
drugs that relax and expand the blood vessels.
440
vertical airflow workstation
a laminar flow workstation with vertical airflow across the work area.
441
viable particles
particles that have microbial contamination associated with them.
442
viscosity
the thickness of a liquid. A measure of a liqid's resistance to flow.
443
volumetric
measures volume. Volumetric vessels are either TD (to deliver) or TC (to contain).
444
water-in-oil emulsion
an emulsion in which water is dispersed through an oil base.
445
water soluble
the property of a substance being able to dissolve in water.
446
waters of hydration
water molecules that attach to drug
| molecules.
447
wheal
a raised, blister-like area on the skin caused by an
| intradermal injection.
448
workers' compensation
an employer compensation program for employees accidentally injured on the job.
449
zone of turbulence
an area of blocked airflow in a laminar airflow workstation.
