Medical Assistant Chapter 28: Principles of Pharmacology

addiction

A disease that occurs when a person cannot stop or limit the use of a drug, even after negative consequences have been experienced.

analgesic

A drug that reduces or eliminates pain.

antiarrhythmic

A drug that prevents or alleviates heart arrhythmias.

antibiotic

A drug that destroys or inhibits the growth of bacteria.

anticoagulant

A substance (i.e., medication or chemical) that prevents the clotting of blood.

anticonvulsant

A drug used to prevent or treat seizures.

antihistamine

A drug that counteracts the effects of histamine.

anti-inflammatory

A medication that prevents or reduces inflammation.

antimalarial

A drug used to treat or prevent malaria.

antiseptic

A substance that inhibits the growth of microorganisms on living tissue (e.g., alcohol and povidone-iodine solution [Betadine]).

controlled substances

A behavior-altering or addictive drug or chemical substance whose possession and use are prohibited by or regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act.

form

Physical characteristics of a medication (e.g., tablet and suspension).

metabolites

By-products of drug metabolism.

National Provider Identifier (NPI)

An identifier assigned by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that classifies the healthcare provider by license and medical specialties.

psychiatrists

Medical doctors who have been specially trained to diagnose and treat patients with mental, emotional, and behavioral conditions.

reconciling

Comparing a document with another document to ensure that they are consistent.

side effects

Unpleasant effects of a drug in addition to the desired or therapeutic effect.

therapeutic range

The blood concentrations of a medication that are high enough to produce the drug's therapeutic effect.

toxicity

The harmful and deadly effect of a medication that can develop due to the buildup of medication or by-products in the body.