CMA Key Terms Flashcards

Flashcards with key vocabulary terms and definitions from the lecture notes.

Absorption

In pharmacology, how a drug moves from where it is administered to the bloodstream; in more general terms, refers to the transfer of nutrients from the intestines to the cells.

Abuse

Purposeful mistreatment that causes physical, mental, or emotional pain or injury to someone.

Accumulations

In pharmacology, a situation in which medication builds up in the body faster than it can be broken down, potentially causing unwanted side effects.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

The final stage of HIV infection, characterized by tumors and central nervous system symptoms due to a weakened immune system.

Active ingredients

The chemical component of a medication that works to relieve a condition.

Acute otitis media

Infection of the middle ear.

Addition

A drug interaction in which the combined effects of two drugs equal the sum of the effects of each drug alone.

Administers

In pharmacology, the process of giving a drug to a person.

Adverse drug reaction (ADR)

A negative reaction to a drug; may be known and predictable or unique to the person taking the drug.

Aerosol

A fine spray or mist containing particles suspended in a gas.

Aerosolize

To break apart into particles small enough to be suspended in the air.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

A condition in which the macula gradually deteriorates, causing vision loss and problems such as the inability to recognize faces, drive, read, and write.

Allergic reactions

A situation in which the body's immune system overreacts to a substance that would normally not cause an immune response; sometimes called hypersensitivity.

Anaphylactic reaction

A dangerous allergic reaction to a medication or other substances; may cause swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat that can obstruct the airway; also called anaphylaxis.

Angina

Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort.

Antagonism

A drug interaction in which the action of one drug decreases or cancels the effects of the other drug.

Anxiety

Uneasiness, worry, or fear, often about a situation or condition.

Aseptic

Free from pathogens

Assess

In medication administration, to make a medical determination about a resident's response to a drug; this is a nurse's or doctor's role.

Asthma

A chronic inflammatory disease that causes difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing.

Atelectasis

A condition in which a lung becomes blocked and unable to expand as it should.

Atherosclerosis

A hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels.

Atopic Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin not related to contact with an irritant; also called eczema.

Autoimmune condition

A condition in which the body's immune system attacks normal tissues in the body.

Benign tumor

A tumor that is considered noncancerous.

Bipolar disorder

A type of mood disorder that causes mood swings, changes in energy levels and the ability to function, periods of extreme activity, and periods of extreme depression.

Blister pack

A medication dosing system in which multiple doses of a medication are sealed separately on a card with foil backing; also called bubble pack, punch card, or bingo card.

Body mass index (BMI)

A measurement related to a person's height and weight that can affect how the body processes and absorbs medications.

Boxed warning

An FDA-required notification of serious and potentially life-threatening side effects or adverse effects related to a drug; also called a black box warning.

Brand name

The name of a drug used for marketing by the drug's manufacturer.

Bronchitis

Irritation and inflammation of the lining of the bronchi.

Buccal tablet

A tablet placed between the cheek and gums to dissolve and absorb through the lining of the mouth.

Cancer

General term to describe a disease in which abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way.

Candidiasis

Overgrowth of the fungus candida on or in the body.

Caplets

Oblong or oval tablet with a smooth finish for easy swallowing.

Capsule

A form of medication made of hard or soft gelatin with powdered, granulated, or liquid medication inside.

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

A condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel leaks or ruptures within the brain; also called stroke.

Cirrhosis

Disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue.

Clinical effect

The effect of a drug on a specific person

Congestive Heart Failure

A condition in which the heart muscle is damaged and is no longer able to pump effectively.

Constipation

The inability to eliminate stool, or the infrequent, difficult, and often painful elimination of a hard, dry stool.

Contact Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin caused by contact with an irritant.

Contraindication

Reason a medication should not be taken or should be taken with caution.

Controlled Release

Medication designed for continuous release over time.

Controlled substance

A drug that is more likely than others to be abused or cause addiction.

Convert

In medication administration, to change the amount of medication from one measuring system to another.

Cross tolerance

A situation in which a patient develops tolerance to a drug because they have already developed tolerance to another drug in the same drug class.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Condition in which a blood clot forms deep under the skin, usually in the legs.

Diabetes

A condition in which the pancreas produces too little insulin or does not properly use insulin.

Dialysis

An artificial means of removing the body's waste products when the kidneys are no longer able to function properly.

Digestion

The process of preparing food physically and chemically so that it can be absorbed into the cells.

Dispense

In health care, to provide a prescribed medication (e.g. from a pharmacy)

Distribution

In pharmacology, how a drug moves from the bloodstream to the tissues of the body.

Dosage

The amount of medication to be taken at one time.

Dosage Ranges

The maximum and minimum doses to achieve the desired effects of a drug, determined during clinical trials.

Drops

A very small amount of liquid, given by dropper.

Drug-Disease interaction

A situation in which a health condition affects how a drug works in a person's body.

Drug-Drug Interaction

A situation in which one drug changes the effect of another.

Drug Tolerance

A situation in which a patient no longer receives the same effect from the same dose of medication.

Elimination

The process of expelling waste (made up of the waste products of food and fluids) that are not absorbed into cells.

Enteric-coated tablet

A tablet coated in a thin film that protects it from stomach acids, allowing it to pass through the stomach before becoming active.

Excretion

In pharmacology, how a drug exits the body.

Gastritis

Inflammation or irritation of the lining of the stomach.

Gastroenteritis

Irritation or inflammation of the intestines.

Generic name

The name of a drug that relates to the chemicals in its active ingredients.

Glucose

Natural sugar

Histamines

Substances that are part of the body's immune response.

Hypercholesterolemia

High cholesterol

Hypertension (HTN)

High blood pressure

Hypertensive emergency

Systolic blood pressure greater than 180mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure greater than 120 mm Hg

Hypotension

Low blood pressure

Idiosyncratic drug reaction

A type of reaction that cannot be predicted and is not related to the dose or to the known effects of the drug.

Inhalation route

Administration route in which medication is inhaled through the mouth to reach the lungs.

Injection

A method of putting medication into the body using a hollow needle.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how drugs are processed

Photosensitivity

Increased sensitivity to sunlight, may be caused by some common medications

Policy

A course of action that should be taken every time a certain situation occurs

Potentiation

A drug interaction in which the action of one drug increases the effects of the other drug or makes its effects last longer

Powder

A form of medication that may be used externally (applied to the skin) or mixed into liquid.

Prescribe

To order a medication; only physicians and other qualified practitioners can prescribe medications

Prescription drug

A medication that must be ordered by a physician or other qualified practitioner.

Prime

In medication administration, to prepare a metered dose inhaler or nasal spray for use by pumping it once or twice to remove excess air.

PRN

Abbreviation meaning As Needed.

Procedure

A method or way of doing something.

Rectal route

Administration route in which medication is placed into the rectum through the anus

Residents' Rights

Rights related to how residents must be treated while living in a facility; they provide an ethical code of conduct for healthcare workers.

Respiration

The process of inhaling air into the lungs and exhaling air out of the lungs.

Route of Administration

The path that gets a drug into the body.

Scope of practice

Defines the task that healthcare providers are legally allowed to do as permitted by the state or federal law.

Scored

For a medication, marked with a groove to make splitting easier.

Sedation

A general relaxation of the body.

Setup

In medication administration, the process of preparing medications for administration.

Side effects

Changes caused by a medication that do not relate to its intended purpose.

Solution

A solid, liquid, or gas dissolved in a liquid.

Souffle cup

A small paper cup used for medication administration.

Spacer

A plastic holding chamber attached to a metered dose inhaler to allow more time for medication to be inhaled; also called an inhalation chamber.

Spray

A liquid pushed through the air in tiny drops; may be sprayed into the nose or onto another part of the body.

Stat

In medical facilities, a designation of urgency.

Stock medication

Over-the-counter medication kept in a facility for PRN use; some states allow facilities to also have a stock of certain prescription medications to be administered by a doctor's order in emergency situations.

Sublingual (SL) tablet

A tablet placed under the tongue to dissolve and absorb through the lining of the mouth.