14. General Pharmacology

action

What a drug does to the body

acute medication

Drug taken to treat a sudden or immediate symptom

administration

The process of giving a medication to a patient

chronic medication

Drug taken regularly to manage a long-term condition

contraindications

Reasons a medication should NOT be given to a patient

dose

The specific amount of medication to be given

drug

Any substance that changes body function when taken

form

The physical type of medication (pill/liquid/patch/inhaler etc.)

indications

Reasons a medication IS appropriate to give

medication

A drug used to treat or prevent illness

metered-dose inhaler (MDI)

A pressurized handheld inhaler that delivers a measured dose of medication into the lungs

pharmacology

The study of drugs and how they affect the body

polypharmacy

When a patient takes multiple medications at the same time

route

The way a medication enters the body (oral/inhaled/injected etc.)

side effects

Unintended effects of a medication beyond its desired action

small-volume nebulizer (SVN)

A device that converts liquid medication into a mist for inhalation over several minutes

Oxygen

Treatment for hypoxia, hypoxemia, respiratory distress, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Oral Glucose

Used to increase blood sugar in patients with hypoglycemia.

Activated Charcoal

Used for ingested poisons; it adsorbs toxins in the stomach to prevent absorption into the body.

Nitroglycerin

Used for patients with chest pain or suspected cardiac compromise to dilate blood vessels.

Nitroglycerin Spray

A spray form of nitroglycerin used for rapid relief of cardiac

Epinephrine

The primary treatment for anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) to reverse bronchoconstriction and hypotension.

albuterol

A Beta2 agonist used for bronchodilation in patients with wheezing or respiratory distress.

Levalbuterol

A bronchodilator used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease.

Naloxone

A pure opioid antagonist used to reverse CNS and respiratory depression caused by an opioid overdose.

Ipratropium bromide / Atrovent

An anticholinergic bronchodilator used for the maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD or asthma.

Aspirin

Administered for its antiplatelet effects in patients suspected of having acute coronary syndrome or a heart attack.