Chapter 12: Principles of Pharmacology

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering pharmacology terminology, medication administration routes, and specific emergency medications as detailed in Chapter 12.

Pharmacology

The field of science that deals with the study of drugs and medications.

Medication

A substance used to prevent or treat disease or relieve pain.

Pharmacodynamics

The process by which a medication works on the body.

Agonist

A medication that causes stimulation of receptors.

Antagonist

A medication that binds to a receptor and blocks other medications or chemicals.

Dose

The amount of medication given.

Action

The therapeutic effect that a medication is expected to have on the body.

Pharmacokinetics

The actions of the body upon the medication or chemical, including onset of action, duration, elimination, and peak.

Indications

The reasons or conditions for which a particular medication is given.

Contraindications

Circumstances under which a medication should not be given because it would be harmful to the patient; can be absolute or relative.

Adverse effects

Any unintended effects of a medication.

Untoward effects

Effects of a medication that are unintended and can be harmful to the patient.

Generic name

A simple, clear, nonproprietary name for a drug; for example, ibuprofen.

Trade name

The manufacturer's brand name for a drug; for example, Tylenol.

Enteral medications

Medications that enter the body through the digestive system.

Parenteral medications

Medications that enter the body by some means other than the digestive system.

Absorption

The process by which medications travel through body tissues to the bloodstream.

Per rectum (PR)

A route of administration by rectum; commonly used with children or for medications that cannot be taken by mouth.

Oral or per os (PO)

A route of administration by mouth; the medication must be absorbed through the mucous membranes to reach the circulatory system.

Intravenous (IV)

An injection directly into the vein; it is the fastest acting of all medication administration routes.

Intraosseous (IO)

An injection directly into the bone.

Subcutaneous (SC)

An injection into the tissue layer beneath the skin.

Intramuscular (IM)

An injection into the muscle; provides stable blood flow and quick access without using a vein.

Inhalation

A route where medication is inhaled into the lungs so it can be absorbed into the bloodstream near the site of desired action.

Sublingual (SL)

A route where medication is placed under the tongue for quick absorption.

Transcutaneous (transdermal)

A route where medication is absorbed through the skin, such as a patch; may have systemic effects.

Intranasal (IN)

A route where medication is pushed into the nostril via a mucosal atomizer device.

Capsules

Gelatin shells filled with powdered or liquid medication.

Tablets

Medications that contain materials mixed with the drug and compressed into a solid form.

Solution

A liquid mixture of substances that will not separate by filtering or letting it stand.

Suspension

A substance that does not dissolve well in liquids and will separate if it stands or is filtered.

Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)

A device that directs liquid or solid particles through the mouth into the lungs, delivering the same amount of medication each time.

Topical medications

Lotions, creams, and ointments applied to the skin surface to affect only that specific area.

Gels

Semiliquid substances administered in capsules or through plastic tubes; an example is oral glucose.

Oral glucose

A sugar that cells use for energy; used to treat hypoglycemia when the patient is conscious and able to swallow.

Aspirin

A medication that reduces fever, pain, and inflammation, and inhibits platelet aggregation; useful during a heart attack.

Nitroglycerin

A vasodilator used to relieve angina pain by increasing blood flow and relaxing veins; should not be given if systolic blood pressure is less than $100\,mm\,Hg$.

Epinephrine

Also called adrenaline; a sympathomimetic that increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, and causes bronchodilation for treating life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Naloxone

A medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, commonly administered via the intranasal route.

Adsorption

The process of binding of one chemical to another; for example, how activated charcoal binds to toxins in the stomach to delay absorption.