Fundamentals of Nursing: Medication Administration

A series of flashcards to help students review key terms and definitions related to medication administration in nursing.

Absorption

The passage of a drug from the administration site into the bloodstream.

Adverse Effects

Severe, unintended, unwanted, and often unpredictable drug reactions that may require immediate intervention.

Allergic Reactions

Unpredictable immune responses caused by antibody reactions to antigens, often resulting in rashes or swelling.

Anaphylactic Reaction

A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction characterized by sudden onset of bronchiolar constriction and edema.

Antagonism

A drug interaction in which the effect of one drug is decreased or blocked by another substance.

Buccal

A route of medication administration where the medication is placed between the cheek and gum.

Controlled Substances

Drugs with potential for abuse or dependency, regulated under the Controlled Substances Act.

Distribution

The process of delivering a medication to tissues and organs after it has been absorbed.

Drug

Any substance that positively or negatively alters physiological function.

Drug Incompatibility

A chemical or physical reaction that occurs when medications are mixed together, causing adverse effects.

Excretion

The process by which the body eliminates a drug and its metabolites, primarily through the kidneys.

Generic Name

The official, non-proprietary name of a drug assigned by the U.S. Adopted Names Council.

Half-Life

The expected time for the blood concentration of a drug to decrease to one-half of the original dose.

Idiosyncratic Reaction

An unexpected and unpredictable drug response that is individual to a specific patient.

Inhalation

A route of medication administration where the drug is breathed into the lungs for rapid absorption.

Intradermal

A route of parenteral medication where a small amount is injected between skin layers.

Intramuscular (IM)

A route of parenteral medication administration where medication is injected into muscle tissue.

Intravenous (IV)

A route of medication administration in which medication is delivered directly into a vein.

Medication

A drug administered for its therapeutic effect on physiological function.

Medication Error

Any preventable event that may cause inappropriate medication use or patient harm.

Medication Interactions

Alterations in a drug's action when taken with another substance, affecting the desired effect.

Metabolism

The biochemical process by which the body breaks down a drug into compounds for excretion.

NPO

A Latin abbreviation meaning 'nothing by mouth,' indicating a patient cannot eat or drink.

Onset of Action

The time it takes for the body to respond to a drug after it has been administered.

Oral

A route of medication administration where the drug is taken through the mouth.

Parenteral

A route of medication administration that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract through injection.

Peak Plasma Level

The highest serum concentration of a drug, reached when absorption is complete.

Pharmacodynamics

The process by which a medication interacts with the body's cells to produce a response.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how a medication enters, moves through, and leaves the body encompassing ADME.

Prescription

A written or electronic order from a health care provider directing the preparation and administration of a medication.

Side Effects

Predictable but unwanted reactions to a medication occurring even at therapeutic doses.

Six Rights of Medication Administration

A safety framework ensuring correct medication giving, involving patient, medication, dose, route, time, and documentation.

Subcutaneous

A route of parenteral medication administration where injection is made into the subcutaneous tissue.

Sublingual

A route where the drug is placed under the tongue for rapid absorption into the bloodstream.

Synergistic Effect

A drug interaction where the combined effect of substances is greater than their individual effects.

Therapeutic Effect

The intended, desired result or action of a medication.

Topical

A route of medication administration where the drug is applied directly to the skin or mucous membranes.

Toxic Effects

Serious physiologic effects from a medication overdose or accumulation in the blood.

Trade Name

The registered brand name assigned to a medication by the manufacturer.

Transdermal Patch

A specialized delivery system allowing medication to be absorbed slowly through the skin.

Trough

The lowest serum concentration of a medication measured before the next dose.