Outcome 3.3 — Pharmaceutical Interventions (Patient-Centered Medication Use and Safety)

Pharmacology

The study of how drugs interact with living systems.

Drug

Any chemical substance that changes body function.

Medication

A drug used intentionally to prevent, diagnose, or treat disease.

Therapeutic effect

The intended, beneficial effect of a medication.

Side effect

A predictable, secondary effect that may be tolerable.

Adverse drug reaction (ADR)

A harmful or unpleasant reaction at normal doses.

Allergic reaction

An immune-mediated response that can be mild or life-threatening.

Contraindication

A reason not to use a drug.

Interaction

When one substance changes the effect of another substance.

Pharmacokinetics (PK)

What the body does to the drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Pharmacodynamics (PD)

What the drug does to the body, including how it binds to receptors and produces effects.

Therapeutic range

Blood concentration range where a drug is effective without being toxic.

Toxicity

Harmful effects from excessive drug exposure.

Tolerance

Decreased response to a drug over time requiring higher doses for the same effect.

Dependence

Withdrawal symptoms that occur if the drug is stopped.

Medication error

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

Generic name

The nonproprietary name shared across manufacturers.

Trade name

The name a company gives to a medication.

Controlled substance

A category of medications with potential for misuse.

Dosage form

The physical form of a medication, such as tablet, capsule, or liquid.

Administration route

The path through which a drug is given to a patient.

Reconstitution

The process of mixing a powdered drug with a diluent to prepare it for administration.

Drug storage

The conditions under which medications must be stored to remain safe.

Aseptic technique

A practice that prevents contamination during drug preparation and administration.

Medication reconciliation

The process of ensuring that a patient's medication lists are accurate and complete during transitions of care.

Electrolyte imbalance

A condition where the levels of electrolytes in the body are not within the normal range.