Med Aide Training Vocabulary Study Guide

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering pharmacology concepts from Med Aide Training Chapters 15 through 29, including drug classes, medical conditions, and clinical terminology.

Barbiturate

A drug that suppresses the central nervous system (CNS), respirations, blood pressure, and temperature; can range from mild sedation to coma and death.

Homeostasis

The balance of the body's internal environment.

Hypnotic

A drug that produces sleep.

Neuron

The basic nerve cell of the nervous system.

Sedative

A drug that quiets a person for relaxation and rest.

Synapse

The junction between neurons.

Anti-cholinergic drug

Blocks or slows down the release of acetylcholine; effects include pupil dilation, dry secretions, decreased bowel motility, increased heart rate, and decreased sweating.

Parkinson's disease

A disorder caused by not having enough dopamine in the brain; treated with dopamine agonists which may cause orthostatic hypotension.

Beta blockers

Drugs that cause dilation of blood vessels; used for heart attacks, angina, dysrhythmias, and hyperthyroidism, but used with caution in respiratory disease as they can constrict bronchi.

Benzodiazepines

Drugs used to produce mild sedation and sleep; examples include Xanax, Librium, Tranxene, Valium, Ativan, and Serax; can cause high fall risk.

Drugs for Alzheimer's disease

Aricept and Namenda.

Anxiolytics

Drugs used for anxiety, such as benzodiazepines.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Antidepressants that block the reabsorption of serotonin to improve mood; includes Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, and others.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Used for depression and other conditions like phantom limb pain, cancer pain, nerve pain, eating disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, and arthritis.

Antimanic drugs

Used to treat bipolar disease (manic-depression); example is Lithium.

Antipsychotics

Used to treat psychosis (delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, schizophrenia); drugs include Thorazine, Haldol, Abilify, and Risperdal; can cause involuntary body movements.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs

A class of antidepressants that should not be taken with aged cheese or beer.

mcg

$$\text{microgram}$$

OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Anticonvulsants (antiepileptic drugs)

Used to treat epilepsy (seizures); examples include Dilantin, Tegretol, and gabapentin; most cause sedation.

Kg

$$\text{Kilogram}$$

Analgesic

A substance that relieves pain.

Drug tolerance

When a person needs more and higher doses of a drug to treat their pain.

Euphoria

An exaggerated feeling or state of physical or mental well-being.

Opiate or opioid

Drugs containing opium used for pain, such as codeine, morphine, and fentanyl; side effects include confusion, constipation, and respiratory depression.

Narcan and Vivitrol

Drugs used to reverse the effects of opiates.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Include Celebrex, Ibuprofen, and Naprosyn; should be given with food or milk.

Dyslipidemia

Abnormal blood fats (lipids).

Triglycerides

Fats derived from animals or vegetable fats.

g

$$\text{gram}$$

CAD

Coronary artery disease.

Niacin

A vasodilator that limits the liver's ability to produce LDL cholesterol and increases blood flow.

LDL

Considered the 'bad cholesterol'.

HDL

Considered the 'good cholesterol'.

Aldosterone

A substance that causes the kidneys to retain sodium.

Angiotensin

A substance that causes blood vessels to constrict, increases BP, and triggers the release of aldosterone.

Blood pressure

The amount of pressure against the walls of any artery by the blood.

Hypertension

High blood pressure.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure.

Diuresis or Diuretic drugs

Promotes the excretion of urine; should be given by mid-afternoon to prevent nighttime urination.

ACE inhibitors

Reduce BP by blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Calcium-Channel Blockers

Stop the movement of calcium ions across a cell membrane to regulate nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and heart function.

Anti-dysrhythmic agents

Drugs used to prevent or correct abnormal heart rhythms; examples include Quinidine and Digoxin.

Diastole

The resting phase of the heartbeat when the heart chambers fill with blood.

Systole

The working phase of the heart when it contracts to push blood through vessels.

Hemorrheologic agent

Prevents the clumping of red blood cells and platelets; example is Trental.

Vasospasm

Sudden contraction of a blood vessel causing blood constriction.

CHF

Congestive heart failure; treated with vasodilators, inotropic drugs, and diuretics.

Inotropic

Drugs that stimulate the force of the contraction of the heart.

Angina

Chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

Nitrates (nitroglycerin)

Most common drugs for angina; stored in brown glass because they are light sensitive; common side effect is headache.

Sublingual drugs

Administered only under the tongue; may cause a stinging or burning sensation.

Loop diuretics

Inhibit reabsorption of sodium and chloride to increase diuresis; example is Lasix; check weight daily.

Potassium-sparing diuretics

Drugs that excrete sodium but retain potassium; example is Spironolactone.

Anticoagulants

Drugs used to prevent blood clots, often called 'blood thinners'; example is Warfarin (Coumadin).

Thrombus

A blood clot.

Embolus

A small part of a thrombus that breaks off and travels through the bloodstream.

Ischemia

Decreased supply of oxygenated blood to a body part.

Infarction

A local area of tissue death.

Platelet inhibitors

Drugs used to decrease blood clots and prevent clumping, such as Aspirin and Plavix.

DVT

Deep vein thrombosis; a large clot in a large vein.

PE

Pulmonary embolism; a blood clot that has traveled to the lungs.

TIA

Transient ischemic attack; a small warning stroke.

Antihistamines

Used to control histamine and help with allergic reactions.

Antitussives

Drugs that suppress coughing.

Bronchodilators

Drugs that dilate the bronchus of the lung, such as albuterol and ventolin.

Decongestants

Decrease mucus by vasoconstriction of the nose mucosa.

Expectorants

Drugs that help liquefy mucus to assist in coughing it up.

Mucolytic agents

Drugs that decrease the stickiness and thickness of mucus.

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; includes asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Rhinorrhea

A runny nose.

O2

$$\text{Oxygen}$$

CO2

$$\text{Carbon dioxide}$$

Inhalant Corticosteroids

Steroid meds like Qvar or Flovent; can cause oral thrush, requiring the person to rinse their mouth after use.

Antacids

Neutralize hydrochloric acid from the stomach; examples include Maalox and Tums; can cause diarrhea or constipation.

Coating agents

Drugs that coat the stomach for someone with an ulcer; example is Carafate.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Inhibit gastric acid from parietal cells; includes Nexium and Prilosec; capsules must be swallowed whole.

PUD

Peptic ulcer disease.

Laxatives

Drugs that cause evacuation of the bowel; example is Dulcolax.

Stool softeners

Drugs like Colace that prevent straining by softening hard stool.

Hyperglycemia

High blood sugar.

Hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar.

Thyroid drugs

Includes Synthroid and Levoxyl; should be taken on an empty stomach within $45$ minutes before a meal.

Corticosteroids

Hormones secreted by the adrenal gland.

Gonads

Reproductive glands.