Ch. 14/16 Vocab Words

Absorption

the process by which medications travel through body tissues until they reach the blood-stream.

Action

The therapeutic effect of a medications on the body.

Metered-dose Inhaler (MDI)

a miniature spray canister through which droplets or particles of medication may be inhaled.

Subcutaneous (SC) injection

injection into the tissue b/w the skin & muscle. (under the skin) Route of administration.

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA)

a medication that reduces fever, pain, & inflammation& inhibits platelet aggregation

Contraindications

Conditions that make a particular medication or Tx inappropriate, ex a condition in which a medication should not be given because it could actually harm the patient like ASA to someone who is bleeding.

antipyretic

a medication that is an reduces fever

Epinephrine

a mediations that increases heart rate & blood pressure but also eases breathing problems by decreasing muscle tone of the bronchiole tree.

Nitroglycerin

(also known as glycerol trinitrate {GTN})a medication that increases cardiac perfusion (increases blood flow) by causing arteries to dilate.  Relieves angina pain

Generic Name

the original chemical name of a medication it is never capitalized

Hypoglycemia

An abnormally low blood glucose level

Indications

The therapeutic uses for a specific medication

anti-coagulant

an inhibitor of platelet aggregation (clumping)

Suspension

a mixture of ground particles that are distributed evenly throughout a liquid but do not dissolve.

Side effects

any effects of a medication other than the desired ones

Transcutaneous

through the skin; a route of administration

Activated Charcoal

An oral medication that binds & absorbs ingested toxins in the GI tract for Tx of some poisonings & medication overdoses.

analgesic

pain reliever

Solution

a liquid mixture that cannot be separated by filtering or allowing the mixture to stand.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

another name for a heart attack.

Transdermal medications

medications that are designed to be absorbed through the skin. Usually comes in a patch form.

Sublingual (SL)

under the tongue. Route of administration.

per rectum (PR)

medical abbreviation meaning by rectum.  Route of administration

Pharmacology

the study of the properties & effects of medications.

Topical medication

lotions, creams, & ointments that are applied to the surface of the skin & affect only that area; Route of administration.

adsorption

the process of binding or sticking to a surface.  To draw into

Per os (PO)

medical abbreviation meaning by mouth, same as oral. Route of administration

Croup

An infectious disease of the upper respiratory system that may cause partial airway obstruction and is characterized by a barking cough; usually seen in children.

Hypoxic Drive

Backup system to control respirations when oxygen levels fall.

Embolus

A blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes blockage.

Pulmonary Embolism

A blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow

Common Cold

A viral infection usually associated with swollen nasal mucous membranes and the production of fluid from the sinuses and nose.

Rhonchi

Coarse breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the airways

Dyspnea

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Hyperventilation

Rapid or deep breathing that lowers blood carbon dioxide levels below normal.

COPD

A slow process of dilation and disruption of the airways and alveoli, caused by chronic bronchial obstruction.

Crackles

Crackling, rattling breath sounds signaling fluid in the air spaces of the lungs.

Pneumonia

An infectious disease of the lung that damages lung tissue

Carbon DioxideRetention

A condition characterized by a chronically high blood level of carbon dioxide in which the respiratory center no longer responds to high blood levels of carbon dioxide.

Epiglotitis

An infectious disease in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause upper airway obstruction.

Allergen

A substance that causes an allergic reaction

Asthma

A disease of the lungs in which muscle spasm in the small air passageways and the production of large amounts of mucus with swelling of the mucus lining of the respiratory passages result in airway obstruction

SARS

Potentially life-threatening viral infection that usually starts with flu-like symptoms

Chronic Bronchitis

Irritation of the major lung passageways, from either infectious disease or irritants such as smoke

Diptheria

An infectious disease in which a membrane forms, lining the pharynx; this lining can severely obstruct the passage of air into the larynx.

Pleuritic Angina

Sharp, stabbing pain in the chest that is worsened by a deep breath or other chest wall movement; often caused by inflammation or irritation of the pleura.

Pulmonary Edema

A buildup of fluid in the lungs, usually as a result of congestive heart failure

Pneumothorax

A partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space

Hypoxia

A condition in which the body''s cells and tissues do not have enough oxygen

Pleural Effusion

A collection of fluid between the lung and chest wall that may compress the lung.

Emphysema

A disease of the lungs in which there is extreme dilation and eventual destruction of pulmonary alveoli with poor exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide; it is one form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Wheezing

A high-pitched, whistling breath sound, characteristically heard on expiration in patients with asthma or COPD

Stridor

A harsh, high-pitched, barking inspiratory sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction.