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.