Meds/Test 121 FInal

Prednisolone (Prednisone)

Corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and suppresses immune responses; used in RA, allergies, and autoimmune disorders.

Celecoxib (Celebrex)

Selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAID that relieves pain and inflammation in RA and osteoarthritis.

Infliximab (Remicade)

Biologic DMARD that blocks TNF-alpha to decrease joint damage and inflammation in moderate-to-severe RA; given IV every 6–8 weeks.

Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)

First-line DMARD for RA; slows disease progression and also used as a chemotherapeutic and in other autoimmune diseases.

Ibuprofen

Non-selective NSAID for pain, inflammation, and fever control.

Aspirin

NSAID used for analgesia, antipyresis, and antiplatelet cardiovascular protection; GI risk limits RA use.

Morphine sulfate

Opioid analgesic for severe pain such as post-operative or cancer pain; oral or IV.

Ketorolac (Toradol)

Potent NSAID for short-term moderate-to-severe pain management, often post-surgery (oral, IM, IV).

Ketamine hydrochloride

Dissociative anesthetic used in surgery or emergency settings; also investigated for refractory depression.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Analgesic/antipyretic for mild-to-moderate pain and fever; lacks anti-inflammatory action.

Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet)

Combination that increases brain dopamine for Parkinson’s disease; carbidopa inhibits peripheral levodopa breakdown.

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Anticonvulsant used for neuropathic pain, partial seizures, and off-label anxiety or restless leg syndrome.

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Anticonvulsant for seizure prevention in epilepsy; requires serum-level monitoring.

Diazepam (Valium)

Benzodiazepine for anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures; IV form treats status epilepticus.

Lorazepam (Ativan) IV

Benzodiazepine first-line IV agent to stop status epilepticus.

Ondansetron (Zofran)

5-HT3 antagonist antiemetic that prevents nausea/vomiting post-op or during chemotherapy.

Omeprazole (Prilosec)

Proton pump inhibitor that decreases gastric acid for GERD, peptic ulcers, or NSAID-induced gastritis.

Sucralfate (Carafate)

Mucosal protectant that coats ulcers and gastric lining; often paired with acid suppression therapy.

Lactulose

Osmotic laxative that treats constipation and lowers serum ammonia in hepatic encephalopathy.

Finasteride (Proscar)

5-alpha-reductase inhibitor for BPH and male pattern baldness; shrinks prostate tissue.

Tamsulosin (Flomax)

Alpha-1 blocker that relaxes prostate/bladder neck muscles to improve urine flow in BPH.

Timolol (Timoptic) eye drops

Ophthalmic beta-blocker that decreases aqueous humor to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma.

Calcium supplements

Oral calcium (often with vitamin D) to maintain bone density and prevent/treat osteoporosis.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Non-invasive imaging using magnetic fields to visualize soft tissues, brain, spine, and joints.

X-ray

Radiographic imaging for bones, chest, or abdomen to detect fractures, infections, or lung pathology.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

Recording of brain electrical activity to diagnose seizures, epilepsy, or encephalopathy.

Bone scan

Nuclear medicine test using radioactive tracer to identify bone tumors, fractures, or infections.

Mammography

Low-dose breast X-ray used to screen for and diagnose breast cancer.

Carotid endarterectomy

Surgical removal of atherosclerotic plaque from carotid artery to prevent stroke.

Fasciotomy

Surgical incision of fascia to relieve compartment pressure and prevent ischemic damage.

Thymectomy

Removal of thymus gland, commonly for myasthenia gravis or thymoma.

ORIF (Open Reduction Internal Fixation)

Surgical realignment of fractures with internal hardware (plates, screws, pins).

Disc surgery/Laminectomy

Removal of herniated disc material or vertebral lamina to relieve spinal cord or nerve compression.

Cholecystectomy (open or laparoscopic)

Surgical removal of gallbladder for gallstones or cholecystitis; laparoscopic is minimally invasive.

Nissen fundoplication

Surgical wrapping of gastric fundus around esophagus to treat GERD or hiatal hernia.

Roux-en-Y procedure

Gastric bypass surgery creating small stomach pouch and rerouting intestines for weight loss or gastric cancer.

Balloon tamponade

Endoscopic balloon inflation in esophagus to compress varices and control acute bleeding temporarily.

TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt)

Radiologic creation of shunt between portal and hepatic veins to reduce portal hypertension complications.

IPAA (Ileoanal Pouch Anastomosis)

Creates ileal pouch to restore bowel continuity after colectomy, often for ulcerative colitis.

TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)

Endoscopic removal of prostate tissue via urethra to relieve BPH obstruction.

Cataract surgery

Extraction of clouded lens with implantation of an artificial intraocular lens to restore vision.

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)

Endoscopic and fluoroscopic procedure to diagnose/treat biliary or pancreatic duct disorders.

EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy)

Endoscopic visualization of upper GI tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum) for ulcers, GERD, or tumors.

Colonoscopy

Endoscopic examination of colon and rectum to detect polyps, cancer, or IBD; enables biopsy/removal.

Lumbar puncture

Needle insertion into subarachnoid space to collect CSF for diagnosing meningitis, MS, or hemorrhage.

Paracentesis

Needle drainage of peritoneal fluid to relieve or diagnose ascites, often due to cirrhosis.

Bladder irrigation

Continuous or intermittent flushing of bladder via catheter to remove clots, mucus, or debris, especially post-TURP.

Creatine kinase (CK)

Serum enzyme elevated with muscle injury, myocardial infarction, or rhabdomyolysis.

Anti-CCP (Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide)

Highly specific antibody marker for rheumatoid arthritis; predicts severe disease course.

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Non-specific acute-phase protein elevated in systemic inflammation, infection, or cardiovascular risk.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (Sed rate/ESR)

Non-specific test that measures inflammation by red cell settling speed in plasma.

Albumin level

Blood protein reflecting liver function, nutritional status, and oncotic pressure; low in malnutrition or liver disease.

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)

Liver enzyme elevated in hepatocellular injury, also found in heart and muscle; less liver-specific than ALT.

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)

Liver-specific enzyme elevated in hepatitis, cirrhosis, or drug toxicity.

Bilirubin

Hemoglobin breakdown product; elevated causes jaundice and indicates hepatic or biliary dysfunction.

Amylase

Pancreatic enzyme elevated in acute pancreatitis but clears quickly; also produced by salivary glands.

Lipase

Pancreatic enzyme more specific and longer-lasting than amylase for diagnosing pancreatitis.

Ammonia level

Serum marker elevated in hepatic encephalopathy due to impaired ammonia metabolism by diseased liver.

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)

Serum glycoprotein used to screen for prostate cancer and monitor BPH or prostatitis.