Pharmacy Vocab - Aztec Learning Software

These terms were taken from the Aztec learning software for Pharmacy Technician certification. This is made to study for the state-issued test.

Adjunct Therapy

in addition to another therapy

aggregation

forming into a cluster (clot)

agonist

a substance that binds to a receptor producing a similar response as the normal chemical that binds to that receptor

allergen

a substance that causes an allergic reaction

anacusia

not hearing

anal pruritis

itching near the anus, the external opening of the rectum

analgesia

absence of pain

analgesic

medication that relieves pain

androgenic

a male sex hormone

anemia

low level of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood

angioedema

rapid swelling, large welts, and pain in the mucous membranes and deepest layers of the skin; can be a sign of a severe allergic reaction

anorexia

without appetite

antagonist

binds to a receptor blocking a response

antiemetic

prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting

antipyretic

medication that reduces fever

aphasia

without speech

apnea

not breathing

arrhythmia

irregular heart rate

arteriosclerosis

an abnormal hardening of the arteries

arthralgia

pain in one or more joints

arthritis

the inflammation of a joint

assets

items the pharmacy owns, such as inventory, supplies, equipment, and furnishings

ataxia

a lack of muscle coordination

average wholesale price (AWP)

the average price at which the pharmacy purchases medications from a wholesaler

bacteriuria

bacteria in urine

body surface area

measurement calculated by using an individual's weight and height, expressed in meters squared and used to calculate a specific medication dose

bone resorption

removal of bone tissue by osteoclasts

bradycardia

slow heart rate

brand name

the name the manufacturer markets a medication under and registers as a trademark; also referred to as the trade name

bronchitis

inflammation of the bronchi

bronchoconstriction

tightening of the bronchus (airways in the lungs) causing wheezing and shortness of breath

buccal

pertaining to the cheek

candidiasis

infection caused by the candida fungus

cardiology

the study of the heart

Celsius

temperature scale where water freezes at zero and boils at 100 degrees

cholelithiasis

the formation of gallstones

clinical

relating to the observation and treatment of patients

colostomy

opening between the colon and abdominal wall

comorbidity

another medical condition, not necessarily related, but existing at the same time

compliance

taking medication as prescribed

conjunctival

pertaining to the conjunctiva

co-payment

the portion of the price of a medication that the patient must pay

days' supply

the number of days a medication will last a patient when taken as instructed on the prescription

DEA number

The number issued by the DEA to signify the authority to prescribe or handle controlled substances. The number is made up of two letters followed by seven digits; the last two are part of the checksum to check for DEA number validity

depreciation

accounting method that allows a decrease in value over time of a fixed asset the pharmacy owns

dermatomycosis

a fungal infection of the skin

dermatoplasty

the surgical repair of the skin

dialysis

mechanical filtering of the blood

diarrhea

a flow of fluid fecal matter through the bowel

diplopia

double vision

discount

the amount that is reduced from the original price

dose

the amount of a medication ordered, i.e., mg, units, mEq

drop factor

the number of drops that make up 1 mL of volume in an IV set

duration

length of time

dyskinesia

impaired voluntary muscle movement, especially jerky movements

dyslexia

difficulty processing words

dyslipidemia

abnormal concentration of one or more lipids in the blood

dyspepsia

discomfort or burning sensation in the upper abdomen

dysphagia

difficulty or discomfort swallowing

dysphonia

problem using the voice

dysphoria

feeling unhappy, uneasy, or dissatisfied

dyspnea

difficulty breathing or a labored breathing

dystonia

poor muscle tone

dysuria

painful or difficult urination

edema

when capillaries leak fluid (swelling)

electrocardiogram

record of the electrical impulses in the heart

encephalitis

the inflammation of the brain

endogenous

originates from within the body

enuresis

the involuntary discharge of urine

erythropenia

an abnormal decrease in red blood cells

exogenous

originates from outside the body

Fahrenheit

a temperature scale where water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees

generic name

the nonproprietary name of a medication, or the name which was approved by the FDA

glioma

a tumor of neuroglial tissue

glycosuria

an abnormal amount of glucose in the urine

gram

the basic unit of measure for weight in the metric system

gynecomastia

excessive breast development in a male

hematemesis

vomiting blood

hematoma

a blood tumor (clotted blood

hematopoiesis

the production and development of blood cells

hematuria

blood in the urine

hepatic

having to do with the liver

hepatitis

the inflammation of the liver

herpes zoster

shingles

hirsutism

excessive hair growth, may be an abnormal distribution

household measure

a system of measurements that uses household or kitchen measurements of volume and includes teaspoon, tablespoon, cup, pint, quart, and gallon

hypercalcemia

a high concentration of calcium in the blood

hypercapnia

excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream

hyperemesis

excessive vomiting

hyperglycemia

excess glucose in the blood

hyperkalemia

excess potassium in the blood

hyperkinesia

excessive movement

hyperlipidemia

an elevated level of lipids in the blood

hypertension

elevated blood pressure

hyperthyroidism

a condition of excessive thyroid gland function

hyperuricemia

excess uric acid in the blood

hypoglycemia

low levels of glucose in the blood

hypokalemia

a low concentration of potassium in the blood

hyponatremia

a low concentration of sodium in the blood

hypothyroidism

a condition of underactive thyroid gland function