Pharmacology Chapters 1–5 Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key pharmacology concepts, drug schedules, administration routes, reactions, prescription parts, and regulatory terms from Chapters 1–5.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of how drugs act on and interact with living organisms to produce a therapeutic effect.

Topical Drug

Medication applied to skin or mucous membranes that produces a local effect.

Systemic Drug

Medication that enters the bloodstream and acts on one or more body systems.

Ointment Application Rule

Apply to clean, dry skin; assess for tattoos or scars that may reduce absorption.

Schedule I Drug

Substance with no accepted medical use and highest abuse potential (e.g., heroin, LSD).

Schedule II Drug

High-abuse-potential drug with accepted medical use; severe dependence risk (e.g., oxycodone, cocaine).

Schedule III Drug

Moderate abuse potential, less than Schedules I & II (e.g., anabolic steroids, codeine with Tylenol).

Schedule IV Drug

Low abuse potential but still controlled (e.g., Xanax, Valium, Ambien).

Schedule V Drug

Lowest abuse potential; limited quantities of certain narcotics (e.g., cough syrup with codeine).

DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)

Federal agency regulating manufacture and distribution of controlled substances.

Controlled Substance Act (1970)

Law that created the DEA and established drug schedules for controlled substances.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Law requiring accurate labeling of drugs to prevent substitution or mislabeling.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; ensures safe, healthful working conditions.

STAT Order

Medication order to be administered immediately.

PRN Order

Medication order to give a drug "as needed."

NOW Order

Medication to be given quickly, but less urgent than STAT.

Standing Order

Pre-approved routine order for specific conditions (e.g., antacid for heartburn).

One-Time/Single Order

Medication to be administered only once.

Enteral Route

Drug delivery through the gastrointestinal tract.

Oral (PO)

Medication taken by mouth and swallowed.

Sublingual (SL)

Drug placed under the tongue for rapid absorption.

Buccal Route

Drug held between cheek and gum for absorption.

Rectal (PR)

Drug administered into the rectum, commonly as suppository.

Parenteral Route

Drug administration that bypasses the GI tract (e.g., injections, IV).

Intravenous (IV)

Drug injected directly into a vein for immediate effect.

Intramuscular (IM)

Injection administered into muscle tissue.

Subcutaneous (SC)

Injection delivered into the fatty tissue under the skin.

Intradermal (ID)

Injection given into the dermis, just below skin surface.

Inhalation Route

Drug delivered to lungs via inhaler or nebulizer.

Topical Route

Drug applied to skin surface (creams, lotions).

Transdermal Route

Drug delivered through skin via adhesive patch for sustained release.

Ophthalmic Route

Medication applied to the eye (drops, ointments).

Otic Route

Medication administered to the ear as drops.

Nasal Route

Drug delivered through the nose (sprays, drops).

Agonist

Drug that produces a response by binding to a receptor; may enhance effect in synergism.

Antagonist

Drug that blocks or diminishes the effect of another drug.

Synergism

Combined effect of two drugs greater than the sum of each separately.

Side Effect

Predictable, often mild, secondary response to a drug.

Adverse Reaction

Severe, unintended, harmful response to a medication.

Idiosyncratic Reaction

Unusual, unpredictable reaction unique to an individual patient.

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from high to low concentration until equalized.

Osmosis

Movement of water across a semipermeable membrane toward higher solute concentration.

Filtration

Movement of molecules from high to low pressure areas, e.g., capillary filtration.

Generic Drug

Medication sold under its chemical name; less expensive, non-proprietary.

Trade (Brand-Name) Drug

Medication marketed under a proprietary, trademarked name.

Absorption

Process of a drug moving from administration site into bloodstream.

Elimination (Excretion)

Removal of drugs or metabolites from the body, primarily via kidneys.

Metabolism (Biotransformation)

Chemical conversion of a drug to inactive or active metabolites, mainly in the liver.

Rights of Medication Administration

Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, technique, documentation, and right to refuse.

Drug Tolerance

Need for higher doses to achieve the same effect over time.

Dependence

Physical or psychological need for a drug to function normally.

Addiction

Compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences.

Habituation

Psychological reliance on a drug without physical dependence.

Drug Abuse

Maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to impairment or distress.

Curative Therapy

Medication that treats and eliminates a disease cause (e.g., antibiotics).

Palliative Therapy

Medication that relieves symptoms without curing disease (e.g., morphine for pain).

Prophylactic Therapy

Medication given to prevent disease (e.g., vaccines).

Diagnostic Agent

Substance used to identify disease (e.g., contrast dye).

Replacement Therapy

Medication that replaces missing body substances (e.g., insulin).

Destructive Therapy

Drug that destroys abnormal tissue (e.g., chemotherapy).

Medication Misadministration—Nurse Action

Assess patient, provide care, notify healthcare team, and document incident immediately.

Prescription Requirements

Patient info, prescriber info & DEA#, drug name, dose, quantity, directions, signature.

Inscription (Prescription)

Section listing drug name, strength, and quantity to dispense.

Subscription (Prescription)

Section indicating refill information for the medication.

Signature (Sig)

Directions to the patient on how to take the medication.

Synthetic Drug

Medication created in a laboratory to replicate or improve natural substances.

Pharmacogenetics

Study of how genetic factors influence individual drug response.

Geriatric Medication Considerations

Altered liver/kidney function, polypharmacy, cognitive and sensory changes affecting drug use.

Smoking & Drug Metabolism

Smoking induces enzymes that increase metabolism of certain drugs, lowering their effect.

Paradoxical Reaction

Opposite or unexpected drug response (e.g., hyperactivity from antihistamines in children).

Primary Site of Drug Excretion

Kidneys excrete the majority of drugs and metabolites.

Teratogen

Agent that crosses placenta and causes abnormal fetal development.

Clinical Trial Phase I

Tests safety and dosage in 20–100 healthy volunteers over several months.

Clinical Trial Phase II

Evaluates efficacy and further safety in several hundred patients, up to 2 years.

Clinical Trial Phase III

Large-scale trials (hundreds–thousands) confirming safety and efficacy, lasting 1–4 years.

Warning Label

Auxiliary instruction on a medication container (e.g., “Shake well,” “Refrigerate”).

MedWatch

FDA program for reporting serious adverse drug events beyond expected side effects.

Cumulation

Build-up of medication in the body that can lead to toxicity if elimination is impaired.