Drugs- ibuprofen, carvedilol, potassium chloride, & aspirin

NSAID

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

antipyretic

acts against fever

prostaglandins

a group of hormone-like lipids released when tissue is damaged that stimulate a variety of physical effects such as regulating body temperature, smooth muscle contraction, platelet aggregation, control inflammation & vascular permeability

MI (myocardial infarction)

"heart attack"

stroke

Caused by interrupted blood supply to the brain. Symptoms include weakness of face, limbs, confusion and troubled speaking

Beta-blocker

class of drug that prevents the stimulation of the adrenergic receptors responsible for increased cardiac action

CHF (congestive heart failure)

results from impaired pumping capability of the heart that is not keeping up with the metabolic needs of body tissues and organs

Left ventricular dysfunction

when the ventricle cannot pump enough blood, and diastolic dysfunction is a stiffening of the muscle, which also inhibits the blood flow from the heart. Both types of ventricular dysfunction result in fluid buildup, and if not treated will result in heart failure

Syncope

fainting

Electrolytic agent

drugs that help correct electrolyte imbalances in the body

Hypokalemia

having too little potassium in the blood

parenteral nutrition

providing nutrition through outside the intestines

High Alert Medication!

a drug that has a higher risk of causing serious patient harm (the dosage could be very close to being harmful)

Electrocardiogram

a traced recording of the electrical activity in the heart

Melena

dark, tarry stools containing decomposing blood

Salicylate

one of the oldest and most commonly used NSAIDs. Acetylsalicylic acid, such as aspirin, inhibit platelet aggregation, reduce blood clotting, and hence are protective against heart disease

Enteric coating

prevents a medication from disintegration in the stomach

Reye's syndrome

a life-threatening metabolic disorder in young children, of uncertain cause but sometimes precipitated by aspirin and involving encephalitis and liver failure. Children recovering from a viral infection such as chickenpox or flu or who have a metabolic disorder are most at risk, especially if they've been taking aspirin