N309 Foundations of Nursing Practice - Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering medication administration, injections, dosage calculation concepts, and grief/loss from the N309 study guide.

Onset

The time needed for drug concentration to reach a high enough blood level for effects to appear (minimum effective concentration).

Peak

The point when medication concentration is highest in the blood.

Duration

The period in which the medication has a pharmacological effect before it is metabolized and excreted.

Therapeutic range

The drug level at which the medication is effective but not toxic.

Peak level

The highest concentration of medication in the blood after absorption.

Trough level

The lowest concentration of medication in the blood.

Palliative effect

A primary medication effect intended to relieve symptoms.

Supportive effect

A primary medication effect that supports a body function or process.

Substitutive effect

A primary medication effect that replaces something the body lacks.

Chemotherapeutic effect

A primary medication effect used to treat disease by targeting the cause or cells involved.

Restorative effect

A primary medication effect that helps restore function.

Side effect

An expected and predictable secondary medication effect, such as constipation after opioids.

Adverse reaction

A harmful, unintended secondary medication effect, such as severe hypoglycemia from insulin.

Toxic reaction

An excessive drug effect or poisoning, such as respiratory depression from morphine.

Allergic reaction

An immune response to a medication, such as hives after penicillin.

Anaphylaxis

A life-threatening allergic reaction characterized by symptoms such as wheezing and hypotension.

Idiosyncratic reaction

An abnormal or unusual response to a medication, such as agitation after a sedative.

Cumulative effect

Drug buildup over time, such as sedation in a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Tolerance

The state of needing more of a drug to achieve the same effect.

Dependence

A state in which the body or mind relies on the drug, where stopping it may cause withdrawal symptoms.

Misuse

The incorrect use of medication.

Abuse

The intentional inappropriate use of a drug.

Illicit drug use

The use of illegal drugs.

Polypharmacy

The simultaneous use of multiple medications.

Nonadherence

The failure to take medication as prescribed.

Schedule I controlled substances

Drugs with no accepted medical use and the highest potential for abuse, such as heroin and LSD.

Schedule II controlled substances

Drugs with accepted medical use and high potential for abuse, such as morphine and oxycodone.

Schedule III controlled substances

Drugs with accepted medical use and moderate potential for abuse, such as Tylenol with codeine.

Schedule IV controlled substances

Drugs with accepted medical use and lower potential for abuse, such as Xanax and Valium.

Schedule V controlled substances

Drugs with accepted medical use and the lowest potential for abuse, such as Robitussin AC.

Sublingual route

Administration where medication is held under the tongue until completely absorbed, usually within seconds.

Buccal route

Administration where medication is held in the cheek.

Transdermal patch

A drug delivery form where medication is absorbed through the skin, providing constant, controlled release and prolonged systemic effect.

Irrigation

A procedure in which a solution such as sterile water, saline, or antiseptic is flushed into a body area (e.g., eyes, ears, throat, vagina, rectum, or urinary tract).

Instillation

Administration where medication is inserted into a body cavity for retention or absorption.

Enteric-coated tablets (EC)

Tablets designed to dissolve in the small intestine rather than the stomach; must NOT be crushed or chewed.

Suspension

A liquid medication formulation where drug particles are suspended; must be shaken before administration.

TB syringe

A syringe holding $1\,\text{mL}$ and marked in $0.01\,\text{mL}$ increments, designed for precise dosing.

Insulin syringe

A syringe calibrated in units (not mL) used ONLY for insulin.

Ampule

A sealed thin glass container containing a single dose; snapped open without injecting air, and requires a filter needle to withdraw medication.

Vial

A glass or plastic container with a rubber stopper (single- or multidose) requiring air injection prior to medication withdrawal.

Reconstitution

The process of dissolving a powdered medication in a vial using a specified diluent.

Intradermal (ID) injection

An injection given into the dermis beneath the skin surface, commonly at a $5^\circ\text{--}15^\circ$ angle for $0.1\,\text{mL}$ volumes.

Subcutaneous (SQ) injection

An injection into subcutaneous tissue delivered at a $45^\circ$ or $90^\circ$ angle using a short needle ($3/8\text{--}5/8\,\text{inch}$).

Intramuscular (IM) injection

An injection into muscle tissue given at a $90^\circ$ angle, typically using a $1\,1/2\,\text{inch}$, $22\text{--}25\,\text{gauge}$ needle.

Z-track technique

A technique that seals the needle track during IM injections to prevent leakage into subcutaneous tissues, especially recommended for irritating medications.

Basal insulin

Insulin designed to cover energy needs between meals, such as NPH, Lantus, and Levemir.

Prandial insulin

Insulin administered to prevent post-meal blood sugar spikes, including Regular and rapid-acting analogs like Humalog, Novolog, and Apidra.

Milliequivalents (mEq)

A measurement unit used for electrolytes (e.g., potassium), representing the number of grams of a solid contained in $1\,\text{mL}$ of solution.

Desired / Have formula

The formula used to calculate medication dosages: $\text{Dose to give} = \left(\frac{\text{Desired Dose}}{\text{Dose on Hand}}\right) \times \text{Quantity on Hand}$.

Loss

An undesired change or removal of a valued object, person, or situation.

Grief

The psychological and emotional response to loss, essential to psychological healing.

Mourning

The actions and behaviors associated with grief.

Bereavement

The period of mourning following a loss.

Kübler-Ross stages of grief

The five sequential stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

Palliative care

Aggressively planned comfort care aimed at improving quality of life for clients with incurable or curable conditions.

Hospice care

Care focused on symptom management, quality of life, and a dignified death for patients with a life expectancy of $6\,\text{months}$ or less, where curative treatment is stopped.