Medical Abbreviations and Drug Schedules in Pharmacology

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: PO?

PO: by mouth

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: NPO?

NPO: nothing by mouth

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: a.c.?

a.c.: before meals

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: p.c.?

p.c.: after meals

PRN

PRN: as needed

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: c?

c: with

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: s?

s: without

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: BID?

BID: twice a day

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: TID?

TID: three times a day

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: QID?

QID: four times a day

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: Rx?

Rx: prescription

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: qh?

qh: every hour

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: q2h?

q2h: every two hours

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: stat?

stat: immediately

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: gtt?

gtt: drops

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: cap?

cap: capsule

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: cmpd?

cmpd: compound

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: cr?

cr: cream

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: DAW?

DAW: dispense as written (no generic)

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: disp?

disp: dispense

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: neb?

neb: nebulizer

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: d?

d: day

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: noct?

noct: night

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: nr?

nr: no refills

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: qam?

qam: every morning

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: PR?

PR: rectally

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: cc?

cc: chief complaint

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: c/o?

c/o: complains of

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: Hx?

Hx: history

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: Pt?

Pt: patient

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: AMA?

AMA: against medical advice

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: I&O?

I&O: intake and output

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: Sx?

Sx: symptom

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: Tx?

Tx: treatment

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: Dx?

Dx: diagnosis

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: BP?

BP: blood pressure

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: BPM?

BPM: beats per minute

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: vs?

vs: vital signs

DOB

date of birth

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: F?

F: Fahrenheit

What are the meanings of the following abbreviations: C?

C: Celsius

What is Pharmacology?

The science of drugs; the study of the interactions between living organisms and chemicals.

What are Pharmaceuticals?

Substances that have medicinal properties.

What is the role of the Medical Assistant (MA) regarding pharmacology?

The MA's role includes:

• Needs in-depth knowledge of medication indications, contraindications, dosages, routes of administration, and proper storage and disposal methods
• Patient education
• Management of clinical inventory and injection supplies
• Safe handling and disposal of sharps
• Documentation of injections and management of medication logs
• Medication administration

The MA is not allowed to prescribe medication.

What resources should the MA use when researching medications?

Appropriate resources include the PDR (Physicians Desk Reference) or online sources such as fda.gov, nlm.nih.gov, pdr.net, drugs.com, and Rxlist.com.

What does FDA stand for and what is its role?

FDA stands for Food and Drug Administration. It is the federal agency responsible for approving drugs for the market, for any recalls of medication, and for medication labeling standards. The FDA also oversees the safety of the nation’s food supply.

When must Medication Guides for patient labeling be approved by the FDA?

Medication Guides must be approved by the FDA when:

• Labeling could help prevent serious adverse reactions
• The drug has serious risks (relative to benefits)
• Patient adherence to directions for use is crucial to the drug’s effectiveness

What are the three names by which medications are known?

Medications are known by the chemical name, generic name, and brand name.

Explain Brand names (Trade or Proprietary names) for medications.

Brand names are given by the pharmaceutical company that first developed the drug and are temporarily protected by patent. After the patent expires, a generic name will be assigned and other companies can sell the drug under their own brand names.

Explain Generic drug names.

Generic drug names are assigned by the United States Adopted Name Council (USAN). They are copies of brand-name drugs that become available after the original patent expires. They contain the same active ingredients and provide the same therapeutic effects as their brand-name counterparts, but are usually sold at a lower price.

What are OTC Medications?

OTC (Over-the-Counter) medications are purchased directly from pharmacies, grocery stores, and convenience stores without a prescription. They are designed for self-treatment of common conditions such as headaches, colds, and allergies.

What are Prescription Medications?

Prescription medications require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider and are dispensed at pharmacies. They are often necessary for treating more serious or chronic health conditions.

What did the Federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA) establish?

The Federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970 established the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and mandates that the DEA will place all regulated substances into one of five schedules depending on potential for abuse.

Describe Schedule I controlled substances.

Schedule I substances have a high potential for abuse and currently no approved medical use in the U.S. They are illegal, and providers may not prescribe them. Examples include heroin, mescaline, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

Describe Schedule II controlled substances.

Schedule II substances have a high potential for abuse, are considered dangerous, and can lead to psychological and physical dependence. Examples include morphine, methadone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and amphetamine.

Storage Requirements: Must be stored in a safe or steel cabinet of substantial construction. If less than 750 pounds, it must be mounted or secured. The device should have an inner and outer door with locks for each door requiring different keys.

Describe Schedule III controlled substances.

Schedule III substances have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. Examples include ketamine, anabolic steroids, acetaminophen with codeine, and buprenorphine.

Describe Schedule IV controlled substances.

Schedule IV substances have a low potential for abuse and dependence. Examples include tramadol and benzodiazepines including diazepam, alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, and clonazepam.

Describe Schedule V controlled substances.

Schedule V substances include limited quantities of some narcotics, usually for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes. Examples include diphenoxylate with atropine, guaifenesin with codeine, and pregabalin.

What are Therapeutic effects?

Therapeutic effects are the good effects, the ones for which providers prescribe medications.

What are Side effects?

Side effects are undesirable unintended actions on the body, such as nausea or dry mouth, and can limit the usefulness of the medication.

What are Adverse effects?

Adverse effects are unintended, harmful actions of the medication, such as an allergic reaction, and prevent further use of the medication.

What are Indications?

Indications are the problems for which the provider prescribes a particular medication.

What are Contraindications?

Contraindications are symptoms or conditions that make a specific treatment or medication inadvisable or even dangerous.

What are Precautions?

Precautions are problems that pose a lesser risk but require close observation and monitoring during medication therapy.

What is Pharmacokinetics?

Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to a drug; it includes absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Understanding pharmacokinetics helps us understand a medication’s onset of activity, the peak time of its effects, and how long its effects will last.

What is Pharmacodynamics?

Pharmacodynamics is the study of how drugs affect the body with biochemical and molecular effects. It includes drug-receptor interaction, which is how the drug binds to specific receptors, like a “lock and key” system.

In pharmacodynamics, what is an Agonist?

An agonist is a drug that binds to a receptor and produces a biological response.

In pharmacodynamics, what is an Antagonist?

An antagonist is a drug that binds to a receptor but does not activate it, blocking the action that would normally take place.

What is Nutrition?

Nutrition is the field of study focused on food and its components. It helps bodies with growth, repair, disease resistance, fluid balance, and thermoregulation.

What are the 6 primary nutrients?

The 6 primary nutrients are water, carbohydrates, protein, fat (lipids), vitamins, and minerals.

What are Calories?

Calories are units of energy that fuel essential body functions. Daily caloric intake depends on factors like age, weight, activity level, and health status.

Which nutrients provide calories and which do not?

• Provide calories: Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

• Do not contain calories: Vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

How many calories per gram do protein, carbohydrate, and fat provide?

• 1 gram of protein = 4 calories
• 1 gram of carbohydrate = 4 calories
• 1 gram of fat = 9 calories

What is the role of the Medical Assistant (MA) regarding patient nutrition?

The MA's role in patient nutrition includes:

• Patient education regarding basic nutrition
• Teaching patients how to read and interpret food labels
• Helping patients use resources like MyPlate.gov.

Summarize the Dietary Needs for Diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition where the body does not make adequate amounts of insulin or is not able to effectively use it (insulin allows glucose to enter cells for energy). The goal of a healthy diet is to control blood sugar levels, preventing blood sugar from going too high and too low. General dietary guidelines include:

• Eat several small, nutrient-dense meals consistently throughout the day.

• Avoid/limit foods high in added sugars.

• Limit foods high in carbohydrates, especially refined grains.

• Consume more fiber.

Summarize the Dietary Needs for Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the gradual decrease in kidney function. For stages 4 to 5 where symptoms are more apparent, dietary recommendations include:

• Limit salt/sodium.

• Be cautious with protein.

• Minimize phosphorus intake.

• Control potassium levels.

• Eating a heart-healthy diet will also prevent fat and cholesterol build up in the kidneys.

Summarize the Dietary Needs for Celiac Disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye) can cause damage to the small intestines. Dietary guidelines include:

• Look for foods labeled “gluten-free,” “no gluten,” “free of gluten,” or “without gluten.”

• Avoid foods containing gluten: wheat, barley, and rye. Be cautious of baked goods, alcohol, malt vinegar, and additives/flavorings.

• Eat gluten-free foods like meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, rice, potatoes, flour made from quinoa, buckwheat, soy, and nuts.

PO

by mouth

NPO

nothing by mouth

a.c.

before meals

p.c.

after meals

PRN

as needed

c

with

s

without

BID

twice a day

TID

three times a day

QID

four times a day

Rx

prescription

qh

every hour

q2h

every two hours

stat

immediately

gtt

drops

cap

capsule

cmpd

compound

cr

cream

DAW

dispense as written (no generic)

disp

dispense

neb

nebulizer

d

day

noct

night