Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the ATI Engage Pharmacology lecture notes covering core concepts of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, and medication classifications.

Enteral Medications

Medications that go through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including oral forms such as tablets, capsules, powders, or liquids.

Scored Tablets

Tablets marked with a line down the center that can be split.

Parenteral Medications

Medications that bypass the GI tract and are injectable, such as IV, IM, and Subcut forms.

Pharmacokinetics

The movement and handling of drugs in the body, encompassing absorption, bioavailability, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of the effects that a drug has on the body.

Therapeutic Level

The point at which a drug achieves its optimum desired effect in the body.

Lethal Dose

The amount of medication that could be fatal to a patient.

Potency

A drug's strength or ability to provide the desired effect.

Agonist

A drug that works together with another drug or mimics the shape of a natural substance to slot into a receptor site and enhance cellular activity.

Antagonist

A drug that renders another drug less effective or blocks a receptor site to prevent cellular activity.

Curative Effect

A drug effect aimed at restoring normal physiological function, such as diuretics aiding fluid removal.

Prophylactic Effect

A drug effect meant to prevent diseases or disorders, such as giving antibiotics prior to surgery.

Diagnostic Effect

A medication effect that helps identify or diagnose a disease, such as swallowed barium highlighting digestive issues on a CT scan.

Palliative Effect

A medication effect that does not cure a disease but makes the patient more comfortable, such as pain relievers.

Replacement Effect

A drug effect that replaces missing substances in the body, such as Levothyroxine sodium replacing thyroid hormone.

Destructive Effect

A drug effect designed to destroy tumors and microbes, such as antineoplastic drugs.

Polypharmacy

The practice of taking multiple prescription drugs in addition to over-the-counter preparations and herbal remedies or supplements.

Drug Interaction

An event occurring when one drug alters or modifies the action of another.

Antagonistic Drug Relationship

A drug interaction occurring when one drug interferes with the actions of another, decreasing the resultant drug effect.

Synergistic Drug Relationship

An additive drug effect where the combined effect of both drugs together is greater than their individual effects.

Drug Incompatibilities

Chemical deterioration occurring when multiple drugs are mixed together, resulting in an incompatible solution that must not be administered.

Side Effects

Usually mild drug actions that can be managed with interventions, most commonly affecting the gastrointestinal system.

Adverse Reaction

A severe side effect of a drug that can cause harm or death, such as hallucinations, hypotension, or anaphylaxis.

Duration of Action

The timeframe from the onset of action until a medication no longer has any effect on the body without additional administration.