Pharmacology and Nursing Medication Administration Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the Fundamentals of Nursing lecture notes on pharmacology, dosage forms, routes, legal aspects, and medication administration principles.

Chemical Name

Provides an exact description of the drug's composition and molecular structure.

Generic Name

The nonproprietary name given to a drug by the manufacturer that first develops it.

Trade Name

The brand or proprietary name under which a manufacturer markets a medication.

Classification

Indicates the effect of the medication on a body system, the symptoms it relieves, or its desired effect.

Caplet

A solid oral dosage form shaped like a capsule and coated for ease of swallowing.

Capsule

A dosage form in which medication is encased in a gelatin shell.

Tablet

Powdered medication compressed into hard disks or cylinders containing binders, disintegrators, lubricants, and fillers.

Enteric-coated tablet

A coated tablet that does not dissolve in the stomach, dissolving instead in the intestines where the medication is absorbed.

Elixir

A clear fluid liquid form containing water and/or alcohol, often sweetened.

Aqueous suspension

Finely dissolved medication particles dispersed in a liquid medium that settle on the bottom when left standing.

Extract

A syrup or dried form of active medication, usually made by evaporating a solution.

Tincture

An alcohol extract derived from a plant or vegetable.

Troche

A flat, round tablet (also called a lozenge) that dissolves in the mouth to release medication.

Aerosol

Aqueous medication sprayed and absorbed in the mouth and upper airway.

Sustained release

A tablet or capsule containing small particles of medication coated with material requiring varying amounts of time to dissolve.

Liniment

A topical preparation usually containing alcohol, oil, or a soapy emollient applied to the skin.

Paste

A thick topical medication preparation absorbed slowly through the skin, often used for skin protection.

Transdermal patch

A medicated disk or patch absorbed through the skin slowly over a long period of time.

Intraocular disk

A small, flexible oval consisting of two soft outer layers and a middle layer containing medication that slowly releases when moistened by ocular fluid.

Suppository

A solid dosage form mixed with gelatin shaped into a pellet for insertion into a body cavity, melting at body temperature to release medication.

Gauge

A standardized measurement system used for needle sizes.

Absorption

The passage of medication molecules into the blood from the site of administration.

Distribution

The movement of medication by the body to tissues, organs, and the site of action following absorption.

Metabolism

The process in which a medication is broken down into less active or inactive forms that are more easily excreted.

Excretion

The process by which metabolized medications exit the body through the kidneys, liver, bowel, and lungs.

Therapeutic Effect

The expected, intended, or predicted physiological response of a drug.

Side Effect

A predictable and often unavoidable secondary effect produced at a usual therapeutic dose.

Adverse Effect

An unintended, harmful, and severe response to a medication that may require immediate intervention.

Toxic Effect

A harmful drug effect caused by excessive dose or drug accumulation in the blood due to impaired metabolism or excretion.

Idiosyncratic Reaction

An unpredictable, abnormal drug effect where a patient overreacts, underreacts, or has a response different from normal.

Allergic Reaction

An unpredictable immune system response where repeated doses of a drug trigger antibody release against the medication, its preservatives, or metabolites.

Hypersensitivity

An abnormal condition characterized by an exaggerated response of the immune system to a drug or substance.

Onset

The time required after a medication is administered for it to produce a response.

Peak

The time required for a medication to reach its highest effective concentration in the body.

Duration

The time during which a medication is present in a concentration sufficient to produce a response.

Trough

The minimum blood serum concentration of medication reached just before the next scheduled dose.

Plateau

The blood serum concentration of medication reached and maintained after repeated fixed doses.

Serum half-life

The time required for an amount of a drug in the body to decrease by $50\%$.

Agonist

A drug that mimics the body's own regulatory molecules.

Antagonist

A drug that blocks the actions of endogenous regulators.

Synergistic Effect

A medication interaction where two drugs given together produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.

Medication Tolerance

A condition developing over time in which the body adapts to a drug, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect.

Physical Dependence

A state in which the body adapts to a drug, and sudden stopping or dose reduction causes intense physical withdrawal symptoms.

Psychological Dependence

A state in which a patient craves a drug for emotional or non-medical reasons.

Addiction

A condition characterized by impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving.

Standing order

A routine medication order administered continuously until a dosage change occurs or another medication is prescribed.

STAT order

A medication order administered immediately in an emergency.

Now order

A medication order used when a drug is needed right away, but not immediately as a STAT order.

prn order

A medication order given only when the patient requires or requests it based on specific parameters.

Parenteral Route

Medication administration via injection into body tissues (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, IV, and intradermal).

Tall Man Lettering

The practice of using mixed-case letters in drug names to help distinguish easily confused look-alike medication names.