CMA Pharmacology and Clinical Fundamentals Study Guide

Fundamental Pharmacology and Drug Action Definitions

An Agonist is defined as a medication or drug that acts upon a specific type of cell in order to produce a predictable response. In contrast, an Antagonist is a drug that exerts an action directly opposite to that of another drug, often used to block or counteract specific physiological effects. The Generic Name of a drug refers to its common, non-proprietary name, while the Trademark refers to the specific brand name or trade name assigned by the manufacturer.

Medication itself is defined broadly as a drug used to prevent and treat disease; it is synonymous with medicine. Drugs can be categorized by their origin, such as Synthetic substances, which are man-made rather than naturally occurring. The method of delivery is also classified; for instance, Transdermal refers to the administration of medication through the skin. A Syrup is a specific oral dosage form in which the drug is dissolved in a sugar-based solution.

Pharmacological Classifications and Therapeutic Agents

Anti-Dysrhythmic Agents are specialized drugs utilized to prevent or correct abnormal heart rhythms, which are also referred to as Arrhythmia (a state of being without a rhythm) or dysrhythmia. Antihistamines function by competing with released histamine for receptor sites located in the arterioles, capillaries, and glands within the mucous membranes.

Antineoplastic drugs are those specifically designed to fight cancer cells. Antitussives are categorized as drugs that suppress the cough center in the brain, essentially acting as cough suppressants. A Diuretic is a drug that promotes the physiological formation and excretion of urine. In the realm of nervous system support, a Sedative is a drug that quiets a person, providing a feeling of relaxation and rest. This is often used to manage Insomnia, a chronic condition characterized by the inability to sleep or stay asleep throughout the night.

Medical Conditions and Biological Processes

An Allergic Reaction is identified as an unfavorable response to a substance that triggers a hypersensitivity reaction in the body. Hemoglobin is the vital substance found within red blood cells that carries oxygen and provides blood with its distinct color. A Vein is defined as a blood vessel responsible for returning blood back to the heart.

Endocrine health includes terms such as Hyperthyroidism, which is a disease resulting from the excess production of thyroid hormones. Nutritional and metabolic terms include the Calorie, which is the specific amount of energy produced when the body burns food. The term Peptic pertains specifically to digestion or the enzymes and secretions required for the digestive process.

Clinical Nursing Procedures and Legal Standards

Implementation refers to the specific step in the nursing process where nursing measures are performed or carried out as outlined in the care plan. Medication orders vary by timing and necessity: a Single Order specifies that a drug is to be given only one time at a certain time, whereas a PRN Order (pro re nata) allows the nurse to decide when to administer the drug based on the person's specific needs.

Drug Diversion is a serious legal and ethical violation defined as taking a person's drugs for one's own use. Regulatory oversight is provided by the FDA, which stands for the Federal Drug Administration.

Vital Medical Abbreviations and Quantities

Medical practitioners use standardized abbreviations for time, dosing, and conditions. For timing, ac (ante cibum) denotes before meals, while pc (post cibum) denotes after meals. The term am refers to the morning. Order types include PRN (as needed) and VO (Verbal Order). Medication statuses include D/C, which stands for discontinue.

Specific drug abbreviations include APAP, which stands for Tylenol (acetaminophen), and syr, which stands for syrup. Delivery forms include ODT, which is an Orally disintegrating tablet. Clinical conditions and measurements are abbreviated as BP for blood pressure, CHF for Congestive Heart Failure, CNS for the central nervous system, and HA for headache. Latin-derived notations include c for with and S for without. Physical quantities are measured in kilograms ($kg$) and milligrams ($mg$).

Etymology and Anatomical Word Parts

Understanding medical terminology requires knowledge of word parts and roots. The prefixes a or an signify a lack of or being without. The prefix de or dis means to be away or free from. Anatomical roots include bronch(o), referring to the bronchiole tubes leading to the lungs; gastr(o), referring to the stomach; and psych(o), referring to the mind. Functional roots include dilate or dilator, which means to enlarge or widen.

Questions & Discussion

The transcript contains fragments of additional concepts including "Absorpti" (likely Absorption), "trandes" (likely Transdermal), and fragments such as "AU", "of another perso", "Advance xed", "persen wish", "person fa", "Analgesia", "Anticid", and "Ant/Hy". These represent additional vocabulary categories related to drug movement through the body, patient directives, and medication classes like analgesics (pain relievers), antacids, and antihypertensives.