Ch 12 - Principles of Pharmacology

• Absorption


  The process by which medications travel through body tissues until they reach the bloodstream
• Action


  The therapeutic effect of a medication on the body
• Adverse effects


  Any unwanted clinical results of a medication
• Agonist


  A medication that causes stimulation of receptors
• Antagonist


  A medication that binds to a receptor and blocks other medications
• Antibiotic


  A medication used to treat infections caused by a bacterium
• Anticoagulant


  A medication that impairs the ability of blood to clot
• Antifungal


  A medication used to treat infections caused by a fungus
• Antiplatelet


  A medication that prevents blood platelets from clumping or sticking together
• Antipyretics


  Medications that treat or reduce a fever
• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA)


  A medication that is an antipyretic (reduces fever), analgesic (reduces pain), anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation), and a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation (clumping)
• Contraindications


  Conditions that make a particular medication or treatment inappropriate because it would not help, or may actually harm, a patient
• Dose


  The amount of medication given on the basis of the patient's size and age
• Duration


  The amount of time that clinical effects of a medication last
• Elimination


  The process of removing a medication or chemical from within the body
• EMT-administered medication


  Administration of a medication by the EMT directly to the patient
• Enteral medications


  Medications that enter the body through the digestive system
• Epinephrine


  A medication that increases heart rate and blood pressure but also eases breathing problems by decreasing muscle tone of the bronchiole tree
• Gel


  A semiliquid substance that is administered orally in capsule form or through plastic tubes
• Generic name


  The original chemical name of a medication (in contrast with one of its proprietary or trade names); the name is not capitalized
• Hypoglycemia


  An abnormally low blood glucose level
• Indications


  The therapeutic uses for a specific medication
• Inhalation


  The active, muscular part of breathing that draws air into the airway and lungs, a medication delivery route
• Intramuscular (IM) injection


  An injection into a muscle; a medication delivery route
• Intranasal (IN)


  A delivery route in which a medication is pushed through a specialized atomizer device called a mucosal atomizer device (MAD) into the naris
• Intraosseous (IO) injection


  An injection into the bone; a medication delivery route
• Intravenous (IV) injection


  An injection directly into a vein; a medication delivery route
• Medication


  A substance that is used to treat or prevent disease or relieve pain
• Medication error

  Inappropriate use of a medication that could lead to patient harm
• Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)


  A miniature spray canister used to direct medications through the mouth and into the lungs
• Mucosal atomizer device (MAD)


  A device that is used to change a liquid medication into a spray and push it into a nostril
• Nitroglycerin


  A medication that increases cardiac perfusion by causing blood vessels to dilate; EMTs may be allowed to assist the patient to self-administer this medication
• Onset of action


  The amount of time from the administration of a medication to the onset of clinical effects
• Oral


  By mouth; a medication delivery route
• Oral glucose


  A simple sugar that is readily absorbed by the bloodstream; it is carried on the EMS unit
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications


  Medications that may be purchased directly by a patient without a prescription
• Oxygen


  A gas that all cells need for metabolism; the heart and brain, especially, cannot function without oxygen
• Parenteral medications


  Medications that enter the body by a route other than the digestive tract, skin, or mucous membranes
• Patient-assisted medication


  When the EMT assists the patient with the administration of his or her own medication
• Peak


  The point or period when the maximum clinical effect of a drug is achieved