Pharmaceutical Terms

Question 1

addiction

Answer 1

a compulsive need to experience a pleasurable drug reaction; ranges from a mild desire to an overwhelming need

Question 2

adverse reaction

Answer 2

an unwanted or potentially harmful effect resulting from drug administration

Question 3

allergic reaction

Answer 3

a hypersensitivity reaction to a drug or other agent resulting from prior exposure

Question 4

anaphylaxis

Answer 4

severe allergic reaction to an allergen; can be life-threatening

Question 5

antacid

Answer 5

GI drug; neutralizes stomach acid

Question 6

antiarrhythmic

Answer 6

cardiovascular drug; helps restore heart rhythm to a regular cycle

Question 7

antibiotic

Answer 7

a drug that destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms

Question 8

anticoagulant

Answer 8

a drug that prevents the formation of clots in blood vessels

Question 9

anticonvulsant

Answer 9

a drug used to prevent convulsions

Question 10

antidiarrheal

Answer 10

a drug used to prevent and control diarrhea

Question 11

antidote

Answer 11

counteracts unwanted or toxic effects of a drug

Question 12

antiemetic

Answer 12

a drug that relieves nausea and vomiting

Question 13

antihistamine

Answer 13

a drug that blocks the action of histamine; helps to prevent allergic symptoms

Question 14

cardiotonic

Answer 14

a drug which promotes the heart’s muscle tone (contractility)

Question 15

cathartic

Answer 15

a drug which relieves constipation

Question 16

classification

Answer 16

organization of drugs according to set characteristics (usually their drug action)

Question 17

contraindication

Answer 17

reasons against the use of a particular drug or treatment

Question 18

depressant

Answer 18

reduces functional activity

Question 19

diuretic

Answer 19

a drug that promotes production and excretion of urine

Question 20

drug action

Answer 20

pharmacological effects produced when a drug reaches a target tissue

Question 21

drug interaction

Answer 21

factors that increase or decrease the intended effect of a drug

Question 22

emetic

Answer 22

promotes vomiting

Question 23

enteric coated

Answer 23

coating on a tablet that causes the pill to dissolve in the intestine (instead of stomach)

Question 24

Hospital Formulary

Answer 24

Hospital’s reference listing of drugs & appropriate clinical usage

Question 25

idiosyncrasy

Answer 25

rare adverse effects; unusual reaction in a sensitive individual

Question 26

indications

Answer 26

reason(s) why the drug may be prescribed for use

Question 27

laxative

Answer 27

chemical substance which loosens and promotes evacuation of bowels

Question 28

metabolism

Answer 28

combined chemical and physical processes that take place in the body

Question 29

narcotic

Answer 29

potentially habit-forming drug that relieves pain

Question 30

overdose

Answer 30

excessive dose above recommended use of medication; sometimes results in toxicity

Question 31

over-the-counter (OTC)

Answer 31

medications that do not require a prescription

Question 32

parenteral administration

Answer 32

alternate method of drug administration not through the GI tract

Question 33

pharmaceutical

Answer 33

pertaining to pharmacy or drugs

Question 34

pharmacodynamics

Answer 34

study of how drugs achieve their effects in living organisms

Question 35

pharmacokinetics

Answer 35

study of drug movement in the body

Question 36

pharmacology

Answer 36

study of drugs

Question 37

pharmacy

Answer 37

practice of compounding and dispensing medicinal preparations

Question 38

physical dependence

Answer 38

altered physiologic state resulting from prolonged drug use; regular drug usage is necessary to avoid withdrawal

Question 39

placebo

Answer 39

inactive substance usually given under the guise of effective treatment

Question 40

precaution

Answer 40

cautious action to be taken in use of a drug for its potential unwanted effects in certain situations

Question 41

prescription

Answer 41

a written directive for compounding or dispensing and administration of drugs

Question 42

side effect

Answer 42

unwanted effect that routinely results from drug use

Question 43

tolerance

Answer 43

resistance to the action of a drug as treatment progressed

Question 44

toxic

Answer 44

harmful effects of a drug to the degree of being poisonous