Chapter 2: Principles of Drug Action

Question 1

Absorption

Answer 1

Passage of a substance into the bloodstream from the site of administration

Question 2

Allergy

Answer 2

Reaction of the body cell to a foreign substance (antigen) to which it has previously developed antibodies.

Question 3

Anaphylaxis

Answer 3

Severe allergic reaction that may be fatal

Question 4

Antagonism

Answer 4

The interaction of two drugs to inhibit or cancel each other’s effect

Question 5

Antibody

Answer 5

Substance produced in the body that helps the body fight off foreign invaders like microorganisms and antigens

Question 6

Antigen

Answer 6

Substance that stimulates production of antibodies and causes allergic reactions

Question 7

Cumulative Effect

Answer 7

Increased effect of a drug that is not completely metabolized or excreted before another dose is administered

Question 8

Dependence

Answer 8

A compulsion to continue taking a drug; can be physical and/or psychological

Question 9

Detoxify

Answer 9

Eliminate substances that are toxic or poisonous to the body

Question 10

Distibution

Answer 10

Transport of drugs to body cells and spaces between cells

Question 11

Drug Abuse

Answer 11

Taking drugs for their mood altering effects or taking too many drugs or too much of a drug

Question 12

Excretion

Answer 12

The removal of waste substances from the body

Question 13

Histamine

Answer 13

Substance released from injured cells during an allergic reaction; responsible for allergic symptoms

Question 14

Idiosyncracy

Answer 14

A peculiar, unusual, individual response to a drug

Question 15

Local

Answer 15

Having an effect in the immediate area of administration; for example, eye drops designed to affect only the eye

Question 16

Metabolism

Answer 16

The rate at which cells produce energy such as heat and muscle strength; also known as biotransformation

Question 17

Placebo

Answer 17

An inactive substance that has no pharmacological effect (a placebo can be a pill containing sugar or an injection of normal saline/sterile water)

Question 18

Potentiation

Answer 18

Two drugs administered at the same time wherin one drug increases the effect of the other

Question 19

Synergism

Answer 19

Drug interaction in which the effect of two drugs in combination is greater than the effect of each drug given separately

Question 20

Systemic

Answer 20

Having an effect throughout the body

Question 21

Tolerance

Answer 21

Need for increased dose of a drug to produce the same physical and/or psychological effect

Question 22

Withdrawal Symptoms

Answer 22

Set of physical reactions that occur when a person stops taking a drug on which he or she is physically dependent