Pharmacology Vocabulary

Question 1

Laxative

Answer 1

Weak cathartic

Question 2

Phenothiazines

Answer 2

Major tranquilizers used for control psychoses

Question 3

Prophylactic

Answer 3

An agent or measure used to prevent disease

Question 4

Purgative

Answer 4

A strong cathartic

Question 5

Accumulation

Answer 5

The administration of small, repeated doses of a drug so that the drug builds up, or accumulates in the body

Question 6

Additive effect

Answer 6

The combined effect of two drugs that is equal to the sum of the effects of each drug taken alone

Question 7

Allergic reaction

Answer 7

An untoward reaction that develops after the individual has taken a drug

Question 8

Amphetamine

Answer 8

A central nervous system stimulant

Question 9

Anaphylaxis

Answer 9

A hypersensitive reaction of the body to a drug or foreign organism. Symptoms may include hives, asthma, and rhinitis

Question 10

Antacid

Answer 10

Gastrointestinal drug which neutralizes the acid in the stomach

Question 11

Antagonism

Answer 11

The combined effect of two drugs that is less than the effect of either drug taken alone

Question 12

Anti-arrhythmic

Answer 12

Cardiovascular drug which helps restore heart rhythm to a regular cycle

Question 13

Antibiotic

Answer 13

A chemical substance, produced by a microorganism, which has the ability to inhibit or kill foregin organisms in the body

Question 14

Anticoagulant

Answer 14

A drug which prevents the formation of clots in blood vessels

Question 15

Anticonvulsant

Answer 15

A drug used to prevent convulsions, such as in epilepsy

Question 16

Anti-Diarrheal

Answer 16

Drug used to prevent diarrhea

Question 17

Antidote

Answer 17

An agent, which is given to counteract the unwated effect of a drug

Question 18

Antihistamine

Answer 18

A drug which blocks the action of histamine in the body and helps prevent allergic symptoms

Question 19

Anti-nauseant

Answer 19

An agent, which relieves nausea and vomiting

Question 20

Antiviral

Answer 20

An agent that is effective against viruses

Question 21

Barbiturate

Answer 21

A sedative and hypnotic drug

Question 22

Biosynthesis

Answer 22

Formation of a chemical compound by enzymes, either within an organism (in vivo) or in vitro by fragments of a cell

Question 23

Brand name

Answer 23

Commercial name for a drug; normally the property of the drug manufacture; aslo called trade name

Question 24

Cardiotonic

Answer 24

Drug which promotes the muscle tone (contractility) of the heart

Question 25

Cathartic

Answer 25

A drug, which relieves constipation

Question 26

Chemical name

Answer 26

A chemical formula for a drug

Question 27

Cholinergic

Answer 27

A drug, which has the same effect as acetylcholine on the body, that is, a parasympathetic effect

Question 28

Contraindications

Answer 28

Factors in a patient's condition which prevents the use of particular drug or treatment

Question 29

Depressant

Answer 29

An agent that reduces functional or vital activity

Question 30

Diagnostic

Answer 30

Pertaining to the art or act of determining the nature of a patient's disease

Question 31

Diuretic

Answer 31

An agent which affects blood pressure by increasing production of urine and thus reducing the volume of fluid in the body

Question 32

Emetic

Answer 32

An agent, which promotes vomiting

Question 33

Food and Drug

Answer 33

US Governmental agency having legal responsibility for enforcing proper drug manufacture and clinical use

Question 34

Generic name

Answer 34

The legal, non-commercial name for a drug

Question 35

Hospital Formulary

Answer 35

A reference listing of drugs and their appropriate clinical usage

Question 36

Hypnotic

Answer 36

An agent, which produces sleep

Question 37

Idiosyncrasy

Answer 37

A rare type of toxic effect produced in a particularly sensitive individual but not seen in most patients

Question 38

Molecular pharmacology

Answer 38

Study of the interaction of drugs and cells or sub cellular entities such as DNA, RNA and enzymes

Question 39

Narcotic

Answer 39

Habit-forming drug which relieves pain and produces stupor or insensibility

Question 40

Parasympathomimetic

Answer 40

A drug, which acts in the same manner as the parasympathetic nervous system (reduces heart rate and stimulates peristalsis)

Question 41

Parenteral administration

Answer 41

Administration of drugs by injection into the skin, muscles, or veins

Question 42

Pharmacodynamics

Answer 42

Study of how drugs achieve their effects in living organisms, including their absorption, metabolism and excretion from the body

Question 43

Sedative

Answer 43

A mild hypnotic drug; relaxing without necessarily producing sleep

Question 44

Side effect

Answer 44

An unpredictable effect that is not related to the main action of the drug

Question 45

Stimulant

Answer 45

An agent, which excites and promotes functional activity

Question 46

Sulfonamides

Answer 46

A bacteriostatic agents

Question 47

Suppository

Answer 47

Cone-shaped objects containing medication which are inserted into the rectum, vagina, or urethra

Question 48

Sympathomimetic

Answer 48

A drug which acts like the sympathetic nervous system (increases heart rate and blood pressure and opens air passages)

Question 49

Synergism

Answer 49

The joint action of agents in which their combined effect is more intense or longer in duration than the sum of their individual effects

Question 50

Tolerance

Answer 50

Increasing resistance to the usual effects of an established dosage of a drug as a result of continued use

Question 51

Toxicity

Answer 51

The harmful effects of a drug

Question 52

Tranquilizers

Answer 52

Drugs used to control anxiety