DCF Med Cert Study Guide UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Absorption - CORRECT ANSWER - The movement of medication from the stomach or
intestines into the bloodstream
Active ingredient - CORRECT ANSWER - The actual medication that brings about the
desired effect or benefit the medication is prescribed for
Administer - CORRECT ANSWER - To give a properly dispensed medication to a child
according to a licensed practitioner's order
Adverse reaction - CORRECT ANSWER - Unexpected and possibly serious or life-
threatening effects of a medication
Airway - CORRECT ANSWER - The "tubes" air flows through for breathing including the
trachea (windpipe) and bronchial (airways in lungs)
Albuterol - CORRECT ANSWER - Generic name of most commonly prescribed asthma
medication. Trade names: Proventil, Ventolin
Allergic reaction - CORRECT ANSWER - A specific, adverse reaction that may cause
skin rashes or hives, watery eyes or runny nose and may lead to difficulty breathing. The chain of
command and emergency medical help if appropriate must be contacted immediately
Analgesics - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that relieve pain
Anaphylaxis - CORRECT ANSWER - A severe, potentially life threatening allergic
reaction that requires immediate emergency medical care
,Anatacids - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that reduce the acid in the stomach
Antianxiety medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Treat anxiety, tension, and nervousness.
If medication is prescribed for PRN, staff must consult licensed practitioner before
administering.
Antibiotics - CORRECT ANSWER - Use: Medications used to treat infections caused by
bacteria
Special Considerations: watch for allergies, finish entire prescription
Anticholinergic medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Treat the muscle movement
disorders seen with antipsychotic medication. Make sure child drinks plenty of water.
Anticonvulsant - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that are used to control seizures.
May require periodic blood work.
Antidepressant - CORRECT ANSWER - Medication used to treat depression. Suicidal
thoughts and behaviors may increase in children.
Antifungal - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications used to treat fungal infections. Keep
infected area clean and dry
Antihistamines - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that reduce the symptoms of
allergies. May cause drowsiness.
Antipsychotic medication - CORRECT ANSWER - Treat psychotic conditions (also
known as neuroleptics). Difficulty swallowing, drooling, facial tics or twitches, changes in gait
may be a serious side effect-report to chain of command.
Antipyretic - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that reduce a fever
, Antitussives - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that suppress the cough reflex; stop a
cough. May mask signs of respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
Antiviral medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Treat viral infections; do not cure illness,
but control symptoms
Asthma Management Plan - CORRECT ANSWER - A child's specific plan for treating his
asthma including avoiding triggers, monitoring breathing, medications for prevent asthma attacks
and medications to treat an attack if it occurs
Asthma Prevention (maintenance) medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications
prescribed to keep asthma under control and prevent attacks from happening
Asthma Rescue medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications used to stop an asthma
attack quickly. Albuterol is most often the asthma rescue medication. Inhaled through MDI or
nebulizer
Borrowing - CORRECT ANSWER - Using one's child medication to give to a second
child because the second child's medication supply has run out
Bronchial constriction - CORRECT ANSWER - Tightening of the airway. One of the
physical components of asthma
Bronchodilator - CORRECT ANSWER - Medication that opens constricted airways
Calibrated measuring cup - CORRECT ANSWER - A measuring cup with standard,
accurate measurements for liquid medications
Cardiovascular medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Treat heart (cardiac) and blood
pressure problems. BP and pulse must be checked routinely
ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Absorption - CORRECT ANSWER - The movement of medication from the stomach or
intestines into the bloodstream
Active ingredient - CORRECT ANSWER - The actual medication that brings about the
desired effect or benefit the medication is prescribed for
Administer - CORRECT ANSWER - To give a properly dispensed medication to a child
according to a licensed practitioner's order
Adverse reaction - CORRECT ANSWER - Unexpected and possibly serious or life-
threatening effects of a medication
Airway - CORRECT ANSWER - The "tubes" air flows through for breathing including the
trachea (windpipe) and bronchial (airways in lungs)
Albuterol - CORRECT ANSWER - Generic name of most commonly prescribed asthma
medication. Trade names: Proventil, Ventolin
Allergic reaction - CORRECT ANSWER - A specific, adverse reaction that may cause
skin rashes or hives, watery eyes or runny nose and may lead to difficulty breathing. The chain of
command and emergency medical help if appropriate must be contacted immediately
Analgesics - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that relieve pain
Anaphylaxis - CORRECT ANSWER - A severe, potentially life threatening allergic
reaction that requires immediate emergency medical care
,Anatacids - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that reduce the acid in the stomach
Antianxiety medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Treat anxiety, tension, and nervousness.
If medication is prescribed for PRN, staff must consult licensed practitioner before
administering.
Antibiotics - CORRECT ANSWER - Use: Medications used to treat infections caused by
bacteria
Special Considerations: watch for allergies, finish entire prescription
Anticholinergic medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Treat the muscle movement
disorders seen with antipsychotic medication. Make sure child drinks plenty of water.
Anticonvulsant - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that are used to control seizures.
May require periodic blood work.
Antidepressant - CORRECT ANSWER - Medication used to treat depression. Suicidal
thoughts and behaviors may increase in children.
Antifungal - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications used to treat fungal infections. Keep
infected area clean and dry
Antihistamines - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that reduce the symptoms of
allergies. May cause drowsiness.
Antipsychotic medication - CORRECT ANSWER - Treat psychotic conditions (also
known as neuroleptics). Difficulty swallowing, drooling, facial tics or twitches, changes in gait
may be a serious side effect-report to chain of command.
Antipyretic - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that reduce a fever
, Antitussives - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications that suppress the cough reflex; stop a
cough. May mask signs of respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
Antiviral medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Treat viral infections; do not cure illness,
but control symptoms
Asthma Management Plan - CORRECT ANSWER - A child's specific plan for treating his
asthma including avoiding triggers, monitoring breathing, medications for prevent asthma attacks
and medications to treat an attack if it occurs
Asthma Prevention (maintenance) medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications
prescribed to keep asthma under control and prevent attacks from happening
Asthma Rescue medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications used to stop an asthma
attack quickly. Albuterol is most often the asthma rescue medication. Inhaled through MDI or
nebulizer
Borrowing - CORRECT ANSWER - Using one's child medication to give to a second
child because the second child's medication supply has run out
Bronchial constriction - CORRECT ANSWER - Tightening of the airway. One of the
physical components of asthma
Bronchodilator - CORRECT ANSWER - Medication that opens constricted airways
Calibrated measuring cup - CORRECT ANSWER - A measuring cup with standard,
accurate measurements for liquid medications
Cardiovascular medications - CORRECT ANSWER - Treat heart (cardiac) and blood
pressure problems. BP and pulse must be checked routinely
