DCF MED CERT STUDY GUIDE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Absorption -ANSThe movement of medication from the stomach or intestines into the
bloodstream
Active ingredient -ANSThe actual medication that brings about the desired effect or
benefit the medication is prescribed for
Administer -ANSTo give a properly dispensed medication to a child according to a
licensed practitioner's order
Adverse reaction -ANSUnexpected and possibly serious or life-threatening effects of a
medication
Airway -ANSThe "tubes" air flows through for breathing including the trachea (windpipe)
and bronchial (airways in lungs)
Albuterol -ANSGeneric name of most commonly prescribed asthma medication. Trade
names: Proventil, Ventolin
Allergic reaction -ANSA 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 -ANSMedications that relieve pain
Anaphylaxis -ANSA severe, potentially life threatening allergic reaction that requires
immediate emergency medical care
Anatacids -ANSMedications that reduce the acid in the stomach
Antianxiety medications -ANSTreat anxiety, tension, and nervousness. If medication is
prescribed for PRN, staff must consult licensed practitioner before administering.
Antibiotics -ANSUse: Medications used to treat infections caused by bacteria
Special Considerations: watch for allergies, finish entire prescription
Anticholinergic medications -ANSTreat the muscle movement disorders seen with
antipsychotic medication. Make sure child drinks plenty of water.
, Anticonvulsant -ANSMedications that are used to control seizures. May require periodic
blood work.
Antidepressant -ANSMedication used to treat depression. Suicidal thoughts and
behaviors may increase in children.
Antifungal -ANSMedications used to treat fungal infections. Keep infected area clean
and dry
Antihistamines -ANSMedications that reduce the symptoms of allergies. May cause
drowsiness.
Antipsychotic medication -ANSTreat 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 -ANSMedications that reduce a fever
Antitussives -ANSMedications that suppress the cough reflex; stop a cough. May mask
signs of respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
Antiviral medications -ANSTreat viral infections; do not cure illness, but control
symptoms
Asthma Management Plan -ANSA 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 -ANSMedications prescribed to keep
asthma under control and prevent attacks from happening
Asthma Rescue medications -ANSMedications used to stop an asthma attack quickly.
Albuterol is most often the asthma rescue medication. Inhaled through MDI or nebulizer
Borrowing -ANSUsing one's child medication to give to a second child because the
second child's medication supply has run out
Bronchial constriction -ANSTightening of the airway. One of the physical components of
asthma
Bronchodilator -ANSMedication that opens constricted airways
Calibrated measuring cup -ANSA measuring cup with standard, accurate
measurements for liquid medications
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Absorption -ANSThe movement of medication from the stomach or intestines into the
bloodstream
Active ingredient -ANSThe actual medication that brings about the desired effect or
benefit the medication is prescribed for
Administer -ANSTo give a properly dispensed medication to a child according to a
licensed practitioner's order
Adverse reaction -ANSUnexpected and possibly serious or life-threatening effects of a
medication
Airway -ANSThe "tubes" air flows through for breathing including the trachea (windpipe)
and bronchial (airways in lungs)
Albuterol -ANSGeneric name of most commonly prescribed asthma medication. Trade
names: Proventil, Ventolin
Allergic reaction -ANSA 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 -ANSMedications that relieve pain
Anaphylaxis -ANSA severe, potentially life threatening allergic reaction that requires
immediate emergency medical care
Anatacids -ANSMedications that reduce the acid in the stomach
Antianxiety medications -ANSTreat anxiety, tension, and nervousness. If medication is
prescribed for PRN, staff must consult licensed practitioner before administering.
Antibiotics -ANSUse: Medications used to treat infections caused by bacteria
Special Considerations: watch for allergies, finish entire prescription
Anticholinergic medications -ANSTreat the muscle movement disorders seen with
antipsychotic medication. Make sure child drinks plenty of water.
, Anticonvulsant -ANSMedications that are used to control seizures. May require periodic
blood work.
Antidepressant -ANSMedication used to treat depression. Suicidal thoughts and
behaviors may increase in children.
Antifungal -ANSMedications used to treat fungal infections. Keep infected area clean
and dry
Antihistamines -ANSMedications that reduce the symptoms of allergies. May cause
drowsiness.
Antipsychotic medication -ANSTreat 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 -ANSMedications that reduce a fever
Antitussives -ANSMedications that suppress the cough reflex; stop a cough. May mask
signs of respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
Antiviral medications -ANSTreat viral infections; do not cure illness, but control
symptoms
Asthma Management Plan -ANSA 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 -ANSMedications prescribed to keep
asthma under control and prevent attacks from happening
Asthma Rescue medications -ANSMedications used to stop an asthma attack quickly.
Albuterol is most often the asthma rescue medication. Inhaled through MDI or nebulizer
Borrowing -ANSUsing one's child medication to give to a second child because the
second child's medication supply has run out
Bronchial constriction -ANSTightening of the airway. One of the physical components of
asthma
Bronchodilator -ANSMedication that opens constricted airways
Calibrated measuring cup -ANSA measuring cup with standard, accurate
measurements for liquid medications
