CORRECT Answers
pharmacology - CORRECT ANSWER - study of substances that interact with living
organisms through chemical processes
medical pharmacology - CORRECT ANSWER - science of substances used to prevent,
diagnose and treat disease
indication - CORRECT ANSWER - reason or condition for which a particular medication
is given
dose - CORRECT ANSWER - amount of medication given within a specified period of
time
single dose - CORRECT ANSWER - amount of medication administered at one time
maximum dose - CORRECT ANSWER - the largest amount of medication either as a
single dose or within a period of time
cumulative dose - CORRECT ANSWER - sum of all single doses over either a lifetime or
a period of time
strength - CORRECT ANSWER - amount of medication contained per tablet, capsule,
suppository, etc
titration - CORRECT ANSWER - administering a medication with variable strength,
interval, and quantity to achieve and maintain a desired observable physiological effect (pain
ctrl)
,contraindication - CORRECT ANSWER - medical reason not to give a medication
absolute contraindication - CORRECT ANSWER - medical reason to NEVER give a
medication
relative contraindication - CORRECT ANSWER - medical reason a medication should not
be given, but may be acceptable in certain circumstances
allergy - CORRECT ANSWER - immune response in which there is a hypersensitivity
response induced by exposure to a particular medication
side effect - CORRECT ANSWER - unintended, but not surprising consequence of a
medication which may require a medication dose be changed or discontinued
therapeutic effect - CORRECT ANSWER - desired change in physiology for administering
the medication
therapeutic level - CORRECT ANSWER - blood level of a medication required to achieve
the therapeutic effect
toxic level - CORRECT ANSWER - blood level of a medication which will cause tissue
damage
therapeutic range - CORRECT ANSWER - variable blood levels of a medication between
the therapeutic level and the toxic level
therapeutic window - CORRECT ANSWER - range of acceptable DOSAGES of a
medication needed to keep blood levels within the therapeutic range
peak - CORRECT ANSWER - when medication is at its highest concentration
,trough - CORRECT ANSWER - lowest blood level of a medication between doses
half-life - CORRECT ANSWER - time it takes for the body to eliminate half the dose of
medication
steady state - CORRECT ANSWER - relatively constant blood level of medication which
is sustained after 5-6 half lives of a medication
tolerance - CORRECT ANSWER - when the body has adapted to having a medication
regularly and now requires a higher or more frequent doses to achieve the therapeutic effect
resistance - CORRECT ANSWER - when infectious organisms adapt to antibiotics and it
takes either higher doses of same medication or a change to a different medication to kill the
organisms
metabolism - CORRECT ANSWER - process of the body to break down and eliminate
medications most metabolized by the liver or kidneys
dosing interval - CORRECT ANSWER - recommended time period between doses of a
medication
onset - CORRECT ANSWER - time until a medication's therapeutic effect begins
duration of effect - CORRECT ANSWER - time until the medication's therapeutic effect
wears off
duration of therapy - CORRECT ANSWER - length of time a course of medication is
continued to ensure the desired effect is maintained
, dosing parameters - CORRECT ANSWER - the limitations, considerations, and
instructions required regarding a medication; helps achieve the desired physiological response
minimize side effects
Body weight, Comorbidities, Age - CORRECT ANSWER - What are factors that affect
dosing
Importance for patients to understand dosing parameters - CORRECT ANSWER - -too
little: not achieve therapeutic effects
-too much: increased side effects/toxic levels
Antibiotics - CORRECT ANSWER - Medications which kill or inhibit the reproduction of
bacteria
Gram Stain Testing - CORRECT ANSWER - Categorizes bacteria classification based
upon chemical properties in the cell's membrane.
Gram positive - CORRECT ANSWER - Indicates the presence of peptidoglycan
Peptidoglycan - CORRECT ANSWER - the substance that forms a tough, rigid structure
of the bacterium cell wall
Gram Negative - CORRECT ANSWER - the cell membrane outer structure consists of a
cytoplasmic membrane surrounded by a thin layer of peptidoglycan.
Aerobic - CORRECT ANSWER - bacteria that thrives only in an oxygen environment
Anaerobic - CORRECT ANSWER - bacteria that grow well in the absence of oxygen
Viruses and fungi - CORRECT ANSWER - Antibiotics are not effective on what?