Nursing Intro to Pharmacology: Key Terms and Definations
Absorbing surface - ansMore drug absorption with larger surface area (intestinal mucosa) Avoid scar tissue or
broken skin.
Absorption - ansis the process by which a drug passess into the bloodstream, where the drug molecules travel
to their sites of action. Many factors affect drug absorption
ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) - ans(drugs effecting the cardiovascular system) Prevents
production of angiotensin II (potent vasoconstrictor) EX- captopril, Zestril SE- Orthostatic hypotension
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - ans(NSAID) Synthetic, nonopiod drug (not to exceed 4g in 24 hrs), Analgesic,
Antipyretic. Toxicity - Hepatic necrosis
Acute therapy - ansIntensive drug therapy, critically ill, emergency
Additive effect - ans(1+1=2) Two or more drugs with the same effects that results in a combined effect (Asprin
& codine)
Adrenal Agents - ans(drugs that effect the renal/genitourinary system) Corticosteriods
Adrenergic agents - ans(drugs effecting the cardiovascular system) vasodialation/vasocontriction & decrease
HR.SE- orthostatic hypotension
Adrenergic Agents: Sympathomimetics or adrenergic agonists - ans(drug effecting the ANS) Mimics the effects
of neurotransmitter norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine. Produces "Fight or Flight" response - results
in vasoconstriction (increased BP), broncodilation & cardiac stimulation. Uses: anorexiants, bronchodialation
nasal decongestants Ex: epinephrine (Adrenalin)
Adverse drug reactions (ADR), adverse effect, side effect - ansAny unintended or undesired response to a
standard drug dose. Two major catagories: Type A Reaction & Type B Reaction
,Agonist (drug effect) - ansDrug binds to receptor, there is a response
Alpha-blockers - ans(drug effecting the ANS) Leads to vasodilation, decreased BP, pupil constriction. Ex:
prazosin (Minipress) - antihypertensive.
Aminoglycosides - ans(Antiinfective agents) Bactericidal. Very potent & capable of serious toxicities: renal
failure and hearling loss. Monitor peak and trough levels. EX- gentamicin
Amphetamines - ans(drug effecting the CNS) Used to treat ADD, narcolepsy and obesity. Very potent CNS
stimulators with very high abuse potential.
Analgesics - ans(drug effecting the CNS) Relieve/prevent pain without loss of consciousness.
Anaphylactic reaction - ansIs a severe allergic reaction, usually occurs immediately after administration and can
be fatal if not detected and treated. Earliest symptoms: SOB, acute hypotension, tachycardia
Andrenergic-blocking agents - ans(drug effecting the ANS) Sympatholytics; these antagonists inhibit
sympathetic stimulation, resulting in vasodialtion (decreased BP), decreased heart rate, conduction and force
of contraction. Some constrict bronchioles and blood vessels
Antacids - ans(GI & Nutritional agents) Used to correct too much acid production and hyperacidity of the
stomache. Many prescription and OTC preps contain Mg (cause constipation)
Antagonist (drug effect) - ansDrug binds to receptor, there is NO response
Antagonistic effect - ans(1+1=0) One drug deminishes or eliminates the effects of another one (Narcan)
Antianginal Agents - ans(drugs effecting the cardiovascular system) Used to treat and prevent attacks of angina
pectoris by reducing heart's O2 demand or increasing O2 supply.
, Antianxiety - ans(drug effecting the CNS) By reducing over activity in the CNS
Antibiotics - ans(Antiinfective agents) help the body combat infection by inhibiting growth of bacteria
(bacteriostatic) or by killy bacteria (bacteriocidal). Not effective against viruses or fungi. Monitor for
hypersensitivity & allergic reactions.
Anticholinergics - ans(drug that effects the respiratory system) ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)
Anticoaglulants - ans(drugs effecting the cardiovascular system) Inhibit certain clotting factors to prevent clot
formation. EX- heparin (IV, sq) protamine(antidote), warfarin (coumadin), vitamin K (antidote)
Antidepressants - ans(drug effecting the CNS) Used to treat depression and elevate mood. (fluoxetine - Prozac)
Antidiabetic & Hypoglycemic Agents - ans(drugs that effect the renal/genitourinary system) Used in the
treatment of Deabetes Mellitus, which is insufficient insulin production by the beta cells of the pancreas. Type I
or juvenille - body produces NO insulin, Type II - body produces insufficient amounts of insulin.
Antidiarrheals - ans(GI & Nutritional agents) agents used to treat diarrhea, include absorbants, anticholinergics,
intestinal flora modifiers and opiates. EX- (Kaipectate, Lomotil, Imodium)
Antidysrhythmic Agents - ans(drugs effecting the cardiovascular system) Used to suppress cardiac arrhythmias
by a variety of mechanisms depending on group used. Used to control rate, thythm & conduction of heart.
Check AP for 1 min notify MD <50
Antiemetic (Antinausea) Agents - ans(GI & Nutritional agents) Drugs used to relieve nausea and vomiting, EX-
hydrOXYzine (Vistaril), Marinol
Antiepileptic Agent (Anticonvulsants) - ans(drug effecting the CNS) Used to prevent seizures associated with
epilepsy. Many classes of drugs, often in combination. Many side effects and must monitor closely. (phenytoin -
Dilantin)
Absorbing surface - ansMore drug absorption with larger surface area (intestinal mucosa) Avoid scar tissue or
broken skin.
Absorption - ansis the process by which a drug passess into the bloodstream, where the drug molecules travel
to their sites of action. Many factors affect drug absorption
ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) - ans(drugs effecting the cardiovascular system) Prevents
production of angiotensin II (potent vasoconstrictor) EX- captopril, Zestril SE- Orthostatic hypotension
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - ans(NSAID) Synthetic, nonopiod drug (not to exceed 4g in 24 hrs), Analgesic,
Antipyretic. Toxicity - Hepatic necrosis
Acute therapy - ansIntensive drug therapy, critically ill, emergency
Additive effect - ans(1+1=2) Two or more drugs with the same effects that results in a combined effect (Asprin
& codine)
Adrenal Agents - ans(drugs that effect the renal/genitourinary system) Corticosteriods
Adrenergic agents - ans(drugs effecting the cardiovascular system) vasodialation/vasocontriction & decrease
HR.SE- orthostatic hypotension
Adrenergic Agents: Sympathomimetics or adrenergic agonists - ans(drug effecting the ANS) Mimics the effects
of neurotransmitter norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine. Produces "Fight or Flight" response - results
in vasoconstriction (increased BP), broncodilation & cardiac stimulation. Uses: anorexiants, bronchodialation
nasal decongestants Ex: epinephrine (Adrenalin)
Adverse drug reactions (ADR), adverse effect, side effect - ansAny unintended or undesired response to a
standard drug dose. Two major catagories: Type A Reaction & Type B Reaction
,Agonist (drug effect) - ansDrug binds to receptor, there is a response
Alpha-blockers - ans(drug effecting the ANS) Leads to vasodilation, decreased BP, pupil constriction. Ex:
prazosin (Minipress) - antihypertensive.
Aminoglycosides - ans(Antiinfective agents) Bactericidal. Very potent & capable of serious toxicities: renal
failure and hearling loss. Monitor peak and trough levels. EX- gentamicin
Amphetamines - ans(drug effecting the CNS) Used to treat ADD, narcolepsy and obesity. Very potent CNS
stimulators with very high abuse potential.
Analgesics - ans(drug effecting the CNS) Relieve/prevent pain without loss of consciousness.
Anaphylactic reaction - ansIs a severe allergic reaction, usually occurs immediately after administration and can
be fatal if not detected and treated. Earliest symptoms: SOB, acute hypotension, tachycardia
Andrenergic-blocking agents - ans(drug effecting the ANS) Sympatholytics; these antagonists inhibit
sympathetic stimulation, resulting in vasodialtion (decreased BP), decreased heart rate, conduction and force
of contraction. Some constrict bronchioles and blood vessels
Antacids - ans(GI & Nutritional agents) Used to correct too much acid production and hyperacidity of the
stomache. Many prescription and OTC preps contain Mg (cause constipation)
Antagonist (drug effect) - ansDrug binds to receptor, there is NO response
Antagonistic effect - ans(1+1=0) One drug deminishes or eliminates the effects of another one (Narcan)
Antianginal Agents - ans(drugs effecting the cardiovascular system) Used to treat and prevent attacks of angina
pectoris by reducing heart's O2 demand or increasing O2 supply.
, Antianxiety - ans(drug effecting the CNS) By reducing over activity in the CNS
Antibiotics - ans(Antiinfective agents) help the body combat infection by inhibiting growth of bacteria
(bacteriostatic) or by killy bacteria (bacteriocidal). Not effective against viruses or fungi. Monitor for
hypersensitivity & allergic reactions.
Anticholinergics - ans(drug that effects the respiratory system) ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)
Anticoaglulants - ans(drugs effecting the cardiovascular system) Inhibit certain clotting factors to prevent clot
formation. EX- heparin (IV, sq) protamine(antidote), warfarin (coumadin), vitamin K (antidote)
Antidepressants - ans(drug effecting the CNS) Used to treat depression and elevate mood. (fluoxetine - Prozac)
Antidiabetic & Hypoglycemic Agents - ans(drugs that effect the renal/genitourinary system) Used in the
treatment of Deabetes Mellitus, which is insufficient insulin production by the beta cells of the pancreas. Type I
or juvenille - body produces NO insulin, Type II - body produces insufficient amounts of insulin.
Antidiarrheals - ans(GI & Nutritional agents) agents used to treat diarrhea, include absorbants, anticholinergics,
intestinal flora modifiers and opiates. EX- (Kaipectate, Lomotil, Imodium)
Antidysrhythmic Agents - ans(drugs effecting the cardiovascular system) Used to suppress cardiac arrhythmias
by a variety of mechanisms depending on group used. Used to control rate, thythm & conduction of heart.
Check AP for 1 min notify MD <50
Antiemetic (Antinausea) Agents - ans(GI & Nutritional agents) Drugs used to relieve nausea and vomiting, EX-
hydrOXYzine (Vistaril), Marinol
Antiepileptic Agent (Anticonvulsants) - ans(drug effecting the CNS) Used to prevent seizures associated with
epilepsy. Many classes of drugs, often in combination. Many side effects and must monitor closely. (phenytoin -
Dilantin)
