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Medicine LibreTexts

11.5: Key Terms

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adverse reaction
an unwanted and undesirable effect of a drug
allergic reaction
an immune system response to a drug
anaphylaxis
a rare, life-threatening reaction to a drug
apothecary system
a system of measurement that utilizes fractions as a part of the whole to measure weights and volumes
aspirate
to pull back on the plunger to assess for blood return
buccally
between the cheek and gum
capsule
a powder or granules contained in a gelatin shell
catheter
a small hollow tube placed in a vein
computerized provider order entry (CPOE)
a patient order that the provider submits electronically
dependence
a condition in which a patient depends on the drug in order to function
drug interaction
a drug reaction with another drug, food, supplement, or medical condition
drug toxicity
the degree to which a drug can be poisonous or harmful to the body
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
ear drop
liquid medication applied into the ear canal
enteric-coated tablet
a tablet covered in a substance that delays the medication from dissolving
extravasation
the infiltration of damaging IV medications into the extravascular tissue around the site of infusion
eye drop
liquid medication intended for use in the eye
gauge
the diameter of the hole in a needle
household system
a system of measurement utilizes everyday household items, such as measuring cups and tablespoons, to serve as the measuring device
infiltration
the leakage of IV fluid into surrounding tissue as a result of the tip of the catheter slipping out of the vein.
inhaler
a pocket-sized device that delivers medications into the lungs without the use of electricity
intradermal (ID)
occurring within the dermis layer of the skin, just below the epidermis
intramuscular (IM)
occurring within the muscle tissue
medication order
a prescription ordered within clinical practice
metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
a device that uses electricity to create an aerosolized mist of medication that is inhaled into the lungs
metric system
a decimal-based system based on units of ten
nasal
relating to the nose or nostrils
nebulizer
a small electric or battery-powered machine that delivers a fine mist of liquid medications
ointment
greasy semisolid that uses body warmth to melt into tiny drops
one-time order
medication to be administered just one time
ophthalmic
relating to the eye
otic
relating to or located near the ear
paradoxical effect
an effect of a drug that is opposite from the intended effect
patency
the state of being open and unobstructed
phlebitis
inflammation of a vein
PRN order
a medication order that is administered as needed
rectal
relating to or affecting the rectum
routine order
a medication order that is continuously followed until canceled
side effect
a predictable, undesirable effect related to a drug
spacer
a clear tube that fits between the inhaler and the mouthpiece, allowing the medication to move into the spacer for the patient to inhale more slowly and with control
standing order
a standardized order that may be implemented under certain circumstances
STAT order
a medication order that is urgent or requires immediate action
subcutaneous (SQ)
relating to or affecting the fatty tissue layer just beneath the skin
sublingually
under the tongue
tablet
powder or granules compressed into a pill shape
timed-release
consisting of or containing medication that is released in small amounts over time for prolonged action
titration order
a medication dose that is either progressively increased or decreased by the nurse in response to the patient’s status
tolerance
a decrease in the effectiveness of a drug over time due to repeated use
vaginal
relating to or affecting the vagina
wheal
a small, raised, and usually pale bump that forms at an injection site

This page titled 11.5: Key Terms is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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