Glossary

when food that is broken down enters the bloodstream and its nutrients are put to work

the action of causing a device to deliver medication, such as pressing the top of the canister or twisting an inhaler to prepare the dose

when another medication is given alongside or in addition to a primary medication used to treat a particular condition

medications with a primary use other than pain relief that have analgesic properties in some painful conditions

a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of certain hormones, such as cortisol

the pressure that the heart needs to contract to eject blood

distressing motor restlessness and the need to move

stimulant drugs that speed up the central nervous system

ballooning of a blood vessel caused by weakening of the vessel wall

chest pain caused by lack of blood flow (and oxygen) to cardiac cells

chest pain caused by inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to an area of the heart

lack of interest in activities once enjoyed

an inflammatory disease that can cause some of the bones in the spine to fuse

a decrease in the therapeutic effects of a medication

a substance that opposes or prevents coagulation

medication used to treat nausea and vomiting

medications used to treat nausea and vomiting

medication used to prevent platelets from adhering to each other and forming blood clots

medication used to reduce fevers

medication used to treat a cough

irregular heart rhythm

hardening of the arteries

joint replacement surgery

hardened with plaque

irregular and fast heartbeat that can lead to other pathologies

antibiotics that kill bacteria

antibiotics that fight off bacteria by slowing their growth

the strictest labeling requirements the FDA can mandate for prescription medications, often because of potential adverse effects that can occur when a medication is taken

gel-like clumps of blood

slow heart rate

drug names that are created by drug companies; vary worldwide

antibiotics that work for many types of bacterial infections

antibiotics that work for many types of bacterial infections

narrowing of the bronchioles

narrowing of the bronchioles

opening or widening of the bronchioles

when the muscles that surround the bronchi tighten

when the muscles that surround the bronchi tighten

cancer causing or producing

heart stops beating suddenly

a stroke; often abbreviated as CVA

when digestive secretions break down complex food molecules into their chemical building blocks

the kidneys are damaged and no longer work properly

the formation of a thrombus or blood clot

a form of structured, time-limited, problem-focused, and goal-oriented therapy

a resource for referencing drug information

an inflammation of the conjunctiva, causing watery, red, and swollen eyes; also known as "pink eye"

disease caused by plaque buildup in the arteries

an enzyme that helps create the chemical prostaglandin

when undigested materials are removed from the body as feces

fixed false beliefs that cannot be changed through reasoning

sweating

a type of inhaler device that contains medication in powder form that is inhaled into the lungs

increase in urine output

medication that promotes polyuria (increased urine output)

painful menstruation

shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

painful muscle spasms

electrocardiogram

swelling in the body, often in the lower limbs

a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain to intentionally trigger a brief seizure

a record of the electricity in the brain; abbreviated as EEG

small pieces of a blood clot that break off; singular form is embolus

small piece of a blood clot that breaks off; plural form is emboli

originating from within an organism

a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness

also known as a lipid

an uncoordinated beating of the heart

lack of observable expressions of emotions, monotone voice, expressionless face, and immobile body

standard drug names known worldwide

a type of cell that provides physical and chemical support to neurons and maintains their environment

the build-up of uric acid within a joint

a type of bacteria that can cause peptic ulcers

hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or feeling touched by things that are not there

an egg-shaped inhaler device used to deliver medication into the lungs; the medication is inserted into the inhaler in capsule form

myocardial infarction; abbreviated as MI

failure of the heart to pump well; the heart becomes weakened and can't supply the cells with enough blood

a type of bacteria that can cause peptic ulcers

the percentage of red blood cells in blood

the formation of blood cellular components

the oxygen-carrying compound in erythrocytes (red blood cells)

bleeding caused by blood vessel rupture

the steady state of body systems that living organisms maintain

high blood sugar

high lipid levels in the blood

high blood pressure

having high blood pressure

a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much of certain hormones (T3 and T4)

low blood sugar

low potassium levels

low sodium levels in the blood

a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain hormones (T3 and T4)

decreased supply of oxygen to the tissues

the inability to hold urine or control urination

entry of food into the alimentary canal through the mouth

the action of restricting or hindering a process

a test that measures the time required for blood to clot; abbreviated as INR

injected into the muscle

pertaining to within the vein

pertaining to within the vein

reduced blood flow to the tissue region “downstream” of a narrowed vessel

a serious complication from diabetes that results from the body breaking down fat as fuel, which causes a build-up of acids called ketones in the bloodstream and can be life threatening

a type of white blood cell involved in immune function

white blood cells involved in immune function

extreme emotional highs; often associated with bipolar disorder

chewing

the purely physical process of breaking food down

lower part of the brain that controls such functions as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure

an inhaler that delivers medication by inhalation into the lungs; sometimes called a "puffer"

the fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibres

heart attack

the presence of myoglobin in the blood; often seen with excessive exercise

a type of analgesic medication that is available with a prescription, is highly regulated, and is used to treat moderate to severe pain

analgesic medications that are available with a prescription, are highly regulated, and are used to treat moderate to severe pain

antibiotics that target only specific types of bacterial pathogens

the feeling of being sick to your stomach

a small ampoule of liquid medication that is used with a nebulizer

a device that turns liquid medication into a mist that is inhaled into the lungs using a facemask

disease caused by damage or injury to the nerves

disease of the nerves

chemical messengers in the body

nerve endings that respond to painful stimuli

analgesic medications that are often available without a prescription and are used to treat mild to moderate pain

a membrane-enclosed organelle within a cell that contains the chromosomes

fungal infection of the nail

small structures in a cell that are surrounded by a membrane and have a specific function

a decrease in blood pressure when moving from a sitting to a standing position

bone-building cells

cells that eat away bone

a type of arrhythmia that presents with a regular but rapid heartbeat that starts and stops abruptly

a blood test that looks at how long it takes for blood to clot; abbreviated as PTT

an organism that causes disease to its host

organisms that cause disease to their host

obstruction of the vessels in peripheral regions of the body

obstruction of blood vessels in peripheral regions of the body

swelling of the limbs, usually the legs

the contraction and relaxation of muscles that move in a wave down a tube, for example, in the intestines

inflammation of the peritoneum

the science that deals with the actions of medications on the body

eye discomfort in bright light; sensitivity to light

blood clotting

urinating more than usual or producing an abnormal amount of urine

a psychological condition in which a person speaks minimally or makes only brief replies

prolonged erection of the penis

abbreviation for "as needed"

the movement of food through the digestive tract

a group of lipids that are made at sites of tissue damage or infection

a test that evaluates blood clotting

also known as "talk therapy"; a way to help people with a broad variety of mental illnesses and various emotional difficulties

excess fluid in the lungs

a blood clot in the lungs

disease of the retina

sinoatrial node, which is responsible for the contraction of the atria

a medication with a low potential for abuse

normal sinus rhythm is a regular heartbeat

a plastic device attached to an inhaler that holds the medication while the patient inhales the entire dose

increase in muscle tone or stiffness

a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

under all the layers of the skin

under the tongue

under the tongue

irregular heart rhythm

the point of contact between neurons where information is passed from one neuron to the next

fainting

an increase in the therapeutic effects of a medication

increased heart rate

slowly lowering the dose of a medication

medications used to dissolve a major clot quickly

a blood clot that forms in a vein or artery

removal of the thyroid

superficial skin infection

a state of continuous activity

a seizure characterized by a jerking (clonic) phase followed by the muscles becoming tense or rigid (tonic)

also know as a mini-stroke; often abbreviated as TIA

an inhaler device that contains a powdered medication that is inhaled into the lungs

an amino acid that helps regulate blood pressure; found in dried fruit such as raisins, apricots, and prunes, as well as in oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and pineapples

inflammation of the blood vessels

widening of the blood vessels

irregular heartbeat in the ventricles

thickness or consistency

having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid