General Principles
This term describes what the body does to the drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
What is Pharmacokinetics?
This common OTC NSAID should be avoided in children with viral infections to prevent Reye’s Syndrome.
What is Aspirin?
These drugs lower blood pressure by blocking the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II.
What are ACE Inhibitors?
This is the immediate reversal agent used for an opioid overdose and how can it be delivered?
What is Naloxone (Narcan)?
Injection or nasal spray
A dry, hacking cough is a notorious side effect of this class of blood pressure medications.
What are ACE Inhibitors?
This is the time required for the concentration of a drug in the body to be reduced by exactly one-half.
What is Half-Life?
This "loop diuretic" is frequently used to treat edema associated with heart failure.
What is Furosemide (Lasix)?
This class of antibiotics, including Penicillin, works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis.
What are Beta-lactams?
This parenteral route involves injecting medication into the fatty tissue layer just below the skin, commonly used for insulin.
What is Subcutaneous (SQ)?
This "Red Man Syndrome" is a common infusion-related reaction to this potent antibiotic.
What is Vancomycin?
Most drug metabolism occurs in this organ, primarily via the Cytochrome P450 system.
What is the Liver?
Patients taking this anticoagulant must maintain a consistent intake of Vitamin K (leafy greens).
What is Warfarin (Coumadin)?
Statins lower cholesterol by inhibiting this specific enzyme.
What is HMG-CoA Reductase?
When a drug is placed under the tongue to dissolve for rapid absorption into the bloodstream, it is using this route.
What is Sublingual?
When an MA is administering an allergy shot or a new medication, they must monitor the patient for 15–30 minutes for this life-threatening, whole-body allergic reaction.
What is Anaphylaxis?
While pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug, this term describes what the drug does to the body (its biochemical and physiological effects).
What is Pharmacodynamics?
This is the drug of choice for treating Type 2 Diabetes, primarily by decreasing hepatic glucose production.
What is Metformin?
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) work by irreversibly blocking this "pump" in the stomach lining.
What is the H+/K+ ATPase pump?
This "Rule of 7" (or 6) is the standard checklist MAs use to ensure safety: right patient, drug, dose, route, time, technique, and documentation.
What are the Rights of Medication Administration?
Patients on long-term corticosteroid therapy (like Prednisone) should be monitored for this "puffy face" appearance and high blood sugar.
What is Moon Face (or Cushingoid appearance)?
This mathematical value represents the range between a drug's effective dose and its toxic dose; a "narrow" one requires frequent blood monitoring.
What is the Therapeutic Index?
Toxicity from this cardiac glycoside can cause "yellow-green halos" in the vision and is worsened by low potassium levels.
What is Digoxin?
This drug acts as a "GABA-A" receptor agonist, increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening to produce a sedative effect.
What are Benzodiazepines?
To avoid hitting the bone or major nerves when giving this type of injection in the deltoid, the needle should be inserted at a 90-degree angle.
What is an Intramuscular (IM) injection?
An MA should instruct patients on this medication class (like Doxycycline) to wear sunscreen and long sleeves due to an increased risk of severe sunburn.
What is Photosensitivity?