The therapeutic effect of a medication on the body
Action
The process by which medications travel through body tissues until they reach the blood stream
Absorption
An oral medication that binds and adsorbs infested toxins in the gastrointestinal tract from treatment of some poisoning and medication overdose. Charcoal is ground into a very fine powder that provides the greatest possible surface area for binding medications that have been taken by mouth; it is carried on EMS unit.
Activated charcoal
The process of binding or sticking to a surface
Adsorption
A medication that causes stimulation of the receptors
Agonist
A medication that binds to a receptor and blocks other medications
Antagonist
A medication that is an antipyretic (reduce fever), analgesic (reduce pain), anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation), and potent inhibitor of playlet aggregation (clumping).
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA)
Conditions that make a particular medication or treatment inappropriate, for example, a condition in which a medication should not be given because it would not help or may actually harm the patient
Contraindications
The amount of medication given on the basis of the patients size and age
Does
When the EMT directly administers the medication to the patient
EMT -administered medication
Medications that enter the body through the digestive system
Enteral medication
A medication that increases heart rate and blood pressure but also eases breathing problems by decreasing muscle tone of the bronchioles tree; you may be allowed to help the patient self-administer is the medication
Epinephrine
A semiliquid substance that is administered orally in capsule form or though plastic tubes
Gel
The original chemical name of a medication (in contrast with one of its “trade names”); the name is not capitalized
Generic name
An abnormally low blood glucose level
Hypoglycemia
The therapeutic use for a specific medication delivery route.
Indications
Breathing into the lungs; a medication delivery route
Inhalation
The effect that medication is expected to have on the body
Intended effect
An injection into a muscle; a medication delivery route
Intramuscular (IM) injection
A delivery route in which medication is pushed through a specialized atomizer device called a mucosal atomizer device (MAD) into the nare.
Intranasal (IN)
Into the bone; a medication delivery route
Intraosseous (IO)
An injection directly into a vein; a medication delivery route
Intravenous (IV) injection
A chemical substance that is used to treat or prevent disease or relieve pain
Medication
A miniature spray canister through which droplets or particles of medication may be inhaled
Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
A device that is used to change a liquid medication into a spray and pushes it into a nostril
Mucosal atomizer device (MAD)
A medication that increases cardiac perfusion by causing arteries to dilate; you may be allowed to help you the patient self-administer the medication
Nitroglycerin
By mouth; a medication delivery route
Oral
A simple sugar that is readily absorbed by the bloodstream; it is carried on the EMS unit.
Oral glucose
Medication that may be purchased directly by a patient without a prescription
Over the counter (OTC) medications
A gas that all cells need for metabolism; heart and brain, especially, cannot function without oxygen
Oxygen
Medication that enter the body by a route other than the digestive tract, skin or mucous membranes
Parenteral medications
When the EMT assists the patient with the administration of his or her own medications
Patient-assisted medication
When the EMT administers medication to him or herself or to a partner.
Peer-assisted medications
Through the mouth; a medication delivery route; same as oral
Per os (PO)
Through the rectum; a medication delivery route
Per rectumn(PR)
The process by which medication works on the body
Pharmacodynamics
The study of the properties and effects of medications
Pharmacology
The use of multiple medication on a regular basis.
Polypharmacy
Medication that are distributed to patients only by pharmacists according to a physician’s order.
Prescription medications
Any effects of a medication other than the desired ones
Side effects
A liquid mixture that cannot be separated by filtering or allowing the mixture to stand.
Solution
Injection into the tissue between the skin and muscles; a medication delivery route
Subcutaneous (SC) injection
Under the tongue; a medication delivery route
Sublingual (SL)
A mixture of ground particles that are distributed evenly throughout a liquid but do not dissolve
Suspension
Lotions, creams, and ointments that are applied to the surface of the skin and affect only that area; a medication delivery route
Topical medications
The brand name that a manufacturer gives medication; the name is capitalized.
Trade name
Through the skin; medication delivery route
Transcutaneous (transdermal)
Actions that are undesirable but pose little risk to the patient
Unintended effect
Actions that can be harmful to the patient
Untoward effects