Pharmacology Key Terms Quiz

Study Notes

Pharmacology Key Terms and Concepts

Absorption: Movement of drug molecules from entry point into general circulation.
Acetylcholine: Major neurotransmitter influencing nervous system synaptic activity.
Adrenergic: Related to sympathetic nerve fibers using epinephrine as a neurotransmitter.
Agonists: Drugs that activate receptors to elicit a biological response.
Alpha-Adrenergic Receptor: Receptor that responds to norepinephrine and blocking agents.
Antagonists: Agents that prevent or counteract drug effects or physiological responses.
Anticholinergic: Blocks acetylcholine receptors, inhibiting parasympathetic nerve impulses.
Beta-Adrenergic Receptor: Responds to epinephrine and various blocking agents.
Biological Half-Life: Time taken to eliminate 50% of a drug from the body.
Biotransformation: Chemical conversion of a drug into metabolites.
Blood-Brain Barrier: Protective barrier limiting chemical passage from blood to the CNS.
Blood Coagulation: Formation of a stable fibrin clot from blood components.
Chemical Name: Precise designation of a drug's chemical structure.
Cholinergic: Related to the parasympathetic nervous system's effects.
Cumulative Action: Resulting effect from multiple doses or faster absorption than elimination.
Distribution: Transport of a drug throughout the bloodstream.
Drug-Protein Complex: Formation where drugs bind to proteins like albumin.
Dystonia: Neurological condition causing agonizing muscle spasms and abnormal postures.
Effective Dose (ED50): Dose producing therapeutic response in 50% of subjects.
Endorphin: Brain-secreted peptides that provide pain relief.
First Pass Metabolism: Drug metabolism in the liver before entering general circulation.
Excretion: Removal of inactive or toxic metabolites, primarily via kidneys.
Idiosyncrasy: Unusual or abnormal responses to a drug.
Orphan Drug: Medications developed for rare diseases or conditions.
Parenteral: Any medication route not involving the gastrointestinal tract.
Partial Reabsorption: Passive diffusion process occurring in renal tubules.
Pharmaceutics: Science dedicated to drug formulation and dispensing.
Pharmacokinetics: Study of bodily drug handling over time.
Pharmacodynamics: Study of how drugs act on living organisms.
Summation: Combined effects of two drugs equating to their individual effects.
Synergism: Enhanced effect when two drugs work together beyond their individual capabilities.
Tardive Dyskinesia: Neurological disorder with involuntary muscle movements.
Therapeutic Index: Measure of a drug's relative safety.
Therapeutic Range: Plasma level range providing effective treatment with lower toxicity risk.
Untoward Effects: Harmful side effects experienced by patients.
Drug Schedules: Classification of drugs based on abuse potential and medical use:
- Schedule I: High abuse potential, no medical use (e.g., heroin, LSD)
- Schedule II: High abuse potential with medical uses (e.g., morphine)
- Schedule III: Lower abuse potential, accepted medical use
- Schedule IV: Lower than Schedule III; includes benzodiazepines.
Drug Profiles Include: Drug names, classifications, actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, side effects, dosages, routes, contraindications, and storage.
Pregnancy Categories:
- A: No risk in first trimester, likely no risk later.
- C: Animal studies show adverse effects; no human studies.
- X: Significant fetal risk demonstrated.
Factors Influencing Drug Action: Age, body mass, gender, environment, administration timing, disease state, genetics, and physiology.
Drug Receptor Interaction: Primary mechanism of drug action in the body.
Onset of Action: Time from drug administration to observable effects.
Peak Plasma Level: Maximum plasma concentration achieving from a drug dose.
Duration of Action: Period from a drug’s onset until effects cease.
Lethal Dose 50 (LD50): Dose lethal to 50% of tested animals.
Grapefruit Interaction: Inhibits liver enzymes, increasing blood levels of various drugs.
Drug Reservoirs: Accumulation of drugs in body sites for later release into plasma.
Renal Excretion Mechanisms: Passive filtration, active secretion, and partial reabsorption in the kidneys.
Four Types of Nerve Fibers:
- Visceral afferent: sensory from internal organs
- Visceral efferent: motor to internal organs
- Somatic afferent: sensory from skin and muscles
- Somatic efferent: motor to skeletal muscles.

Description

Test your knowledge on key terms and concepts in pharmacology. This quiz covers critical vocabulary related to drug actions, neurotransmitters, and receptor types. Enhance your understanding of the pharmacological principles essential for effective medical practice.