| Absorption | Movement of a drug from the site where it is given into the bloodstream.
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| Alligation | One method for calculating dilutions.
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| Amount to administer | The volume of liquid or number of sold dosage units that contains the desired dose.
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| Ampule | Sealed container that usually holds 1 dose of liquid medication.
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| Anticoagulant | A class of medication that reduces the blood’s ability to clot.
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| Apothecary | An older system of measurement based upon a grain of wheat, other common units are the ounce, minum, and dram.
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| Biotransformation | Chemical changes of a drug in the body.
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| BSA | Body surface area stated in square meters, or m2.
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| Calibrated spoons | Specially marked spoons used to administer oral medication with accuracy.
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| Calibrations | Markings on medication equipment at various intervals.
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| Caplet | Oval-shaped pill similar to a tablet but having a coating for easy swallowing.
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| Capsule | Oval-shaped gelatin shell, usually in two pieces, that contains powder or granules.
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| Cartridges | Prefilled containers shaped like syringe barrel, generally used with a reusable syringe.
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| Celsius | A temperature scale with 0 degrees as freezing and 100 degrees as boiling; centigrade.
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| Centi ( c) | Metric prefix that indicates 1/100 of the basic unit.
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| Centigrade | A temperature scale with 0 degrees as freezing and 100 degrees as boiling; Celsius.
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| Central line | An IV line that administers large amounts of medications to major veins.
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| Complex fraction | A fraction that the numerator and the denominator are themselves fractions.
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| Critical care | Area of a medical facility where patients are more seriously ill and fast-acting, potent medications are given.
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| Cross-multiplying | Multiplying the numerator of the first fraction by the denominator of the second fraction and the denominator of the second fraction by the numerator of the first fraction, for example, A/B=C/D or A X D = B X C.
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| Cubic centimeter | Measure of volume that is the same as a milliliter (mL).
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| D5W solution | Intravenous solution of 5% dextrose in water.
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| Denominator | The bottom number of a fraction; represents the whole.
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| Desired dose | Amount of drug to be given at a single time.
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| Dilution | A solution created from an already prepared concentrated solution.
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| Dimensional analysis | A method of dosage calculations that utilizes a series of factors to calculate dosages.
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| Distribution | Movement of a drug from the bloodstream into other body tissues and fluids.
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| DMFNs (daily maintenance fluid needs) | The amount of fluids a patient needs over 24 h both oral and parental.
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| Dosage ordered | Amount of drug to give and how often it is to be given.
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| Dosage strength | Dose on hand per dosage unit; the amount of drug over the form of the drug, for example, 50 mg/tablet or 250 mg/ 5 mL; ratio strength.
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| Dosage Strength | Dose on hand per dosage unit; the amount of drug over the form of the drug, for example, 500 mg/tablet or 250 mg/5 mL; ratio strength.
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| Dosage strength | Dose on hand per dosage unit; the amount of drug over the form of the drug, for example, 500 mg/tablet or 250 mg/5 mL; ratio strength.
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| Dosage unit | The unit by which the drug will be measured when administered.
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| Dose on hand | Amount of drug contained in each dosage unit.
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| Dram | Common unit of volume in the apothecary system.
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| Drip chamber | An area on the IV equipment where the drop of fluid is visualized during an infusion.
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| Duration | The length of time that the effect of the insulin lasts.
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| Eccentric | Off-center.
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| Elimination | How a drug leaves the body.
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| Embolism | A traveling blood clot.
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| Enema | Medication or fluids delivered into the rectum.
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| Enteric-coated | Medications that only dissolve in the alkaline environment of the small intestines.
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| Equivalent fractions | Two fractions, written differently but having the same value.
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| Fahrenheit | A temperature scale where 32 degrees is freezing, 212 degrees is boiling, and average body temperature is 98.6 degrees.
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| Formula | A method of dosage calculations that utilizes a set equation (formula) to calculate the amount to administer;D/H XQ = A.
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| Fraction proportion | Mathematical statement that indicates two fractions are equal.
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| Gelcap | Medication, usually liquid in a gelatin shell; not designed to be opened.
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| Generic name | A drug’s official name.
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| Geriatric | Typically considered anyone over the age of 65.
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| Grain (gr) | Basic unit of measurement in the apothecary system.
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| Gram (g) | Basic unit for measurement of weight in the metric system.
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| Heparin lock | An infusion port attached to an already inserted catheter for IV access; flushed with heparin.
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| Heparin | An anticoagulant or medication that reduces the blood’s ability to clot.
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| Household | Common system of measurement that utilizes teaspoon, ounce, cup, pint, quart, and gallon.
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| Hypertonic | Describes fluids that draw fluids from cells and tissues across the cell membrane into the bloodstream, such as 3% saline.
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| Hypodermic syringes | Syringes used to deliver medication under the skin such as intravenously, intramuscularly, intradermally, and subcutaneously.
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| Hypotonic | Describes fluids that move across the cell membrane into surrounding cells and tissues, such as 0.45% NS and 0.33% NS.
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| IM | Intramuscular; into a muscle.
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| Infiltration | Event of an IV infusion delivering fluid outside of a blood vessel into the surrounding tissue.
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| Infusion pumps | Device that applies pressure to maintain the rate of an IV infusion, using a sensor to monitor both the rate and when the bag is empty.
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| Inhalant | Medication administered directly to the lungs, usually through metered-dose inhaler or nebulizer.
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| Instillations | Also known as drops, usually administered into the eyes or ears.
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| Insulin | A pancreatic hormone that stimulates glucose metabolism.
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| Insulin | A pancreatic hormone that stimulates glucose metabolism.
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| International Unit (IU) | Amount of medication needed to produce a certain effect; standardized by an international agreement.
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| Intradermal (ID) | Describes medication administered between the layers of skin.
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| Intramuscular (IM) | Describes medication administered into a muscle by injection.
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| Intravenous (IV) | Describes medication delivered directly to the bloodstream through a vein.
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| Intravenous (IV) | Describes medication delivered directly to the bloodstream through a vein.
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| Isotonic | Describes fluids that do not affect the fluid balance of the surrounding cells or tissues such as D5W, NS, and lactated Ringer’s.
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| IV | Intravenous, into a vein.
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| Jejunostomy tube | Tube that delivers medication and nutrients directly into the small intestines.
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| Kilo (k) | Metric prefix that indicates the basic unit times 1000.
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| KVO fluids | Fluids that provide access to the vascular system for emergency situations.
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| Leading ring | The wide ring on the tip of the plunger of a syringe that is closest to the needle; the medication is measured here.
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| Least common denominator | The smallest number that is a common multiple of all the denominators in a group of fractions.
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| Liter (L) | The basic unit for measurement of volume in the metric system.
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| Macrodrip tubing | Type of IV tubing that delivers 10, 15, or 20 drops of fluid per milliliter.
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| Maintenance fluids | Fluids that maintain the fluid and electrolyte balance for patients.
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| Means and Extremes | For the equations A : B :: C : D, A and D are the extremes (ends) and B and C are means (middle).
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| Medication administration record (MAR) | Record that contains a list of medications ordered for a patient and a space to document the administration of those medications.
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| Medicine cup | A calibrated cup used to measure and deliver medications usually holds 30 mL or 1 ounce.
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| Meniscus | A slight curve in the surface of a liquid.
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| Meter (m) | Basic unit for measurement of length in the metric system.
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| Metered dose inhaler (MDI) | Type of equipment to deliver medication into the lungs.
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| Metric | A widely used system of measurements based upon the meter for length, gram for weight and liter for volume.
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| Micro (mc) | Metric prefix that indicates 1/1,000,000 of the basic unit.
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| Microdrip tubing | Type of IV tubing that delivers 10, 15, or 20 drops of fluid per milliliter.
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| Milli (m) | Metric prefix that indicates 1/1000 of the basic unit.
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| Milliequivalents (mEq) | A unit of measure based upon the chemical combining power of the substance; defined as 1/1000 of an equivalent of a chemical.
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| Minim | Common unit of volume in the apothecary system.
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| Mixed number | Fractions with a value greater than one that combines a whole number with a fraction.
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| Nasogastric | Type of tube that carries medication through the nose to the stomach.
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| Nomogram | A special chart used to determine a patient's body surface area (BSA).
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| Numerator | The top number of a fraction; represents parts of the whole.
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| Onset | Moment when insulin begins to lower the glucose (blood sugar) level.
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| Ounce | Generally implies a fluid ounce volume when discussing medications.
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| Package insert | Paper insert that provides complete and authoritative information about a medication.
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| Parental | Route of administration other than oral; medications that are delivered outside of the digestive tract; most often refers to injections.
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| Parenteral | Route of administration other than oral; medications that are delivered outside of the digestive tract; most often refers to injections.
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| Parenteral | Route of administration other than oral; medications that are delivered outside of the digestive tract; most often refers to injections.
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| Patent controlled analgesia (PCA) | Technique that allows the patient to control the amount of pain medication delivered though an IV.
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| Peak | The time when insulin has its strongest effect upon the glucose level.
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| Pediatric | Describes patients under the age of 18 years.
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| PEG tube | Tube that delivers medication directly into the stomach.
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| Percent strength | Represents the number of grams or milliliters of a medication contained in 100 mL of a mixture.
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| Percent | Means per 100 or divided by 100.
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| Pharmacokinetics | The study of what happens to a drug after it is administered to a patient.
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| Phlebitis | Inflammation of a vein, which can be caused by an irritated IV site.
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| Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR) | A compilation of information from package inserts of medications; reprinted every year.
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| Physician order form | Written or computerized form for medication orders used in an inpatient facility; can list multiple medications.
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| PICC | Peripherally inserted central catheter; an IV line that is inserted in arm veins and threaded into a central vein, often by a specially trained nurse.
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| Polypharmacy | The practice of taking many medications at one time.
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| Port-A-Cath | A device placed surgically under the skin in the chest in order to deliver drugs into a large vein.
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| Prefilled syringes | Syringes that come from the manufacturer with the medication already inside; usually marked in mL and mg.
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| Prescription | Written or computerized form from medication order; used in outpatient settings.
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| Primary line | The main tubing that delivers an IV infusion, usually consisting of a drip chamber, clamp, and injection port(s).
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| Prime number | Number other than 1 that can be evenly divided by only itself and 1, such as 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, and 29.
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| PRN drug | A medication or drug that is only given when necessary.
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| Proportion | A mathematical statement that two ratios are equal.
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| Qsad | Abbreviation of the Latin phrase meaning "a sufficient quantity to adjust the dimensions to…" used when preparing solutions.
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| Rate controllers | Device that controls the rate of an IV infusion by using a pincher and sensor, the infusion relies on gravity.
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| Ratio proportion | Mathematical statement that indicates two ratios are equal.
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| Ratio strength | The amount of drug in a solution or the amount of drug in a solid dosage such as a tablet or capsule; dosage strength.
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| Ratio | Expression of the relationship of a part to the whole.
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| Reconstitute | Add liquid to a powder medication; must be done before administering.
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| Rectal | Describes medication administered through the rectum, usually a suppository.
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| Replacement fluids | Fluids that replace electrolytes or fluids lost from dehydration, hemorrhage, vomiting, or diarrhea.
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| Roman numerals | A numeral system where letters indicate numbers; I = 1, V = 5 and X = 10.
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| Route | Method by which a medication is to be delivered to the patient.
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| Saline lock | An infusion port attached to an already inserted catheter for IV access, flushed with saline.
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| Scored | Describes medications having indented lines indicating where they may be broken or divided.
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| Secondary line | Also known as piggyback; line used to add medication or other additives to an existing IV or infusion port.
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| Sig | Indicates the instructions for the container; found on a prescription.
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| Solute | Chemicals dissolved in a solvent, making a solution; drug or substance being dissolved in a solution.
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| Solute | Chemicals dissolved in a solvent, making a solution; drug or substance being dissolved in a solution.
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| Solution strength | The amount of dry drug in grams per 100mL of solution.
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| Solution | Combined mixture of solute and solvent or diluent.
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| Solvent (diluent) | Liquid used to dissolve other chemicals, making a solution.
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| Solvent (diluent) | Liquid used to dissolve other chemicals, making a solution.
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| Spansule | Special capsule that contains coated granules to delay the release of medication.
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| Subcutaneous (sub-Q) | Describes medication administered under the skin by an injection.
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| Sub-Q | Subcutaneous; under the skin.
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| Sustained release | Describes medication that releases slowly into the bloodstream over several hours.
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| Syringe pumps | Pump that provides precise control of IV infusions via a syringe inside of a pump.
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| Syringe | Used to deliver parenteral medications includes a barrel, plunger, hub, leading ring, and needle.
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| Tablet | A solid disk or cylinder that contains a drug plus inactive ingredients.
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| Therapeutic fluids | IV fluids that deliver medication to patients.
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| Titrated medications | Medication that is adjusted or regulated based upon its effect.
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| Topical medications | Medications applied to the skin.
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| Trade name | Name of a drug owned by a specific company; also called brand name.
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| Trailing ring | The ring on the plunger of the syringe farthest from the needle. Do not measure medication from this ring.
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| Transdermal | Describes medication administered through the skin, typically via a patch.
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| Transdermal | Describes medication administered through the skin, typically via a patch.
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| Transdermal | Describes medication administered through the skin, typically via a patch.
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| Tuberculin Syringe | A small syringe used for delivering 1 mL of medication or less parenterally.
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| U-100 | Common concentration of insulin meaning that 100 units of insulin is contained in 1 mL of solution.
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| Unit | Also known as USP unit, amount of a medication required to produce an effect.
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| United States Pharmacopeia | A medication guide or reference for health care professionals.
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| Vaporizer | Uses boiling water to create a mist from liquid medications; also known as steam inhaler.
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| Verbal Orders | A medication spoken by the physician to a qualified health care employee who records it.
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| Vial | Container covered with a rubber stopper that holds 1 or more doses of medication.
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| Warnings | Found on the medication label and help the health care worker to deliver medications safely.
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