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







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