HOSA PHARMACOLOGY LATEST EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
Absorption - ANSWER: Process by which a drug enters the circulatory system
(blood).
Intravenous (IV) & Intra-Arterial - ANSWER: Administration/Dosage routs that do
not require absorption.
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, & Elimination... The Pharmacokinetic Process -
ANSWER: ADME
Addiction - ANSWER: Dependence characterized by a perceived need to take a drug
to attain the psychological & physical effects of mood altering substances.
Affinity - ANSWER: Natural attraction - the strength by which a particular chemical
messenger binds to its receptor site on a cell
Agonist - ANSWER: Drug that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter when it binds
to a particular receptor site - i.e. & triggers the cell's response in a manner similar
to the action of the body's own chemical messenger.
Allergen - ANSWER: Substance of a usually harmless nature that produces an
abnormal hypersensitive reaction.
Allergic Response - ANSWER: A hypersensitive reaction to any usually harmless
substance that does not normally cause a reaction.
Anaphylactic Reaction - ANSWER: Severe allergic response resulting in immediate
life-threatening respiratory distress, usually followed by vascular collapse & shock
accompanied w/ hives.
Angioedema - ANSWER: Abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissue.
Antagonist - ANSWER: Drug that neutralizes or counteracts the effects of a
neurotransmitter or another drug when it binds to a particular receptor site.
Antigen - ANSWER: Foreign substance that is recognized by the immune system &
induces the immune system to produce antibodies to defend against the foreign
substance.
Bioavailability - ANSWER: Degree to which a drug or other substance becomes
available to the target tissue after administration.
Blood-Brain Barrier - ANSWER: Fortified area that prevents many substances from
entering the cerebro-spinal fluid from the blood. This area is formed by glial cells
that envelope capillaries in the fcentral nervous system. This creates a shield that
,blocks many water-soluble compounds, but is permeable to lipid-soluble
substances.
Ceiling Effect - ANSWER: Point @ which no clinical response occurs w/ increased
dosage of a drug.
Clearance - ANSWER: Rate @ which a drug is eliminated from a specific volume of
blood per unit of time.
Contraindication - ANSWER: Any disease, condition, or symptom for which a drug
will not be beneficial & may be harmful.
Dependence - ANSWER: State in which a person's body has adapted physiologically
& psychologically to a drug & cannot function w/o it.
Distribution - ANSWER: Process by which a drug moves from the blood into other
body fluids & tissues & ultimately to its site(s) of action.
Dose - ANSWER: Quantity of a drug administered at one time.
Drug Abuse - ANSWER: Use of a drug for purposes other than those prescribed
&/or in amounts that were not directed. This is often linked to addiction.
Drug Interaction - ANSWER: When a drug is affected in some way by another drug,
foods, or other substances, such as when enzymes that metabolize the drug are
induced or inhibited.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Addition - ANSWER: The combined effect of 2 drugs is
equal to the sum of the effects of each drug taken alone.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Antagonism - ANSWER: The action of 1 drug negates
the action of a 2nd drug.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Potentiation - ANSWER: 1 drug increases or prolongs
the action of another drug, & the total effect is greater than the sum of the effects
of each drug used alone - drug potency is increased.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Synergism - ANSWER: The combined effect of 2 drugs
is more intense or longer in duration than the sum of their individual effects. Drugs
that work in combination like this are usually prescribed together.
Enzymes, Nucleic Acids, Receptors, & Transport Proteins - ANSWER: Types of
specific body molecules that drugs can combine w/.
Duration Of Action - ANSWER: Length of time a drug gives the desired
response/remains at the therapeutic level.
,Elimination - ANSWER: Removal of a drug or the drugs metabolites from the body by
excretion.
First-Order - ANSWER: Drugs for which the rate of elimination is concentration
dependent (as opposed to ____ _ _____).
First-Pass Effect - ANSWER: Extent to which a drug is metabolized by the liver before
reaching full body circulation. This can substantially decrease bioavailability of
certain drugs when administered orally, in which case administration by injection is
required.
Half-Life - ANSWER: Time necessary for the body to eliminate half of the drug in the
body @ any 1 time (written as T 1/2).
Homeostasis - ANSWER: Maintenance of stability in the internal environment of the
body.
Induction - ANSWER: Process by which a drug increases the concentration of certain
enzymes that affect the pharmacologic response to other drugs.
Inhibition - ANSWER: Process by which a drug blocks enzyme activity & impairs the
metabolism of another drug.
Interaction - ANSWER: Change in the action of a drug caused by another drug, food,
or another substance, such as alcohol or nicotine.
Lipid - ANSWER: Fatty molecule - An important constituent of cell membranes; they
generally repel water.
Local Effect - ANSWER: Action of a drug that is confined to a specific part of the body.
Loading Dose - ANSWER: Amt of a drug that will bring the blood concentration
rapidly to a therapeutic level.
Maintenance Dose - ANSWER: Amt of a drug administered at regular intervals to
keep the blood concentration @ a therapeutic level. An important factor in
determining this, is a drug's clearance rate.
Metabolic Pathway - ANSWER: Sequence of chemical steps that convert a drug tinto
a metabolite.
Metabolism - ANSWER: Process by which drugs are chemically converted to other
compounds.
Metabolite - ANSWER: Substance into which a drug is chemically converted in the
body.
, Peak - ANSWER: Top or upper limit of a drug's concentration in the blood.
Pharmacokinetic Modeling - ANSWER: Method of describing the process of
absorption, distribution, metabolism, & elimination (ADME) of drug w/i the body
mathematically.
Pharmacokinetics - ANSWER: Activity of a drug w/i the body over a period of time;
includes absorption, distribution, metabolism, & elimination (ADME).
Prophylaxis - ANSWER: Effect of a drug in preventing infection or disease.
Pruritus - ANSWER: Itching Sensation.
Receptor - ANSWER: Protein molecule on the surface of or w/i a cell that recognizes
& binds w/ specific molecules, thereby producing some effect w/i the cell.
Side Effect - ANSWER: Secondary response to a drug other than the primary
therapeutic effect for which the drug was inteneded.
Solubility - ANSWER: Ability of a drug to dissolve in body fluids.
Specificity - ANSWER: Property of a cell receptor that enables it to bind only w/ a
specific chemical messenger complementary to the structure of the receptor.
Systemic Effect - ANSWER: Action of a drug that has generalized - the all-inclusive
effect of the drug on the body.
Therapeutic Effect - ANSWER: Desired action of a drug in the treatment of a
particular disease , state, or symptom.
Therapeutic Level - ANSWER: Amount of a drug in the blood @ which beneficial
effects occur. The amt. of time required to achieve this can be shortened by
administering a loading dose.
Therapeutic Range - ANSWER: Optimum Dosage, providing the best chance for
achieving the most effective & desired action... Dosing below this range has little
effect, while dosing above this level (overdosing) can lead to toxicity & death.
Tolerance - ANSWER: Decrease in response to the effects of a drug as it continues to
be administered.
Trough - ANSWER: Lowest level of a drug in the blood.
Urticaria - ANSWER: Hives, itching sensation.
Volume Of Distribution - ANSWER: mathematical relationship betw. the blood
concentration attained & the amt. of drug administered.
Absorption - ANSWER: Process by which a drug enters the circulatory system
(blood).
Intravenous (IV) & Intra-Arterial - ANSWER: Administration/Dosage routs that do
not require absorption.
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, & Elimination... The Pharmacokinetic Process -
ANSWER: ADME
Addiction - ANSWER: Dependence characterized by a perceived need to take a drug
to attain the psychological & physical effects of mood altering substances.
Affinity - ANSWER: Natural attraction - the strength by which a particular chemical
messenger binds to its receptor site on a cell
Agonist - ANSWER: Drug that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter when it binds
to a particular receptor site - i.e. & triggers the cell's response in a manner similar
to the action of the body's own chemical messenger.
Allergen - ANSWER: Substance of a usually harmless nature that produces an
abnormal hypersensitive reaction.
Allergic Response - ANSWER: A hypersensitive reaction to any usually harmless
substance that does not normally cause a reaction.
Anaphylactic Reaction - ANSWER: Severe allergic response resulting in immediate
life-threatening respiratory distress, usually followed by vascular collapse & shock
accompanied w/ hives.
Angioedema - ANSWER: Abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissue.
Antagonist - ANSWER: Drug that neutralizes or counteracts the effects of a
neurotransmitter or another drug when it binds to a particular receptor site.
Antigen - ANSWER: Foreign substance that is recognized by the immune system &
induces the immune system to produce antibodies to defend against the foreign
substance.
Bioavailability - ANSWER: Degree to which a drug or other substance becomes
available to the target tissue after administration.
Blood-Brain Barrier - ANSWER: Fortified area that prevents many substances from
entering the cerebro-spinal fluid from the blood. This area is formed by glial cells
that envelope capillaries in the fcentral nervous system. This creates a shield that
,blocks many water-soluble compounds, but is permeable to lipid-soluble
substances.
Ceiling Effect - ANSWER: Point @ which no clinical response occurs w/ increased
dosage of a drug.
Clearance - ANSWER: Rate @ which a drug is eliminated from a specific volume of
blood per unit of time.
Contraindication - ANSWER: Any disease, condition, or symptom for which a drug
will not be beneficial & may be harmful.
Dependence - ANSWER: State in which a person's body has adapted physiologically
& psychologically to a drug & cannot function w/o it.
Distribution - ANSWER: Process by which a drug moves from the blood into other
body fluids & tissues & ultimately to its site(s) of action.
Dose - ANSWER: Quantity of a drug administered at one time.
Drug Abuse - ANSWER: Use of a drug for purposes other than those prescribed
&/or in amounts that were not directed. This is often linked to addiction.
Drug Interaction - ANSWER: When a drug is affected in some way by another drug,
foods, or other substances, such as when enzymes that metabolize the drug are
induced or inhibited.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Addition - ANSWER: The combined effect of 2 drugs is
equal to the sum of the effects of each drug taken alone.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Antagonism - ANSWER: The action of 1 drug negates
the action of a 2nd drug.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Potentiation - ANSWER: 1 drug increases or prolongs
the action of another drug, & the total effect is greater than the sum of the effects
of each drug used alone - drug potency is increased.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Synergism - ANSWER: The combined effect of 2 drugs
is more intense or longer in duration than the sum of their individual effects. Drugs
that work in combination like this are usually prescribed together.
Enzymes, Nucleic Acids, Receptors, & Transport Proteins - ANSWER: Types of
specific body molecules that drugs can combine w/.
Duration Of Action - ANSWER: Length of time a drug gives the desired
response/remains at the therapeutic level.
,Elimination - ANSWER: Removal of a drug or the drugs metabolites from the body by
excretion.
First-Order - ANSWER: Drugs for which the rate of elimination is concentration
dependent (as opposed to ____ _ _____).
First-Pass Effect - ANSWER: Extent to which a drug is metabolized by the liver before
reaching full body circulation. This can substantially decrease bioavailability of
certain drugs when administered orally, in which case administration by injection is
required.
Half-Life - ANSWER: Time necessary for the body to eliminate half of the drug in the
body @ any 1 time (written as T 1/2).
Homeostasis - ANSWER: Maintenance of stability in the internal environment of the
body.
Induction - ANSWER: Process by which a drug increases the concentration of certain
enzymes that affect the pharmacologic response to other drugs.
Inhibition - ANSWER: Process by which a drug blocks enzyme activity & impairs the
metabolism of another drug.
Interaction - ANSWER: Change in the action of a drug caused by another drug, food,
or another substance, such as alcohol or nicotine.
Lipid - ANSWER: Fatty molecule - An important constituent of cell membranes; they
generally repel water.
Local Effect - ANSWER: Action of a drug that is confined to a specific part of the body.
Loading Dose - ANSWER: Amt of a drug that will bring the blood concentration
rapidly to a therapeutic level.
Maintenance Dose - ANSWER: Amt of a drug administered at regular intervals to
keep the blood concentration @ a therapeutic level. An important factor in
determining this, is a drug's clearance rate.
Metabolic Pathway - ANSWER: Sequence of chemical steps that convert a drug tinto
a metabolite.
Metabolism - ANSWER: Process by which drugs are chemically converted to other
compounds.
Metabolite - ANSWER: Substance into which a drug is chemically converted in the
body.
, Peak - ANSWER: Top or upper limit of a drug's concentration in the blood.
Pharmacokinetic Modeling - ANSWER: Method of describing the process of
absorption, distribution, metabolism, & elimination (ADME) of drug w/i the body
mathematically.
Pharmacokinetics - ANSWER: Activity of a drug w/i the body over a period of time;
includes absorption, distribution, metabolism, & elimination (ADME).
Prophylaxis - ANSWER: Effect of a drug in preventing infection or disease.
Pruritus - ANSWER: Itching Sensation.
Receptor - ANSWER: Protein molecule on the surface of or w/i a cell that recognizes
& binds w/ specific molecules, thereby producing some effect w/i the cell.
Side Effect - ANSWER: Secondary response to a drug other than the primary
therapeutic effect for which the drug was inteneded.
Solubility - ANSWER: Ability of a drug to dissolve in body fluids.
Specificity - ANSWER: Property of a cell receptor that enables it to bind only w/ a
specific chemical messenger complementary to the structure of the receptor.
Systemic Effect - ANSWER: Action of a drug that has generalized - the all-inclusive
effect of the drug on the body.
Therapeutic Effect - ANSWER: Desired action of a drug in the treatment of a
particular disease , state, or symptom.
Therapeutic Level - ANSWER: Amount of a drug in the blood @ which beneficial
effects occur. The amt. of time required to achieve this can be shortened by
administering a loading dose.
Therapeutic Range - ANSWER: Optimum Dosage, providing the best chance for
achieving the most effective & desired action... Dosing below this range has little
effect, while dosing above this level (overdosing) can lead to toxicity & death.
Tolerance - ANSWER: Decrease in response to the effects of a drug as it continues to
be administered.
Trough - ANSWER: Lowest level of a drug in the blood.
Urticaria - ANSWER: Hives, itching sensation.
Volume Of Distribution - ANSWER: mathematical relationship betw. the blood
concentration attained & the amt. of drug administered.
