Medication Mumbo-Jumbo: Teach Aides the Vocabulary
A Brief Vocabulary of Medication Terms
Olsten Kimberly Quality Care of East Lansing, MI, gives aides this brief vocabulary guide to help them understand medication terminology:
Medication: any substance or material that when given to a living organism, including human beings, will change the make-up of the organism or the way in which it functions.
Cure: the successful treatment of a disease or wound.
Deficiency: a lack or shortage.
Dose (Dosage): amount of medication ordered to be given to the individual.
Pharmacist: person who is licensed to prepare and sell drugs and to make up prescriptions.
Precautions: measures to take or to be aware of in the administration of certain medications.
Sublingual: under the tongue.
Topical: pertaining to a particular area of the skin and affecting only the area to which it is applied. Example: a topical anti-infective cream.
Side effects: produces a different effect than the effect desired. Example: rash, palpitations, low blood pressure, dizziness, ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, constipation.
Toxic effects: poisonous effects or overdose. When medication builds up in the body and is not being excreted it can cause a toxic action in the body. Example: Digitalis a heart medication is excreted very slowly and may build up in the body over time unless the medication dose is kept low (usually means blood draws are done to monitor the medication levels).
Drug interaction: when one medication interacts with another medication or may change the way a different medication is being used.
Lasix: diuretic (causes water loss and potassium) usually prescribed for clients with heart disease. If an individual is taking Digitalis, the potassium levels must be monitored.
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content