Medication Administration and Management
Expert-defined terms from the 10. Professional Certificate in Level 3 Medical Assistance in Health and Social Care course at HealthCareCourses (An LSIB brand). Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Abridged Prescription #
an incomplete or partial prescription that lacks one or more essential elements, such as the patient's name, medication name, dosage, or route of administration, and requires further clarification or completion by the prescriber.
Acute Care #
a type of medical care that focuses on treating severe or life-threatening illnesses, injuries, or conditions that require immediate attention and intervention, often in a hospital or emergency setting.
Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) #
an unwanted or harmful effect of a medication that occurs at a normal or therapeutic dose, which can range from mild to severe and may be dose-dependent or idiosyncratic.
Allergic Reaction #
an overactive or abnormal immune response to a medication, which can manifest as a range of symptoms, from mild skin rash to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
As Needed (PRN) Medication #
a type of medication that is administered only when the patient experiences symptoms or requires relief, rather than on a fixed schedule or at regular intervals.
Automated Dispensing System (ADS) #
an electronic system that stores, dispenses, and tracks medications in a controlled and secure environment, often used in hospitals and healthcare facilities to improve medication safety and efficiency.
Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA) #
a system that uses barcode scanning technology to verify the identity of medications, patients, and caregivers at the point of administration, to prevent medication errors and improve patient safety.
Biotransformation #
the process by which the body converts a medication into its active or inactive metabolites, which can affect the medication's efficacy, toxicity, and duration of action.
Brand Name #
the proprietary or trade name given to a medication by its manufacturer, which can be different from the generic or chemical name of the medication.
Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressant #
a type of medication that slows down or depresses the activity of the central nervous system, which can produce a range of effects, from sedation to anesthesia.
Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) #
an electronic system that provides healthcare professionals with clinical decision-making support, such as alerts, warnings, and recommendations, to improve patient care and reduce medication errors.
Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) #
an electronic system that allows healthcare professionals to enter and manage medication orders electronically, which can reduce errors and improve the efficiency of the medication use process.
Controlled Substance #
a type of medication that has the potential for abuse or dependence, and is therefore subject to strict regulations and controls, such as narcotics, stimulants, and sedatives.
Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) #
a family of enzymes that play a crucial role in the metabolism of medications, which can affect the efficacy and toxicity of medications, and interact with other medications and substances.
Dose #
the amount of a medication that is administered to a patient, which can be expressed in terms of the medication's strength, volume, or frequency of administration.
Drug #
Drug Interaction (DDI): an interaction between two or more medications that can affect their efficacy, toxicity, or pharmacokinetics, which can be synergistic, antagonistic, or idiosyncratic.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) #
a digital version of a patient's medical history, which can include information on medications, diagnoses, laboratory results, and other relevant health data.
Electronic Medication Management (EMM) #
an electronic system that manages and tracks medications across the continuum of care, from prescribing to administration, to improve medication safety and efficiency.
Extemporaneous Compounding #
the process of preparing a customized medication or formulation for a patient, which can involve mixing, measuring, or manipulating ingredients to create a unique medication.
First #
Dose Effect: an adverse reaction or response that occurs after the initial dose of a medication, which can range from mild to severe and may be dose-dependent or idiosyncratic.
Generic Medication #
a type of medication that is equivalent to a brand-name medication in terms of its active ingredients, dosage form, and therapeutic effects, but is often less expensive and may have a different name.
Half #
Life: the time it takes for the concentration of a medication to decrease by half in the body, which can affect the medication's duration of action, efficacy, and toxicity.
High #
Alert Medication: a type of medication that has a high risk of causing harm or adverse effects, such as anticoagulants, opioids, and sedatives, which requires special handling and monitoring.
Informed Consent #
the process of educating and informing patients about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a medication or treatment, which is essential for patient autonomy and decision-making.
Inpatient Medication Management #
the process of managing and administering medications to patients in a hospital or healthcare facility, which requires careful planning, monitoring, and coordination.
Labeling #
the process of affixing or attaching labels or instructions to a medication or its packaging, which provides essential information on the medication's identity, dosage, and use.
Medication Adherence #
the extent to which a patient takes a medication as prescribed, which can be influenced by factors such as patient education, motivation, and access to care.
Medication Error #
an adverse event or harm caused by a medication, which can result from errors in prescribing, dispensing, administering, or monitoring medications.
Medication Reconciliation #
the process of verifying and reconciling a patient's medication list at transitions of care, such as hospital admission or discharge, to prevent medication errors and ensure continuity of care.
Medication Therapy Management (MTM) #
a service that provides patients with personalized education and counseling on their medications, to improve medication adherence, efficacy, and safety.
Medication Use Evaluation (MUE) #
a systematic review of medication use to assess its appropriateness, efficacy, and safety, which can identify areas for improvement in medication management and patient care.
Off #
Label Use: the use of a medication for a purpose or indication that is not approved by the FDA or other regulatory agencies, which can be based on clinical experience, research, or expert opinion.
Outpatient Medication Management #
the process of managing and administering medications to patients in an ambulatory or community setting, which requires careful planning, monitoring, and coordination.
Over #
the-Counter (OTC) Medication: a type of medication that is available for purchase without a prescription, which can include analgesics, antihistamines, and other non-prescription medications.
Parenteral Medication #
a type of medication that is administered parenterally, or outside the digestive tract, such as by injection, infusion, or implantation.
Patient Education #
the process of educating and informing patients about their medications, including their purpose, dosage, side effects, and potential interactions.
Pharmacokinetics #
the study of how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and eliminates medications, which can affect their efficacy, toxicity, and duration of action.
Pharmacology #
the study of the interactions between medications and the body, including their therapeutic effects, side effects, and potential interactions.
Polypharmacy #
the use of multiple medications by a patient, which can increase the risk of adverse effects, interactions, and medication errors.
Prescription #
a written or electronic order for a medication, which includes the patient's name, medication name, dosage, and other essential information.
Prescription Label #
a label or instruction that is affixed to a medication or its packaging, which provides essential information on the medication's identity, dosage, and use.
Prescriber #
a healthcare professional who is authorized to prescribe medications, such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist.
Randomization #
the process of assigning patients to treatment groups or arms in a clinical trial, to minimize bias and ensure the validity of the results.
Route of Administration #
the method or pathway by which a medication is administered, such as orally, topically, or parenterally.
Scheduled Medication #
a type of medication that is subject to strict regulations and controls, such as narcotics, stimulants, and sedatives, due to its potential for abuse or dependence.
Self #
Administration: the process of a patient administering their own medications, which requires careful planning, monitoring, and education to ensure safe and effective use.
Side Effect #
an unwanted or unintended effect of a medication, which can range from mild to severe and may be dose-dependent or idiosyncratic.
Single #
Dose Container: a container that holds a single dose of a medication, which can help to prevent medication errors and improve patient safety.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) #
a written or electronic document that outlines the steps or procedures for a specific task or process, such as medication administration or handling.
Steady State #
a condition in which the concentration of a medication in the body remains constant over time, which can affect the medication's efficacy, toxicity, and duration of action.
Terminal Elimination Half #
Life: the time it takes for the concentration of a medication to decrease by half in the body, which can affect the medication's duration of action, efficacy, and toxicity.
Therapeutic Equivalent #
a medication that is equivalent to another medication in terms of its therapeutic effects, which can be based on clinical trials, research, or expert opinion.
Topical Medication #
a type of medication that is applied topically, or directly to the skin or mucous membranes, such as creams, ointments, or patches.
Unit #
Dose Container: a container that holds a single dose of a medication, which can help to prevent medication errors and improve patient safety.
Vital Sign #
a measurement or indicator of a patient's physiological state, such as temperature, blood pressure, or heart rate, which can be used to monitor the effects of a medication.
Waste Disposal #
the process of disposing of unused or expired medications, which requires careful handling and disposal to prevent environmental harm or misuse.