MEDICATION ASSISTANCE IN ASSISTED LIVING Section 5: Appendices Medication Terminology Definitions Abbreviations 60
Appendix A: Medication Terminology There are many terms associated with medications and medication passes. The following definitions will assist you in clarifying some of the confusing terminology. Absorb Adverse Reaction Analgesic Anemia Angina Antacid Antibiotic Anticoagulant Anticonvulsant Antifungal Antihistamine Anti-inflammatory Antipsychotic Aphasia Axilla To soak up or take in. A range of untoward affected (unintended and occurring at normal doses) of drugs that cause mild to severe side effects, including anaphylaxis (cardiovascular collapse). Adverse reactions are always undesirable. Relieves pain without loss of consciousness. Lack of adequate oxygen-carrying ability of the blood. Chest pain caused by poor blood supply to the heart muscle. Neutralizes stomach acid. Kills or slows down the growth of bacteria. Prevents the blood from clotting. Controls seizures. Interferes with the growth of a fungus. Dries mucus secretions in the respiratory tract; also decreases allergic reactions. Decreases inflammation or swelling. Depresses brain function or corrects chemical imbalance in the brain. Loss of the ability to speak. The underarm area, AKA the armpit. 61
Buccal tablet Capsule Cardiac Clean Colon Constipation Controlled Substance Decongestant Discontinued Dose Duration of Action Electrolytes Elimination Elixir Enteric Coated Epidermis Esophagus Eye Ointment Tablet made to be placed between the cheek and gum. Drug that is placed in a gelatin-like container. Having to do with the heart. Free of disease-causing bacteria. The large intestine. Hard bowel movement that is difficult to pass. Drugs that are potentially addictive. Encourages sinuses to drain. Medications no longer taken by the resident. The amount of drug to be taken. The length of time the drug has a pharmacological effect. Basic chemical elements required by the body such as calcium, potassium, and sodium. Excretion of waste products by the skin, kidneys, and intestines. The main route of drug elimination is through the kidneys; other routes include feces, lungs, saliva, sweat, and breast milk. Medication dissolved in alcohol and flavored with sugar. Tablet with a special coating that does not break down until it reaches the small intestine. Enteric coated tablets cannot be crushed. The outer layer of the skin. The tube-like structure that carries food and fluids from the mouth to the stomach. Sterile semi-solid preparation for ophthalmic use only. 62
Fracture Hyperglycemic Hypertension Hypoglycemic Inhale Inhaler Instillation Interactions Laxative Lotion Lozenge Medication Meniscus Metabolize Metric System Narcotic Nebulizer NSAIDS Ointment Ophthalmic Broken bone. High blood sugar level. High blood pressure. Low blood sugar level. To breathe in. A device used to get medications into the lungs. Putting a liquid slowly, drop by drop, onto a body surface or into a body cavity. A situation where drugs interfere or alter each others actions. Promotes bowel movement. Semi-liquid preparation of a drug for external use. Disc of medication intended to be dissolved inside the mouth. Chemical (drug) used to treat or prevent illness or affect body function. The concave shape of the top of a column of liquid. To break up into useable substances. A system of measurement based on the decimal system. A drug that alters perception of pain and that, with repeated use, may result in physical and psychological dependence. A device used to add liquid droplets in the air; usually used to get inhaled medications into the lungs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Reduces inflammation without the use of steroids. Semi-solid preparation of a drug for external application. Pertaining to the eye. 63
Oral Over-the-counter Pharmacist Polypharmacy Rectal Route Side Effects Solution Spray Sublingual Suppository Suspension Syrup Tablet Time-released Toxicity Transdermal Having to do with the mouth. OTC. A drug that can be purchased without a prescription. A licensed medical professional responsible for compounding, labeling, and dispensing prescription drugs. Many drugs. A medicine given in the rectum. The way a drug is put into or onto the body. Physiologic effects not related to the desired drug s effects. All drugs have side effects, desirable or undesirable. Even with a correct drug dosage, side effects occur and can be predicted. Liquid medication in which a drug is evenly dissolved and appears clear. Medications given in a fine mist. Medication made to be placed under the tongue. Medication suspended in a substance that melts at body temperature. Used in the rectum or vagina. Liquid medication that requires shaking because settling of drug particles occurs. Liquid medication dissolved in sugar water. A disc of compressed dry drug that varies in shape. May be scored for division or splitting. Also called sustained release. Coated capsule containing drug particles that dissolve at different intervals. The extent, quality, or degree of being poisonous. Medication applied to the skin and absorbed over a long period of time. Vaginal Cream Medicated cream to be applied to the vagina with use of a special applicator 64
Appendix B: Definitions The following definitions are specific to medication services. Controlled Substance: A drug or chemical substance whose use is controlled by law. An example would be a narcotic. Enabler: A physical device used to facilitate a resident s selfadministration of a medication. This can include, but is not limited to, a medicine cup, spoon, cup, prefilled syringe, and syringe used to measure liquids. Error: A failure to provide a medication using all of the six rights: right resident, right medication, right medication dose, right route, right time, and right documentation. Legend Drug: A medication that requires both a practitioner s prescription and a pharmacist to dispense it. Medication Administration: The direct application of a prescribed medication whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or other means, to the body of the resident by an individual legally authorized to do so. Medication Administration Record ( MAR ): A written form where staff documents medications that have been given to, or refused by a resident via assistance or administration. Medication Assistance: Assistance with self-administration of medication rendered by a nonpractitioner to a resident of a boarding home in accordance with the medication assistance regulation (WAC 246-888). 65
Medication Organizer: A container with separate compartments for storing oral medications organized in daily doses. Nurse Delegation: The act of transferring a nursing task from a registered nurse to a nursing assistant certified (NAC) or nursing assistant registered (NAR). This process involves specific training criteria and supervision, and cannot involve injections, sterile procedures, care of central intravenous lines, or tasks that require nursing judgment. Over-the-counter Medication: Any medication that may be legally purchased without a prescription, including but not limited to aspirin, antacids, vitamins, minerals, or herbal preparations. Prescribed medication: Any medication (legend drug, controlled substance, or over-the-counter medication) that is prescribed by an authorized practitioner. Prescriber: Physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, physician s assistant, doctor of naturopathic medicine, dentist, or any other health care practitioner authorized to prescribe medications in Washington State. Self-administration: The act of being able to take one s own medication without assistance or administration by another person. In licensed boarding homes, self-administration may include situations in which a resident cannot physically self-administer medications, but can accurately direct others to do so. Side Effect: A secondary and usually undesirable affect of a medication. 66
Appendix C: Abbreviations Many prescribers and pharmacies use abbreviations when referring to medication orders. Although it is best practice not to use abbreviations at all, it is a good idea for you to review them in case you see them during your job. a before ac before meals ASA aspirin @ at BID twice a day BM bowel movement BP blood pressure C centigrade/celsius c with cc cubic centimeter (same as ml) cm centimeter DC discontinue elix elixir F Fahrenheit gm gram gtt drop gtts drops HS bedtime/hour of sleep i one ii two iii three IM intramuscular IU international units IV intravenous kg kilogram L liter mcg microgram meq milliequivalent mg milligram ml milliliter (same as cc) mm millimeter noc night NPO nothing by mouth NTE not to exceed OD right eye OS left eye OU both eyes p after pc after meals po by mouth prn as needed q every qd every day qid four times a day qod every other day q2h every two hours q4h every four hours qhs every bedtime s without SQ subcutaneous TID three times a day TPR temperature/pulse/respirations VS vital signs (same as TPR) 67