Focus on PHARMACOLOGY ESSENTIALS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS CHAPTER Terminology, Abbreviations, and Dispensing Prescriptions 3

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PHARMACOLOGYPHARMACOLOGYESSENTIALS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

CHAPTER

Terminology, Abbreviations, and Dispensing Prescriptions

3

Focus on Pharmacology: Essentials for Health Professionals, Second EditionJahangir Moini

Medical TerminologyMedical Terminology

• Medical terminology originated primarily from Greek and Latin prefixes, roots, and suffixes, known as word parts.

• Health-care professionals involved with pharmacology must be familiar with word building, common medical terms, and abbreviations.


Medical TerminologyMedical Terminology

• A root is the main part of a word that gives the word its central meaning.

• A prefix is a structure at the beginning of a word that modifies the meaning of the root.

• A suffix is similar in function to a prefix, but appears at the end of a word.


Understanding TerminologyUnderstanding Terminology

Prefix + Root + Suffix



Prefix + Root + SuffixHypo + glyc + emia



Prefix + Root + SuffixHypo + glyc + emia

Too little + sugar + blood condition



HypoglycemiaCondition of low blood sugar levels


Table 5.1Selected Roots


Table 5.2Common Prefixes


Table 3-1 Some Common General Prefixes


Table 5.3Common Suffixes


Table 3-2 Some Common General Suffixes


Combining VowelsCombining Vowels

• Medical terms are formed from many different word parts.

• These parts are often joined by combining vowels.

• The most common combining vowels are the letters o and i.


Table 5.4General Pharmacy Abbreviations


Table 5.4 (continued)General Pharmacy Abbreviations


Table 5.5Pharmacy Abbreviations—Directions/SIG Codes


Table 5.5 (continued)Pharmacy Abbreviations—Directions/SIG Codes


Table 5.6Pharmacy Abbreviations—Routes of Administration


Table 5.7Pharmacy Abbreviations


Table 5.8General Medical Abbreviations


Table 5.8 (continued)General Medical Abbreviations


Table 3-3 Abbreviations Commonly Used in Prescriptions


Table 3-3 (continued) Abbreviations Commonly Used in Prescriptions


Table 3-3 (continued) Abbreviations Commonly Used in Prescriptions


Table 3-4 Abbreviations Commonly Used for Measurements


Table 3-5 General Medical Abbreviations


Table 3-5 (continued) General Medical Abbreviations






Table 5.9JCAHO’s “Minimum” Do Not Use List


Table 5.10JCAHO’s “Recommended” Do Not Use List


Drug NamesDrug Names

• Chemical name: chemical makeup of a drug; often very complicated

• Generic name: also official, approved, or nonproprietary name; not protected by copyright

• Proprietary name: also brand or trade name; assigned by manufacturers and protected by copyright


Table 5.12 (continued)Common Brand-Name and Generic Prescription Drugs


Sources of Drug DerivationSources of Drug Derivation

• Plants (e.g., alkaloids)• Humans/animals (e.g., hormones)• Minerals (e.g., sodium, iodine, etc.)• Synthetics: manufactured (e.g., oral

contraceptives)• Engineered: genetically engineered;

(e.g., some insulins)


Drug FormsDrug Forms

• Classified by physical state (liquid, solid) and chemical composition

• Determine whether action is local or systemic

• Allow for oral, topical, mucosal, or parenteral (injectable) use


Preparations for Oral UsePreparations for Oral Use

• Oral drugs: solid or liquid forms• Form influences rate of dissolution and

absorption• Liquids are more readily available for GI

absorption than solids.


Solid DrugsSolid Drugs

• Pills: powdered drug mixed with liquid and rolled into round or oval shape

• Tablets: powdered form of drug and bulk-filling material compressed under high pressure; various types include:– Chewable, sublingual, buccal, enteric-

coated, buffered, and sustained-release


Figure 3-1 Solid drug forms.

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• Capsules: external shell usually made of gelatin contains drug in powder, granule, liquid, or combination form

• Enteric-coating: prevents capsule or tablet from being dissolved in stomach where it may cause irritation; absorption occurs in intestines



• Caplets: shaped like capsules with form of tablets; film-coated for easy swallowing

• Gelcaps: oil-based drug in soft gelatin capsules


Figure 3-2 Examples of tablets.

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Figure 3-3 Examples of capsules.

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Figure 3-4 Examples of gelcaps.

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• Powders: dried and finely ground drugs• Granules: tiny pills usually in gelatin

capsules; usually intended for gradual release

• Troches or lozenges: flattened disks that may be hard or semisolid (e.g., cough suppressants)


Liquid DrugsLiquid Drugs

• Syrups and linctuses: aqueous solutions containing high concentrations of sugars

• Solutions: drugs dissolved in appropriate solvent

• Elixirs: solutions of water, alcohol, and sugar



• Infants and young children are not able to take solid drug forms such as tablets or capsules. Liquid drugs should be used.



• Fluid extracts: concentrated drug solutions from plant source mixed with suitable solvent, usually alcohol

• Mixtures or suspensions: drug agent mixed with liquid but not dissolved; must be shaken before administration



• Tinctures: alcoholic preparations of soluble drugs, usually from plant source

• Emulsions: preparations combining two elements (such as oil and water) that cannot ordinarily be mixed

• Spirits or essences: alcoholic liquids that may be used pharmaceutically as solvents


Storing Drugs That Storing Drugs That Contain AlcoholContain Alcohol

• Elixirs, spirits, tinctures, and fluidextracts contain alcohol.

• Keep them tightly sealed so that the alcohol cannot evaporate.

• Store them in a dark place as specified on label.



• Aerosols: frequently delivered by oral inhalers or nebulizers for rapid absorption into blood circulation

• Magmas: particles suspended in liquid; more pasty in consistency than other suspensions


Topical Drugs: SemisolidsTopical Drugs: Semisolids

• Creams: semisolids in both aqueous and oily base (e.g., benzoyl peroxide)

• Ointments: similar to creams; used for local protective, soothing, astringent, or transdermal systemic effects (e.g., zinc oxide)

• Plasters: combination liquids and powders that harden when dry (e.g., salicylic acid)


Topical Drugs: LiquidsTopical Drugs: Liquids

• Liniments: liquid suspensions for external application to skin

• Gels or jellies: jellylike substances used for topical application

• Lotions: suspensions of drugs in water base for external use


Injectable DrugsInjectable Drugs

• Provide rapid response; also called parenteral

• Available as powders or solutions• Administered by following methods:

– Intra-articular– Intradermal– Intramuscular (IM)

– Epidural– Subcutaneous– Intravenous (IV)


Other Forms of MedicationsOther Forms of Medications

• Ophthalmic: eye drops and ointments• Otic: ear medications • Nasal: nose drops or sprays• Vaginal: solutions, creams, tablets,

suppositories• Rectal: suppositories or enemas• Inhalation: anesthetic gases,

compressed gases, bronchodilators


Figure 3-5A Examples of otic drops. © Elena Dorfman.

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Figure 3-5B Examples of ophthalmic drops.

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Figure 3-5C Examples of nasal drops.


Safe Storage of DrugsSafe Storage of Drugs

• Do not expose medicines to sunlight, bright light, moisture, or extremes in temperatures.

• Store insulin and vaccine preparations in a refrigerator according to the manufacturer’s directions.


Dispensing DrugsDispensing Drugs

• Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs: available for self-medication; do not require prescription

• Legend drugs: require prescription from licensed practitioner (physicians, dentists, veterinarians, etc.)


Contents of PrescriptionsContents of Prescriptions

• Name and address of patient and Date• Address of prescriber’s office• Medication prescribed (inscription)• Rx symbol (superscription)• Dispensing directions (subscription)• Directions for patient (signa)


Contents of PrescriptionsContents of Prescriptions

• Refill and special labeling• Prescriber’s signature, license or DEA

number


Figure 3-6 Example of a physician’s prescription. (A) The prescriber’s office name, address, and phone number. (B) The patient’s name, address, and date of prescription.

(C) The super-scription (“Rx” symbol). (D) The inscription (names and quantities of ingredients). (E) The subscription (tells the pharmacist how many units of medication are needed). (F) The signature (Sig), which tells the patient how to take the medication. (G) Signature blank(s), where the prescriber signs. (H) The repetatur (which tells how many

refills are allowed).


Telephone Orders Telephone Orders and Standing Ordersand Standing Orders

• Prescribed by physicians who cannot be present at time of administration

• Telephone orders: must be followed up with written drug order

• Standing orders: ongoing prescriptions in hospitals, nursing homes, or residential care settings; must be signed and dated


Hospital Drug ChartsHospital Drug Charts

• Also known as physician order sheets; must be transcribed onto medication administration record (MAR) and include:– Approved drug names– All instances when drugs are administered

or not administered (including reasons)– Nurse-initiated therapy (with physician

countersignature)


Figure 3-7 Medical administration record as used in many hospitals.

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Focus on PHARMACOLOGY ESSENTIALS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS CHAPTER Terminology, Abbreviations, and Dispensing Prescriptions 3