1. 3
Terminology, Abbreviations, and Dispensing Prescriptions

2. Medical 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.

3. Medical 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.

4. Table 3-1 Some Common General Prefixes

5. Table 3-2 Some Common General Suffixes

6. Combining 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.

7. Table 3-3 Abbreviations Commonly Used in Prescriptions

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

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

10. Table 3-4 Abbreviations Commonly Used for Measurements

11. Table 3-5 General Medical Abbreviations

12. Table 3-5 (continued) General Medical Abbreviations

13. Table 3-5 (continued) General Medical Abbreviations

14. Table 3-5 (continued) General Medical Abbreviations

15. Drug 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

16. Sources 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)

17. Drug 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

18. Preparations 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.

19. Solid 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

20. Figure 3-1 Solid drug forms.
Al Dodge
Figure Solid drug forms.

21. Solid Drugs
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

22. Solid Drugs
Caplets: shaped like capsules with form of tablets; film-coated for easy swallowing
Gelcaps: oil-based drug in soft gelatin capsules

23. Figure 3-2 Examples of tablets.
Al Dodge
Figure Examples of tablets.

24. Figure 3-3 Examples of capsules.
Al Dodge
Figure Examples of capsules.

25. Figure 3-4 Examples of gelcaps.
Al Dodge
Figure Examples of gelcaps.

26. Solid Drugs 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)

27. Liquid Drugs
Syrups and linctuses: aqueous solutions containing high concentrations of sugars
Solutions: drugs dissolved in appropriate solvent
Elixirs: solutions of water, alcohol, and sugar

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

29. Liquid Drugs
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

30. Liquid Drugs
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

31. Storing Drugs That Contain 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.

32. Liquid Drugs
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

33. Topical 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)

34. Topical 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

35. Injectable 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)

36. Other 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

37. Figure 3-5A Examples of otic drops. © Elena Dorfman.
Dorling Kindersley, Ltd
Figure 3-5A Examples of otic drops. © Elena Dorfman.

38. Figure 3-5B Examples of ophthalmic drops.
Captured by Sarah Hill / Flickr / Getty Images
Figure 3-5B Examples of ophthalmic drops.

39. Figure 3-5C Examples of nasal drops.

40. Safe 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.

41. Dispensing 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.)

42. Contents 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)

43. Contents of Prescriptions
Refill and special labeling
Prescriber’s signature, license or DEA number

44. Figure 3-6 Example of a physician’s prescription
Figure 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).

45. Telephone Orders and 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

46. Hospital 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)

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