- anticholinergic spray
- a medication that blocks the activity of acetylcholine and is used to treat symptoms of a runny nose
- auricle
- the outer projection, earlobe-shaped portion of the ear
- bronchodilator
- a medication that relaxes the muscles in the lungs and widens the airway
- cerumen
- earwax
- corticosteroid
- a medicine that reduces inflammation and prevents flare-ups of respiratory conditions
- cream
- a semisolid emulsion containing a suspended or dissolved medication
- decongestant
- a medication that provides short-term relief of nasal congestion
- dornase alfa (Pulmozyme)
- an inhaled medication consisting of a synthetic protein that breaks down excess DNA in the pulmonary secretions of people with cystic fibrosis
- dry powder inhaler (DPI)
- a device that delivers dry powder medications that are inhaled through a the mouth and into the lungs
- ear drops
- liquid solutions injected into the ear canal
- ear irrigation
- the washing out of the ear with a continuous flow of liquid or medication
- enema
- a liquid solution placed in a disposable plastic squeeze bottle and then instilled into the rectum, or the solution is placed in a bag connected to tubing that is inserted in the rectum and instilled by gravity
- eye drops
- liquid solutions intended for use in the eye
- eye irrigation
- the washing out of the eye with a continuous flow of liquid or medication
- eye medication disk
- a small, flexible disk placed horizontally in the conjunctival sac that can release medication in the eye for up to one week
- eye ointment
- a greasy semisolid that uses body warmth to melt into tiny drops that rest between the eyeball and eyelid
- foam
- a liquid medication dispersed in gas that results in a light, frothy substance
- hand atomizer (also, inhaler)
- a pocket-sized device that delivers medications into the lungs without the use of electricity
- inner canthus
- the corner of the eye nearest the nose where the upper and lower eyelids meet
- mast cell inhibitor
- a medication that relieves allergy symptoms by stabilizing mast cells, which inhibits histamine release
- medicated ear wick
- a small cellulose wick placed in the ear canal, with the outer portion of the wick visible at the entrance of the ear canal; medication is then applied to the end of the wick, dispersing the medication throughout the ear
- metered-dose inhaler
- (MDI) a device that creates an aerosolized mist of medication that is inhaled through the mouth and into the lungs
- nasal
- relating to the nose or nostrils
- nasal wash
- (i.e., nasal irrigation) a method that helps clean mucus, allergens, irritants, bacteria, and viruses from the nose
- nebulizer
- a small electric or battery-powered machine that delivers a fine mist of liquid medications
- ophthalmic
- relating to the eye
- opioid antagonist
- a medication used to treat opioid overdose and reverse respiratory depression associated with opioid use
- otic
- relating to or located near the ear
- otoscope
- a tool that shines light into the ear to visualize the ear canal
- outer canthus
- the corner of the eye nearest the ear where the upper and lower eyelids meet
- rectal
- relating to or affecting the rectum
- Sims position
- a posture where the patient is positioned on their left side with the upper leg flexed over the lower leg toward the waist
- soft-mist inhaler
- a handheld device that turns liquid medications into a mist cloud that can then be inhaled without a propellant
- spacer
- a clear tube that fits between the inhaler and the mouthpiece, allowing the medication to move into the spacer for the patient to inhale more slowly and with control
- suppository
- a solid medication that melts inside the body and is absorbed into the bloodstream
- tragus
- the small piece of thick, skin-covered cartilage in front of the meatus of the external ear immediately in front of the ear canal
- vaginal
- relating to or affecting the vagina