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Pharmacology for Nurses

Key Terms

Pharmacology for NursesKey Terms
atherosclerosis
formation of fatty material called plaques on inner arterial walls
cholesterol
major sterol in the body; important for the structure of cell membranes and the production of hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D
chylomicrons
lipoproteins produced by enterocytes in the gut; carry triglycerides to the tissues after dietary consumption
dyslipidemia
abnormal lipid levels or an imbalance of lipids in the blood
familial hypercholesterolemia
genetic disorder that manifests as very high cholesterol levels that can cause early cardiovascular disease
high-density lipoproteins (HDL or HDL-cholesterol)
cholesterol-rich lipoproteins made by the liver that function to remove cholesterol from the circulation; “good cholesterol”
HMG CoA reductase
enzyme involved in cholesterol biosynthesis
hypercholesterolemia
excessive blood levels of cholesterol
hyperlipidemia
excessive blood levels of lipids
hypertriglyceridemia
excessive blood levels of triglycerides
lipoprotein lipase
enzyme that breaks down triglycerides into free fatty acids
lipoproteins
combinations of lipids and proteins that carry cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood
low-density lipoproteins (LDL or LDL-cholesterol)
cholesterol-rich lipoprotein made by the liver and implicated in the development of atherosclerosis; “bad cholesterol”
pleiotropic effects
additional beneficial effects of statin medications unrelated to their lipid-lowering effects
triglycerides
main dietary source of fat; composed of three long fatty acid chains attached to a glycerol backbone
very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
triglyceride-rich lipoprotein made by the liver
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