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Pharmacology for Nurses

Key Terms

Pharmacology for NursesKey Terms

Key Terms

basal insulin dosing
an important component in diabetes management because it acts as a background insulin that is designed to stabilize blood glucose levels during times of fasting
bolus
a single dose of a drug being administered
continuous glucose monitor
a device that monitors blood glucose levels on a continual basis
diabetes
a disease that results from a deficiency in insulin that leads to alterations in the metabolism of glucose, fats, and proteins
fasting blood glucose
a test that measures the blood sugar level after an overnight fasting period
glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c)
a test that measures the blood sugar level over the past 60 to 90 days
hyperglycemia
a condition that occurs when the blood glucose level in the body is above the normal range of 70–110 mg/dL and the body has too little insulin or is insulin resistant, making it unable to lower the blood glucose level on its own
hypoglycemia
a condition that occurs when the blood glucose level in the body falls below the normal range of 70–110 mg/dL
insulin
a hormone released by β cells from the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas after eating a meal that helps the body’s cells absorb glucose for energy
insulin pen
a pen-shaped injector device that combines insulin and a syringe in one unit; insulin pens are prefilled with an insulin cartridge or have a prefilled insulin reservoir
insulin pump
a small, computerized infusion set device that delivers insulin
ketoacidosis
a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body breaks down fat too quickly, causing the liver to produce ketones, which in turn causes the blood to become acidic
non-insulin injectable diabetes drugs
drugs that provide an alternative to insulin therapy for those with type 2 diabetes; they act on hormones that are secreted along with insulin by the pancreas to control glucose homeostasis
oral diabetes drugs
drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels
peak time
the time during which insulin is at its maximum strength in terms of lowering blood glucose levels; individuals are at a higher risk of developing hypoglycemic symptoms when insulin is peaking
pheochromocytoma
a rare non-cancerous tumor that develops in the adrenal gland that causes an excessive release of adrenal hormones
polydipsia
increased thirst
polyphagia
increased hunger
polyuria
frequent urination
random blood glucose
a test that measures the blood sugar level at the time tested
sliding scale coverage
varying the dose of insulin based on the blood glucose level
subcutaneous
situated or applied under the skin
titrated
continuously measuring and adjusting the balance of a drug dosage
type 1 diabetes
an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the β cells in the pancreas that make insulin, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels
type 2 diabetes
a disorder that occurs as a result of the body not making enough insulin or not using insulin well
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