Pharmacy Technician Exam: Glossary of Important Terms

accuracy: the degree of truth of a measurement
adulteration: the tampering or contamination of a product or substance
adverse effect: a harmful or undesired side effect resulting from the use of a medication
aerobic: needing oxygen to survive
alligation: method to find the amount of each ingredient needed to make a mixture of a given quantity or concentration
ampule: a small sealed vial which is used to contain and preserve a drug, usually a liquid commonly made of glass; abbreviated amp
anaerobic: the ability to survive without oxygen
anatomy: the study of the structures of the body
antibiotic: a substance that has the ability to destroy or interfere with the development of a microbe
apothecary: an old English system of weight and volume measures
application software: any software that is used by a facility in the administration of care
Arabic numeral: the ten digits (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9); the standard conventional numbers
arteries: the large vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood
American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (AAPT): a nonprofit organization specifically for pharmacy technicians in the offering of CE, information, and networking opportunites with fellow pharmacy technicians nationwide; established 1979
Average Wholesale Price (AWP): price used by pharmacy in the pricing of prescriptions to third party insurance companies; the AWP can be found in the Redbook
bactericidal: an agent that kills bacteria
bacteriostatic: an agent that inhibits the growth or development of but does not kill microorganisms
blood: a liquid tissue that is responsible for life, growth, and health; it contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets suspended in blood plasma
broad-spectrum antibiotic: a drug that has an antibacterial spectrum against a wide variety of organisms
buccal: located between the gum and the skin of the cheek
capsule: a solid dosage form in which the drug is enclosed within either a hard or soft soluble container or shell usually made of gelatin; abbreviated cap
cardiac muscle: found exclusively in the heart, it is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body
case law: a system of law based on judges’ decisions and legal precedents
centi-: the metric system prefix indicating one-hundredth
centigrade: the standard metric system temperature scale of 100 degrees, with 0 being the freezing point and 100 being the boiling point of water
central nervous system: the part of the nervous system that contains the brain and spinal cord; it is responsible for controlling all nervous function
centralized pharmacy: a pharmacy that provides its services from one location
clean room: bacteria-free room used in the preparation of sterile products, such as IV admixtures
code of ethics: a set of standards and principles that guide professionals in their functions
common fraction: an expressed number of parts of a whole
common law: a system of law derived from the decision of judges rather than statute
compound: a substance made up of two or more elements
compromised host: a person whose normal defense system is impaired and who is more susceptible to disease
computer applications: the hardware and software utilized to administer healthcare in a specific setting
computer hardware: the physical components of a computer system; includes the mouse, keyboard, and monitor
concentration: measure of how much of a given substance there is mixed with another substance; most frequently limited to homogeneous solutions, where it refers to the amount of solute in the solvent
contract law: a system of law that binds parties to a set of agreements
controlled substances: any medication that has the potential for abuse or dependency liability, as defined by the Controlled Substances Act of 1972
cream: topical preparation usually for application to the skin or to mucus membranes, such as those of the rectum or vagina
criminal law: the body of law that defines criminal offenses against the public
cubic centimeter: a measure of volume equal to a one cube centimeter on a side; often used in the past interchangeably with milliliter; avoid using this unit because of the possibility of medication error
daily dose: total amount of drug administered in a 24-hour period
decentralized pharmacy: a pharmacy that has a main location from which it provides services, but also has services in the patient care areas
decimal fraction: a decimal number with a value less than one and greater than zero; there is a zero to the left of the decimal point (e.g., 0.25)
decimal number: a numerator expressed in numerals with a decimal point placed to designate the value of the denominator, which is understood to be ten or a power of ten (100, 1,000, etc.)
delayed-release: formulation used in tablets or capsules to delay release of the drug
denominator: the part of a fraction that is below the fraction bar and that functions as the divisor of the numerator
diluent: agent used to increase the bulk weight or volume of a dosage form
dilution: process of making something less concentrated
direct purchasing: when a pharmacy purchases pharmaceutical supplies directly from the manufacturer
dosage: measured portion of medicine; also called dose
dosage form: the physical form of a dose of medication given for administration (e.g., capsule, solution, cream)
dose: the quantity of medication given to a patient as prescribed by a physician
drug class: a group of medications that have the same mechanism of action or chemical properties used to
treat: a specific disease/diseases
drug classification: a group of medications with the same or similar characteristics
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): a regulatory body that oversees the manufacturing and distribution of controlled substances; it also focuses on major trafficking of illegal drugs
drug utilization review (DUR): the process used by the retail pharmacy system to compare the existing treatment to a new treatment’s compatibility
drug wholesaler: a third party that purchases medications directly from the manufacturer and sells it to the pharmacy
effervescent: the escape of gas from an aqueous solution
elixir: a sweet flavored liquid usually containing a small amount of alcohol and medication to be taken by mouth in order to mask an unpleasant taste; abbreviated elix
emulsifying agent: a compound that facilitates the formation of an emulsion
emulsion: a suspension of small globules of one liquid in a second liquid with which the first will not mix; an emulsion may be oil-in-water or water-in-oil
endocrine system: a collection of glands that secrete hormones which regulate the body’s functions
enema: the introduction of a liquid or foam through the anus used for treatment or diagnosis
enteric-coated (EC): a barrier applied to oral medications that controls the location in the digestive system where it is absorbed
ethics: the study of values, morals, or morality, including concepts of good and evil, right and wrong
excipient: an inactive substance used as a carrier for the active ingredients of a medication
extended-release: used in pills, tablets, or capsules to dissolve slowly and release a drug over time
extremes: the two outside terms in a proportion
Fahrenheit: standard household system temperature scale
film-coated: a barrier applied to oral medication that facilitates swallowing and masks unpleasant tastes
filter needle: a needle that has a filter that will take out anything greater than five microns; used in the removal of ampule contents; also available are filter straws for the same purpose
flow rate: the amount of fluid that flows in a given time
fluid ounce: the measure of volume in the apothecary system equal to 28.57 mL
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): governmental regulatory agency whose purpose is to ensure safety and efficacy of all drugs currently on the market
formulary: a list of drugs that can be ordered, stocked, and administered at a given facility; also a term used for insurance companies as far as what medications they will pay for
fraction: an expression of division; a number that is a portion or part of a whole (e.g., 2 __3 )
fraud: the intentional deceit to deprive another or his or her money, property, or rights
gallon: household measure of volume equal to eight pints
gastrointestinal system: system made up of the stomach and large and small intestines; it is responsible for absorbing nutrients into the body
gel: jelly-like material that can have properties ranging from soft and weak to hard and tough
general ledger: the document that keeps a record for all debits and credits of a business
generic name: a general name given to a medication, which is not proprietary or protected by a patent
grain: standard unit of weight in the apothecary system; 1 grain (gr) is equal to 64.82 mg
gram: standard unit of weight in the metric system; 1 gram (g) is equal to 1,000 mg
granule: wetted powders allowed to dry and then ground into coarse pieces having a particle size larger than powders
heart: made of cardiac muscle, this organ is responsible for pumping deoxygenated blood to the lungs and oxygenated blood to the rest of the body
HEPA filter: filtration system used in laminar flow hoods to remove any particles less than 0.2 to 0.3 microns to ensure a steril (bacteria-free) work area
hydro-alcoholic: solvent containing water and alcohol
hydrophilic: anything mixable with water
hypertonic: having an osmotic pressure greater than human plasma; greater than 0.9% NaCl
hypotonic: having an osmotic pressure less than human plasma; less than 0.9% NaCl
improper fraction: a fraction in which the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator
indication: the intended use of a medication; what it treats
infusion: the introduction of a solution into a vein over a prolonged period of time
inhalation: medication to be taken by drawing in of air (or other gases), as in breathing
inhaler: a device used for inhalation; MDI means metered dose inhaler
injection: a method of putting liquid into the body, usually with a hollow needle and a syringe which is pierced through the skin to a sufficient depth for the material to be forced into the body
integumentary: system also known as the skin, it is responsible for protecting the internal structures from the external environment
international unit: standard amount of a drug required to produce a certain effect
inventory turns: the number of times the entire inventory was purchased over a certain period of time, usually one year
isotonic: term applied to two solutions with equal solute concentrations having the same or equal osmotic pressure; having an osmotic pressure equal to that of human plasma; equal to 0.9% NaCl
jelly: see gel
kilo-: metric system prefix indicating one-thousand (Kg)
laminar flow: hood (LFH) hood used in the preparation of sterile products such as IV admixtures; two types: horizontal for general preparation and vertical for chemo drugs
law: a rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority
legal precedent: a legal principle created by a court decision that provides an example for judges deciding similar issues in future cases
legend drug: another name for a prescription drug
legislative law: law that is enacted by legislative decisions; also known as statutory law
liter: standard unit of volume in the metric system; 1 liter (L) is equal to 1,000 milliliters (mL)
lotion: a low- to medium-viscosity, topical preparation intended for application to unbroken skin
lowest common denominator: the smallest whole number that can be divided evenly by all denominators of a series of fractions
lozenge: solid dosage form intended to dissolve or disintegrate slowly in the mouth, usually in a flavored, sweetened base
malpractice: professional misconduct or lack of knowledge which results in injury, death, or damage to a patient
markup: the difference between the cost of an item and the price for which it sells
means: the two inside terms of a proportion
mechanism of action (MOA): how the medication affects the body or disease to cure or treat a condition
medication error: a broad term that defines the potentially unsafe or unauthorized use of a medication on a patient
medication order: used in the inpatient setting to prescribe medications to a patient
metric system: standard system of measure used throughout most of the world and exclusively in the scientific community; most common system of measure in pharmacy
micro-: metric system prefix indicating one-millionth (mcg)
milli-: metric system prefix indicating one-thousandth
misbranding: fraudulent or misleading labeling or marketing
misdemeanor: a crime that is punishable by a fine or up to one year in jail
mixed fraction: a combination of a whole number and a proper fraction; the value of a mixed fraction is always greater than one
National Association of the Boards of Pharmacy (NABP): the professional association that helps to develop uniform standards for all states involved in the practice of pharmacy, with a focus on the protection of public health
net profit: the amount left from the selling price after cost of operations and overhead have been deducted
normal saline: 0.9% sodium chloride solution that is isotonic to body fluids; symbolized by NS; 0.9 g NaCl per 100 mL solution
numerator: the expression written above the line in a common fraction and which functions as the dividend of the denominator
ointment: thick viscous preparation for application to the skin, often containing medication; abbreviated ung
ophthalmic: pertaining to the eye
oral: relating to, affecting, or for use in the mouth or administration by way of the mouth; abbreviated PO
orphan drug: a drug that is used to treat rare diseases, defined by the FDA as fewer than 200,000 people in the United States
otic: pertaining to the ear
ounce: measure of weight in the apothecary system equal to approximately 30 grams (g)
ovaries: the female sex organs responsible for producing estrogen; these also contain the eggs which are released during the menstrual cycle
overhead: the cost of doing business
parenteral: avoiding the gastrointestinal tract
paste: preparation for external application that is usually stiffer, less greasy, and more hydrophilic than ointments
pastilles: subclass of lozenges that are softer and contain a high concentration of sugar or gelatin
pathology: the study of diseases in the body
patient profile: a written or electronic file that contains all of the patient’s demographic information
percent: a fraction whose numerator is expressed and whose denominator is understood to be 100; symbolized by %; in pharmacy, a percent is defined as grams of active drug/100 mL solution or g of base
percent markup: markup expressed as a percent of cost
pH: a measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution or substance
pharmacodynamics: the study of the physiological changes that occur when a medication is introduced into the body
pharmacokinetics: the study of how a medication moves and changes throughout the body
physiology: the study of the functions of the body
pint: household measure of volume equal to 16 fluid ounces
policy: a plan of action that sets limits or boundary conditions around decisions that employees make
powder: intimate mixtures of dry, finely divided drugs and/or inert ingredients intended for internal or external use
preservative: a substance used to retard, minimize, or prevent growth of microorganisms
procedure: a stepwise view of how to execute a specific task
product: the result of multiplying two or more quantities together
professional ethics: standards that guide an individual in their profession
proper fraction: a fraction in which the numerator is smaller than the denominator; the value of a proper fraction is always less than one
proportion: the relationship between two equal ratios
protected health information: any communication that can identify an individual or disclose information about the state of their health; abbreviated as PHI
purchase order (PO): the document sent to a medication supplier which requests an order of medication be sent to the pharmacy
Pyxis: a machine that dispenses medication as well as durable medical products; used today in many hospital institutions, pharmacies, and nursing units
quart: a household measure of volume equal to 32 fluid ounces
ratio: an expression that compares two numbers by division; symbolized by a colon
ratio strength: a measure of concentration that specifies a quantity of substance in grams contained in a specified volume of solution; for example, ratio strength of 1:1,000 means 1 g dissolved in 1,000 mL of solution
reconstitution: the preparation of a powder bottle/vial into a liquid formulation by adding necessary diluent (liquid)
rectal: pertaining to the final straight portion of the large intestine
repackaged medications: any pharmacy product that has been removed from its original packaging from the manufacturer and placed in new packaging by the pharmacy
respiratory system: the organ system that contains the lungs, which is responsible for taking in oxygen and excreting carbon dioxide
Roman numeral: the system of numerals that uses letters to represent number values
rounding: a process to yield a new number that has about the same value as the original number, but is less exact
saline: salt solution, usually composed of sodium chloride
selling price: the amount the customer pays for the product or service
solute: any substance that is dissolved in a liquid solvent to create a solution
solution homogeneous (evenly distributed): mixture of two or more substances, frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid; abbreviated sol
solvent: a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances
state board of pharmacy (BOP): the governing body that determines practice standards in a particular state
stock solution: a concentrated solution that is diluted before use
subcutaneous: beneath the skin; abbreviated SQ, SC, or subQ
sublingual: placed beneath the tongue; abbreviated SL
suppository: a small plug of medication designed for insertion into the rectum or vagina where it melts; abbreviated supp
suspension: a mixture in which fine particles are suspended in a fluid where they are supported by buoyancy; abbreviated susp
syrup: thick liquid to which a sweetener has been added to mask the taste of a bitter drug or to make it easier for children to take; abbreviated syr
tablespoon: a household measurement of volume approximately equal to 15 mL (Tbsp)
tablet: a dose of medicine in the form of a small pellet; abbreviated tab
teaspoon: a household measurement of volume approximately equal to 5 mL (tsp)
testes: the male sex organs responsible for secreting testosterone; responsible for producing sperm
thyroid gland: endocrine gland that secretes thyroid hormone; responsible for regulating metabolism and generating body heat
tincture: a medicine consisting of an extract in a strong alcohol solution
topical: pertaining to the surface of a body part
transdermal: through the skin
troche: subcategory of lozenge that is compressed
unit: the amount of medication required to produce a desired effect
veins: the large vessels that carry oxygen-depleted blood
vial: a relatively small glass vessel used to store medication as liquid or powder