Cardiovascular and Systemic Drugs: Classes, Uses and Mechanisms
Anti-arrhythmic Drugs
Anti-arrhythmic drugs are medications used to treat abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). They work by modifying the electrical activity of the heart.
Classification
- Class I: Sodium channel blockers (e.g., Quinidine, Lidocaine)
- Class II: Beta blockers (e.g., Propranolol)
- Class III: Potassium channel blockers (e.g., Amiodarone)
- Class IV: Calcium channel blockers (e.g., Verapamil)
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are drugs that prevent blood clotting.
- Warfarin: Inhibits vitamin K–dependent
Clinical Exercise Physiology Essentials
Role of the Clinical Exercise Physiologist
A Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) investigates the relationship between exercise and chronic disease, focusing on the mechanisms of how exercise influences disease states. Their scope of practice includes evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. They study anatomy, physiology, chemistry, kinesiology, and psychology to analyze medical records, perform fitness and stress tests, and measure factors such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and
Read MoreMedical School Application: STAR Method Narrative Examples
Why Medicine? The STAR Method
Thesis Statement: I didn’t arrive at medicine through a single moment, but through lived experiences that revealed a pattern—one that brought together human connection, scientific inquiry, and advocacy for those who are too often unheard.
Human Connection
1. Working as a recreation therapist in long-term care and palliative care, I moved beyond theory and classroom teachings to actual, real-life patient-facing experiences where I had to face some of the most complex,
Read MoreGynecological Surgery, Cancer Care, Pregnancy and Childbirth
Gynecological Surgery Effects
Gynecological surgery can affect: femininity, body image, relationships, sexuality, the pelvic floor muscles, hormonal balance, quality of life and mobility habits. Cancers include:
- Vulvar cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Ovarian and tubal cancer
- Breast cancer (highest 31%)
Preoperative Nursing Care
Begins from the outpatient department. Key elements:
- Provide information about the procedure and preoperative preparation.
- Organize preparation for the operating
Surgical and Medication Terms for Patients
Medical Terms and Abbreviations
This list preserves the original terms and provides corrected spelling, grammar, and consistent capitalization for clarity.
- INR
- International Normalized Ratio; a system that reports the results of blood clotting tests and is used when patients take anticoagulant medication.
- IM / IMI
- Intramuscular injection; an injection given into the muscle.
- liver disease
- A disease that decreases liver function.
- mane
- In the morning (Latin medical abbreviation).
- metabolism
- Chemical processes
Essential Pharmacology and Medication Administration
Essential Pharmacology Terms
- Onset: The time it takes for a drug to reach the minimum effective concentration.
- Peak drug level: The highest drug concentration in the blood.
- Trough drug level: The lowest concentration reached before the next dose.
- Duration: The length of time a drug exerts a therapeutic effect.
- Side effects: Secondary drug effects.
- Adverse reactions: Unintentional or unexpected reactions.
- Drug interactions: A changed action of a drug resulting from interaction with another drug.
- Drug toxicity: