What is the difference between a drug and a

medicine?
A medicine is any substance that is designed to prevent or treat diseases and a drug is
designed to produce a specific reaction inside the body.

OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines sold directly to a consumer without
a prescription from a healthcare professional, as compared to prescription drugs,
which may be sold only to consumers possessing a valid prescription.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medications you can buy without a prescription.
These medications are sold in pharmacies, grocery stores, and convenience stores.
This is not to say that OTC drugs are harmless.
Any drug can be dangerous if misused. Taking more than one OTC drug at a time or
mixing OTC drugs and prescription drugs can be harmful or reduce effectiveness. It
is best to consult your pharmacist or doctor when taking OTC drugs. Also, combining
alcohol with any drug can be dangerous and even fatal.
The most common OTC drugs are pain relievers, cold and cough medications,
antihistamines, antacids, and laxatives. These drugs can be very helpful, short-term
solutions when used as instructed.

Stethoscope

Modern stethoscope.
The stethoscope is an acoustic medical device for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds
of an animal or human body. It is often used to listen to lung and heart sounds. It is also used to
listen to intestines and blood flow in arteries and veins. In combination with a

sphygmomanometer, it is commonly used for measurements of blood pressure. Less commonly,

"mechanic's stethoscopes" are used to listen to internal sounds made by machines, such as
diagnosing a malfunctioning automobile engine by listening to the sounds of its internal parts.
CATHETER

USES ("uretic catheter":) draining urine from

the urinary bladder as in urinary catheterization, e.g., the intermittent catheters or Foley catheter
or even when the urethra is damaged as in suprapubic catheterisation.
drainage of urine from the kidney by percutaneous (through the skin) nephrostomy
drainage of fluid collections, e.g. an abdominal abscess
administration of intravenous fluids, medication or parenteral nutrition with a peripheral
venous catheter
angioplasty, angiography, balloon septostomy, balloon sinuplasty, cardiac electrophysiology
testing, catheter ablation. Often the Seldinger technique is used.
direct measurement of blood pressure in an artery or vein
direct measurement of intracranial pressure
HEART..

INJECTION
An injection is an infusion method of putting fluid into the body, usually with a syringe and a
hollow needle which is pierced through the skin to a sufficient depth for the material to be
administered into the body. An injection follows a parenteral route of administration; that is,
administration via a route other than through the digestive tract. Since the process inherently
involves a small puncture wound to the body (with varying degrees of pain depending on
injection type and location, medication type, needle gauge and the skill of the individual

administering the injection), fear of needles is a common phobia.There are several methods of
injection or infusion used in humans, including intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular,
intravenous, intraosseous, intraperitoneal, intrathecal, epidural, intracardiac, intraarticular,
intracavernous, and intravitreal. Rodents used for research are often administered intracerebral.
Long-acting forms of subcutaneous/intramuscular injections are available for various drugs, and
are called depot injections.

BLOOD PRESSURE
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of
blood vessels. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually
refers to the arterial pressure in the systemic circulation. It is usually measured at a
person's upper arm. Blood pressure is usually expressed in terms of the systolic
(maximum) pressure over diastolic (minimum) pressure and is measured in
millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)
Arterial pressure is most commonly measured via a sphygmomanometer, which
historically used the height of a column of mercury to reflect the circulating
pressure.[41] Blood pressure values are generally reported in millimetres of mercury
(mm Hg), though aneroid and electronic devices do not contain mercury.
A sphygmomanometer is a device that measures blood pressure. It is composes of
an inflatable rubber cuff, which is wrapped around the arm. A measuring device
indicates the cuff's pressure. A bulb inflates the cuff and a valve releases pressure.
A stethoscope is used to listen to arterial blood flow sounds. There are three types
of sphygmomanometers. Digital sphygmomanometers are automated, providing
blood pressure reading without needing someone to operate the cuff or listen to the
blood flow sounds.

PRECAUTION:::::

Aneroid and digital manometers may require periodic calibration.

Use a larger cuff on obese or heavily muscled subjects.
Use a smaller cuff for pediatric patients.
For pediatric patients a lower blood pressure may indicate the presence of hypertension.
Don't place the cuff over clothing.
Flex and support the subject's arm.

 In some patients the Korotkoff sounds disappear as the systolic pressure is bled down. After
an interval, the Korotkoff sounds reappear. This interval is referred to as the "auscultatory gap."
This pathophysiologic occurrence can lead to a marked under-estimation of systolic pressure if
the cuff pressure is not elevated enough. It is for this reason that the rapid inflation of the blood
pressure cuff to 180mmHg was recommended above. The "auscultatory gap" is felt to be
increased blood pressure
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GEL, CREAMS AND OINTMENT AND LOTION
OINTMENT
intments are 80% oil and 20% water. These products feel greasy, do not absorb well
and are generally not easy to use on large areas. They are occlusive, which means
they trap moisture and heat in very well. Ointments promote medication absorption
over all other formulations. If an ingredient is in an ointment, it is always more
potent than the exact same ingredient packaged in a cream or lotion. For example,
amcinonide is a topical steroid. In an ointment it is considered high potency, and in
a cream or lotion it is considered medium-high potency.
GELGels are emulsions that contain oil-in-water. They usually have an alcohol base.
They dry into a thin, greaseless, nonstaining film. Like lotions and foams, they are
ideal for spreading on hairy areas and large areas. Gels are often ideal in the
treatment of acne, because they are a bit drying and most individuals with acne
have oily skin.
LOTION
Lotions are thinner than creams, and are often packaged in a pump. They absorb
very quickly and feel very light on the skin. They are easier to distribute on hairy
areas. Most over-the-counter body moisturizers are lotions.
ANTISEPTIC CREAMS
Creams are a semi-solid emulsion, half oil and half water. This formulation is
typically the easiest to use and is preferable by most patients. They spread easily,
absorb quickly and wash off with water. They have a medium viscosity or heaviness,
and are reasonably hydrating without feeling too heavy on your skin. Creams are
always packaged in a tub or a tube; they are too thick to be dispensed in a pump.
Creams are often used to treat acne in patients whose skin is somewhat dry, as the
creams promote hydration. Creams are also more beneficial in darker skin, which in
general is more easily irritated than lighter skin.