Drug Profiles Flashcards
1
Q
Activated Charcoal
A
- Names: activated charcoal, Actidose, Super-Char, Liqui-Char
- Class: absorbent
- Mechanism of action: adheres (binds) many drugs and chemicals, preventing their absorption from the gastrointestinal tract
- Indication: recently ingested poisons
- Contraindications: decreased level of consciousness, inability to swallow, ingestion of acids, alkalis, or hydrocarbons, expired medication, lack of medical direction, should not be used on pediatric patients combined with Sorbitol, hypovolemic patients, or dehydrated patients due to risk of severe diarrhea
- Dose: adult dose is 1 gram per kilogram of body weight, pediatric dose is 25 to 50 grams
- Route: orally
- Side effects: nausea and vomiting, dark, tarry stool
- Supply: 15-, 25-, or 50-gram bottles or tubes
- Special considerations: medication will settle, shake before administering, use caution if you suspect the patient’s level of consciousness may deteriorate, have suction ready
2
Q
Aspirin
A
- Names: acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin, Anacin, Bayer
- Class: anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregate, antipyretic
- Mechanism of action: reduces inflammation, decreases platelet aggregation, reduces fever
- Indication: chest pain
- Contraindications: allergy to medication, decreased level of consciousness, inability to swallow, recent bleeding, active ulcer, pediatric patient, expired medication, lack of medical direction
- Dose: 160 to 325 mg (2 to 4 pediatric chewables)
- Route: orally
- Side effects: nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, bleeding, allergic reaction
- Supply: 81-mg pediatric chewables
- Special considerations: it should not be given to children or teenagers who have or are recovering from a fever or chickenpox, as it has been associated with a rare condition called Reye’s syndrome
3
Q
“Rescue inhalers,” not maintenance inhalers.
MDI and SVN Medications (Assist)
A
- Names: albuterol, also known as Proventil, Ventolin, ipratropium bromide, also known as Atrovent, isoetharine, also known as Bronkosol, Alupent, also known as Metaprel or metaproterenol
- Class: bronchodilator
- Mechanism of action: relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, improving air exchange
- Indication: dyspnea, asthma, reactive airway disease
- Contraindications: allergy to medication, patient unable to follow commands, expired medication, medication not prescirbed to patient, lack of medical direction
- Dose: 1 to 2 inhalations
- Route: inhaled
- Side effects: tachycardia, hypertension, increased myocardial oxygen demand, restlessness, anxiousness
- Supply: MDI
- Special considerations: some patients may have a spacer device to simplify administration
4
Q
Epi-Auto Injector
A
- Names: Epinephrine, EpiPen, Epi auto-injector, Adrenaclick
- Class: sympathomimetic, bronchodilator
- Mechanism of action: peripheral vasoconstriction, increased heart rate, bronchodilation
- Indication: anaphylaxis
- Contraindications: expired medication, lack of medical direction
- Dose: 1 auto-injector, 0.3 mg
- Route: intramuscularlly, usually lateral mid-thigh
- Side effects: tachycardia, hypertension, increased myocardial oxygen demand, restlessness, anxiousness
- Supply: auto-injector, adult and pediatric auto-injectors available
- Special considerations: needle will go through clothing if necessary, must hold in place for several seconds, dispose of sharps properly imediately after administration
5
Q
Naloxone
A
- Names: naloxone, Narcan, Narcan nasal spray
- Class: narcotic antagonist
- Mechanism of action: reverses effects of opioid (narcotic) medications, such as respiratory depression and decreased level of consciousness
- Indication: suspected opioid (narcotic) overdose
- Contraindications: allergy to medication, expired medication, lack of medical direction
- Dose: 0.4-4 mg
- Route: intramuscular via auto injector or intranasal via commercial nasal spray or mucosal atomizer device
- Side effects: vomiting, possible combative behavior, possible withdrawal symptoms in narcotic dependent patients
- Supply: liquid (usually 1 mg per mL) or spray bottle
- Special considerations: additional doses may be needed for continued effects
6
Q
Nitroglycerin (Assist)
A
- Names: nitroglycerin, Nitrostat, Nitrobid, Nitrolingual
- Class: anti-anginal, vasodilator
- Mechanism of action: vasodilation, decreased myocardial oxygen demand, increased myocardial oxygen supply
- Indication: chest pain, suspected angina or myocardial infarction
- Contraindications: expired medication, not prescribed to the patient, hypotension, recent use of Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, or any other erectile dysfunction medication, head injury, lack of medical direction
- Dose: 0.4 mg
- Route: sublingual
- Side effects: reflex tachycardia, hypotension, headache, burning under the tongue, nausea and vomiting
- Supply: spray or tablet
7
Q
Oral Glucose
A
- Names: oral glucose, Glutose, Insta-Glucose
- Class: oral hyperglycemic
- Mechanism of action: increases blood glucose level
- Indication: hypoglycemia
- Contraindications: decreased level of consciousness, inability to swallow, expired medication, lack of medical direction
- Dose: 15 to 25 grams
- Route: orally
- Side effects: nausea and vomiting
- Supply: tube
8
Q
Oxygen
A
- Names: oxygen
- Class: inhaled gas
- Mechanism of action: increases oxygen concentration, reverses hypoxia, increases arterial oxygen, increases hemoglobin saturation,
- Indication: suspected hypoxia
- Contraindications: unsafe environment
- Dose: 1-6 L/min, 24%-44% via nasal cannula, 8-10 L/min, 40%-60% via simple face mask, 15 L/min, 80%-90% via partial non-rebreather mask, 10-15 L/min, 90% via non-rebreather mask, 24%-40% via venturi mask, 16% via mouth-to-mouth, 15 L/min, up to 55% via mouth-to-mask with supplemental oxygen, 15 L/min, 100% via bag valve mask with reservoir, 40 L/min, 100% via manually triggered ventilation device, 80% via CPAP
- Route: inhaled
- Side effects: rare respiratory depression with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
- Supply: compressed gas in cylinders
