Final Flashcards
Adverse Effects
Glucocorticoid - prednisone
Suppression of adrenal function, hyperglycemia, myopathy, peptic ulcer disease, gastrointestinal discomfort, infection, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, fat redistribution (long term therapy), bone loss, cataracts (long term therapy)
Therapeutic Use
Opioid Antagonist - naloxone
Reversal of opioid effects (overdose)
Reversal of neonatal respiratory depression (from maternal analgesics)
Treatment of opioid abuse by preventing euphoria (naltrexone)
Reversal of severe opioid-caused constipation in clients who have late stage cancer or other disorders
What are the most important vital signs to assess before administration of opioid agonists?
Respirations
Adverse Effects
Opioid Agonist - morphine
Respiratory depression Sedation, dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness Constipation Nausea, vomiting Orthostatic hypotension Urinary retention Cough suppression Potential for abuse with tolerance and cross-tolerance with other opioids (larger dose required for usual effect)
Contraindications
COX-2 Inhibitor - celecixib
Pregnancy risk (third trimester) - can cause premature closure of ductus arteriosus Severe hepatic impairment, advanced kidney disease, children younger than 18 years old, GI bleeding, anemia, pain from coronary artery bypass grafting, allergy to sulfa, sulfonamides
Therapeutic Use
Antigout - allopurinol
Hyperuricemia due to chronic tophaceous gout, cancer chemotherapy, and some blood dyscrasias
Adverse Effects
Nonopioid Analgesic - acetaminophen
Liver damage (overdose) Hypertension (with daily use, particularly women)
Therapeutic Use
NSAID - aspirin
Inflammation suppression Analgesia for mild to moderate pain Fever reduction Dysmenorrhea Inhibition of platelet aggregation
Nursing Interventions
Methylphenidate - methylphenidate hydrochloride
Give doses early in day to allow for nighttime sleep
Monitor height and weight
Drug “holidays” may help prevent growth suppression
Monitor vital signs
Monitor use of this drug carefully
Taper dose when discontinuing drug
Monitor for signs of depression, fatigue when drug is stopped
Therapeutic Use
Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxant - baclofen
Relieves skeletal muscle spasms in: spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy
Adverse Effects
Hydantoin - phenytoin
Drowsiness and other CNS effects Gingival hyperplasia (abnormal growth of tissues around gums) Skin rash (epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome) Withdrawal symptoms following long-term use (seizures)
Contraindications
Hydantoin - phenytoin
Pregnancy risk: teratogenic
Skin rash, bradycardia or heart block, previous allergy to hydantoins, seizures caused by low blood sugar
Adverse Effects
Benzodiazepines - midazolam
Amnesia (memory loss from prior to injection)
Cardiac or respiratory arrest
Pharmacological Action
Dopamine Replacement Drug - levodopa/carbidopa
Dopamine-replacement drugs work because they can cross the blood-brain barrier, where they are then taken up by the remaining dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The drug then converts to dopamine in these neurons and is available for use. Carbidopa augments levodopa by decreasing the amount of levodopa that converts to dopamine in the intestines and periphery. This results in greater amounts of levodopa reaching the CNS
Therapeutic Use
Serotonin Agonist - sumatripan
Relieve symptoms of existing migraine or cluster headache
Client Education
MAO-B Inhibitors - selegiline
Instruct client to take last dose of the day by noon to prevent insomnia
Instruct client to notify provider before taking any new drugs
Instruct client about foods to avoid
Inform client of drugs, including herbals, which may interact with selegiline
Instruct client to report irritation to provider
Adverse Effects
SSRIs
Insomnia, nervousness
Sexual dysfunction
Headache
Weight gain
Hyponatremia (especially in older adults and those taking diuretics)
Increased risk for suicidal ideation (especially young adults)
Serotonin syndrome
Interactions
SNRI - venlafaxine
Taking SNRIs within 14 days of MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome
Cimetidine (tagament), desipramine (Norpramin), and haloperidol (Haldol) increase blood levels of venlafaxine
Trazodone (Desyrel), St. Johns Wort, and sour date nut increases the risk of serotonin syndrome
What labs should be monitored when a patient is on lithium?
Monitor lithium serum levels (should be below 1.0 mEq/L)
Monitor sodium levels
Contraindications
Tetracyclines
Pregnancy risk - teratogenic Children younger than 8 years old Allergy to tetracyclines Exposure to ultraviolet light Serious renal or liver failure
Adverse Effects
Aminoglycosides - gentamicin
Elevated trough levels of drug (early signs include tinnitus, headache, and vertigo) can cause ototoxicity
Nephrotoxicity (polyuria, dilute urine, protein and casts in urine, elevated BUN, creatinine)
Ataxia
What is the suffix for fluroquinolones?
-floxacin
Interactions
Fluoroquinolones - ciprofloxacin
Antacids, iron preparation, calcium (including dairy products), and sucralafate (Carafate) decreases oral absorption
Increase theophylline levels and the risk for CNS symptoms
Increase warfarin (Coumadin) levels
Concurrent use of erythromycin, quinidine, some antipsychotics, and tricyclic antidepressants can increase the risk for torsade de pointes in those susceptible
Increase hypoglycemia may occur when taken concurrently with antidiabetic medications
Adverse Effects
Antiviral - acyclovir
Topical form: burning, itching at application site (usually temporary)
Oral: GI symptoms (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, headache, vertigo)
IV: Renal toxicity, CNS toxicity (rare; clients with renal impairment are at most risk), restlessness, tremors, psychosis, seizures, thrombophlebitis at IV site, IV infiltration causes damage
Adverse Effects
Anti-tubercular - isoniazid
Liver damage, including hepatitis, liver failure (especially common in older adults and clients with alcohol use disorder)
Peripheral neuropathy: numbness, tingling, pain in the hands or feet (especially common in clients who have diabetes or alcohol use disorder)
CNS symptoms: dizziness, ataxia, seizures, psychotic symptoms
GI symptoms: nausea/vomiting
Therapeutic Use
Antifungal - amphotericin B
IV: severe systemic fungal infections that are likely to be fatal if not treated with amphotericin B
Topical, oral suspension: candida infections of the skin and mucous membranes
Urinary irrigation may be used to treat candida infections of the bladder or lower urinary tract
Adverse Effects
Bronchodilators - albuterol
Chest pain, palpitations
Nervousness, restlessness, tremors
Medication Administration
Bronchodilators - albuterol
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for using delivery devices
Use short-acting preparations for acute exacerbations
Use long-acting preparations for long-term control
Inhale beta2-adrenergic agonists before inhaling glucocorticoids
Follow dosage limits and schedules
Watch for signs and triggers of impending exacerbation of asthma
Keep a log of the frequency and intensity of exacerbations
Notify the provider of changes in patterns of exacerbations
Pharmacological Action
Anticholinergics - ipratropium
Inhibits interaction of acetylcholine at receptor sites on the bronchial smooth muscle, resulting in decreased cyclic guanosine monophosphate and bronchdilation