Final Exam Flashcards
Common abbreviations
By mouth - PO
Three times a day - tid
Every 6 hours - Q6h
Drop - gtt
After meals/after eating - pc
Before meals - ac
Give immediately (within 5 min) - STAT
Should be available within 30 min - ASAP
As needed - PRN
Metric table
1 tsp = 5mL
1 Quart = about 1 L
2.2 Lbs = 1 kg
1 fluid ounce = 30 mL
1 TBS = 15 mL
1 Gram = 1000 mg
1 mg= 1000 mcg
o 1,000 mcg= 1 mg
o 1,000 mg= 1G
o 1,000 G= 1kg
o 1oz= 30 mL= 2 tbsp
o 5mL= 1 tsp
o 1 mL= 1 cc
Pharmacological and therapeutic classifications
Pharmacologic
More specific description of how a drug produces its effect in the body (MOA)
Therapeutic
What a particular drug does clinically in treating a disease. Pathology they are intended to treat (Indication)
Scheduled drugs rationale
Schedule I - most potential for risk of abuse and dependence
Heroin, LSD, peyote
Only for research purposes
Schedule II
Morphine, Dilauded, Methadone, Oxycodone, Fentanyl
Requires prescription - must be written in ink or typed, requires office visit for refill, requires signature not a stamp
Schedule III
Anabolic steroids, codeine, Ketamine
Schedule IV
Xanax, valium, versed, Ativan
Schedule V
Antidiarrheal, antitussive, analgesic
OTC cough medications with limited narcotics
Narrow therapeutic index
Requires frequent assessment to prevent adverse effects and toxicity
Includes blood draws-peak and trough
Example drugs: lithium, vancomycin, theophylline
Drug half-life
Time it takes for 50% of the drug to be eliminated in your body
Short half life
Quickly reduced by half, decreasing the risk for toxicity
Quick acting
Ideal for fast relief
Higher risk for dependency
Lower risk for toxicity
Long half life
Takes longer to be reduced by half
May take longer to “kick in”
Ideal for long term relief
Lower risk for dependency
Higher risk for toxicity
Median effective dose
The effective dose for 50% of patients
Factors that affect absorption of drugs
Drug formulation and dose
Site of administration (enteral/parenteral)
Lipid solubility and pH
First pass effect
Food and drug interactions
Blood flow
pain/stress, etc
Agonist/antagonist defined
Agonist drugs
Binds to the receptor and produces the same response as an endogenous chemical (opioid). Helps work WITH the effect of another drug or body system.
Partial agonist or agonist-antagonist drugs
Produce a weaker response than an agonist
Antagonist drugs
Has an affinity for a receptor but displays little or no response. Prevents a response from occurring; works AGAINST the effect of another drug or body system. May be used to prevent effects eliciting from a previously administered medication (Naloxone)
Medication reconciliation
Keeping track of polypharmacia
Track interactions
Nurses’ responsibilities during medication errors
Report it
Assess pt
Pregnancy categories
o A- aokay (no fetal risk in controlled studies)
o B- better ask (no rist to fetus despite possible animal risk)
o C- caution (adverse effects in animals, but no human studies
o D- danger (studies show risks to mother and fetus)
o X- never (fetal abnormalities)
CAM therapies that increase the risk of bleeding
o ginger, garlic, St Johns Wort
How do drugs effect neurotransmitters
o They increase or decrease the action of NTs, they don’t add more NTs.
o Drugs affect the ANS in: synthesis, storage, influence the release, bind to receptors, prevent
destruction
Antidotes for acetaminophen, insulin, opioids, warfarin, heparin, enoxaparin, digoxin
Acetaminophen - acetylcysteine
Insulin - dextrose, glucagon
Opioids - Naloxone (Narcan)
Warfarin - Vitamin K
Heparin - Protamine
Enoxaparin - Protamine sulfate
Digoxin - Digoxin-specific antibody antigen-binding fragments (DSFab), digiband/digifab
Anticholinergic side effects
S/E: dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, urinary retention, photophobia, ortho hypotension
Adrenergic agonist and sympathomimetic drugs defined
o indications: shock, hypotension, hypo-shock, allergic rhinitis (hayfever), pre-labor (relaxes sm)
o aka agonists/ sympathomimetic
o catecholamines- share same chemical structure as NE.
o noncatecholamines- dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
o nursing care: watching pt very closely, take before 4 pm so no insomnia
Medication therapeutic goal for treating Parkinson’s disease
Overall purpose: treat symptoms, delay progression, no cure for disease
Patho: loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SNpc
dopamine replacement sinimet (levodopa/carbidopa)
SSRI patient teaching (Zoloft/sertraline?)
o generally first line of treatment, major differences in tolerability
o watch for signs of Serotonin syndrome:
▪ caused by multiple medications that affect the metabolism, synthesis, or reuptake of
serotonin
▪ buildup of serotonin in neurons
▪ SE: agitation/confusion/restlessness, flushing or diaphoresis, lethargy, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, muscle twitching/tremors, hyperthermia, tachycardia
-takes weeks to works
-suicide risk
- no sudden stop
EPS causes and types
Causes: antipsychotic medications (phenothiazines, nonphenothiazines, dopamine system stabilizers)
- Acute dystonia
muscle spasms (back, neck, tongue, and face), dislocate joints, impair respirations due to laryngospasm
- Akathisia (inability to rest or relax)
Paces, trouble sitting still, or difficulty sleeping, Repetitive movements: rocking or crossing/uncrossing arms and legs. May be mistaken for anxiety and agitation. *Symptom management with beta-adrenergic blockers, anticholinergics, or benzodiazepines
- Parkinsonism
Tremor, loss of fine motor skills, muscle rigidity, stooped posture, shuffling gait
- Tardive dyskinesia (TD) - face and tongue
Antiseizure drugs general patient teaching-Epilepsy specifically
Avoid alcohol, OTC drugs, other CNS depressants and herbal medications
Avoid nicotine
If diabetic, monitor blood glucose
Opioid side/adverse effects
Sedation, euphoria, intense relaxation, nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, pruritus (itching), respiratory depression, orthostatic hypotension, increased intracranial pressure, risk of physical and psychological dependence, dizziness, hallucinations, anxiety, tolerance
Important nursing assessments for opioid administration
Pain
Vitals
Monitor for respiratory depression
watch for addiction, assess pain before and after administration
Statin (atorvastatin-Lipitor) side effects and patient teaching
o helps with dyslipidemia, CAD
o SE: Muscle weakness/pain, headaches, GI upset, Rhabdomyolysis (dangerous levels of muscle
breakdown, can clog kidneys), Myopathy (muscle weakness)
o Also can be hard on liver (might need liver function tests)
o avoid grapefruit juice
o take at night (cholesterol synthesis)
- cola pee