MedComp Final Flashcards
acetaminophen (p/o)
TYLENOL
Indication: mild pain, fever
Contraindications: previous sensitivity, severe hepatic impairment, active liver disease
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, anxiety
Adverse Reactions: hepatic impairment, renal failure, cardiac damage, toxic epidermal necrosis, rash
Nursing Considerations: consider other medications containing acetaminophen when calculating daily dose, lower doses for patients with hepatic impairment
Patient Teachings: take as directed, notify HCP if fever exceeds 3 days, discontinue and notify HCP if rash occurs
acetylsalicylic acid (p/o)
ASPIRIN
Indication: mild pain. fever, inflammatory disorders, prophylaxis for heart attacks
Contraindications: previous sensitivity to aspirin, bleeding disorders, cross-sensitivity to other NSAIDS
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, epigastric distress, abdominal pain
Adverse Reactions: GI bleeding, anaphylaxis, tinnitus
Nursing Considerations: scheduled doses for inflammatory conditions, monitor for hypersensitivity reactions, monitor serum levels >400mcg/mL
Patient Teachings: Consult HCP if tinnitus occurs, Consult doctor if fever exceeds 3 days, take with food or water to reduce GI effects, sit upright for 15-30 min following administration to reduce GI effects
alprazolam (p/o)
XANAX
Indication: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorders, anxiety associated with depression
Contraindications: previous hypersensitivity, sensitivity to other benzodiazepines, pre-existing CNS depression, severe uncontrolled pain
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness
Adverse Reactions: blurred vision, tinnitus, chest pain, confusion
Nursing Considerations: monitor patients also taking opioids for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression, give smallest possible therapeutic dose to prevent ataxia
Patient Teachings: avoid grapefruit juice, drowsiness may occur so avoid driving, take exactly as prescribed and do not exceed prescribed amount, avoid alcohol
amlodipine (p/o)
**NORVASC*
Indication: hypertension, angina pectoris, spastic angina
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, systolic BP <90mmHG
Side Effects: nausea, dizziness, fatigue, flushing
Adverse Reactions: peripheral edema, angina, bradycardia, hypotension
Nursing Considerations: monitor BP before and during therapy, monitor intake and output ratios daily, monitor for signs of heart failure
Patient Teachings: take exactly as prescribed, teach patient to monitor pulse, drowsiness may occur so avoid driving, notify HCP if HR <50bpm
atorvastatin calcium (p/o)
LIPITOR
Indication: management of high cholesterol, prevention of coronary artery disease
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, active liver disease
Side Effects: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, heartburn
Adverse Reactions: chest pain, peripheral edema, insomnia, memory loss
Nursing Considerations: obtain baseline lipid profile before treatment start, obtain diet history (fat consumption)
Patient Teachings: take medication exactly as prescribed, medication should be implemented along with diet and exercise changes, consult HCP in the event of unexplained muscle pain/tenderness/weakness
dextromethorphan (p/o)
**ROBITUSSIN*
Indication: coughs caused by upper respiratory infections, chronic non-productive coughs
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, chronic productive coughs, patients taking MAO inhibitors or SSRI’s
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting
Adverse Reactions: stomach pain, sedation
Nursing Considerations: monitor cough type and frequency, monitor for symptom improvement
Patient Teachings: Take drug exactly as prescribed and don’t exceed recommended amount, avoid alcohol, contact HCP if cough last longer than 1 week
diphenhydramine (p/o)
BENADRYL
Indication: relief of allergic symptoms, mild nighttime sedation, prevention of motion sickness
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, acute asthma attacks, known alcohol tolerance
SIde Effects: nausea, drowsiness, dizziness
Adverse Reactions: tinnitus, blurred vision, dysuria, hypotension
Nursing Considerations: There are multiple uses for this drug, so it’s important to know the reason it was ordered when assessing symptoms.
- Anaphylaxis: assess for urticaria and patient airway
- Insomnia: assess sleep patterns
- Motion sickness: assess for nausea, vomiting and bowel sounds
Patient Teachings: Take exactly as prescribed. Medication may cause dizziness, avoid driving. Medication may cause dry mouth, oral rinses. Teach sleep hygiene, dark quiet room at night and limit daytime naps.
docusate sodium (p/o)
COLACE
Indication: constipation, prevent of opioid induced constipation
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting associated with fever
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps
Adverse Reactions: electrolyte imbalance, urinary discoloration, rash
Nursing Considerations: Determine adequate fluid intake, exercise and diet before administration
Patient Teachings: Laxative should be used for short-term therapy. Teach patient other forms of bowel regulation including increase fluid intake. Teach cardiac patients to avoid straining during bowel movement.
famotidine (p/o)
PEPCID
Indication: Management of GERD, acid indigestion, active duodenal ulcers, benign gastric ulcers
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, patients with phenylketonuria
Side Effects: nausea, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness
Adverse Reactions: arrhythmias, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia (no RBC production)
Nursing Considerations: assess patient for abdominal pain, look for blood in emesis/stool/gastric aspirate
Patient Teachings: Take course exactly as directed even if you are feeling better, may cause drowsiness so avoid driving, avoid alcohol
ferrous sulfate (p/o)
IRON
Indication: iron deficiency anemia
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, hemochromatosis (iron overload with organ damage), hemosiderosis (iron overload w/o organ damage)
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, constipation, dark stools
Adverse Reactions: GI bleeding, syncope
Nursing Considerations: GI upset may be related to dose, monitor Hb level, hematocrit and reticulocyte count during therapy
Patient Teachings: Explain purpose of iron therapy. Inform patients that stools may appear dark green/black. Educate patients on high-iron foods that should also be implemented.
furosemide (p/o)
LASIX
Indication: edema, heart failure, renal disease, hypertension
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, cross-sensitivity with thiazides and sulfonamides, hepatic coma
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration
Adverse Reactions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (skin), agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia (no RBC production)
Nursing Considerations: monitor vital signs with longterm use, stop if oliguria (small amounts of urine, monitor glucose in patients with diabetes
Patient Teachings: take drug exactly as prescribed, change positions to reduce orthostatic hypotension, call HCP if gain >3lbs in one day
gabapentin (p/o)
Indication: partial seizures, post-herpetic neuralgia
Contraindications: hypersensitivity
Side Effects: dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, depression
Adverse Reactions: hypersensitivity reactions, suicidal thoughts
Nursing Considerations: monitor patients taking anti-epileptic drugs for changes in behavior (depression, suicidal behavior). When stopping these medication, it must be stopped gradually over course of >1 week to avoid seizures.
Patient Teachings: take exactly as prescribed, may cause drowsiness (avoid driving), call HCP if thoughts of suicide, depression or anxiety occur
guaifenesin (p/o)
MUCINEX
Indication: coughs caused by upper respiratory infections
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, intolerance to alcohol
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Adverse Reactions: urticaria, stomach pain
Nursing Considerations: monitor cough type and frequency
Patient Teachings: instruct to cough effectively (mobilize mucus out of respiratory tract, may cause drowsiness (avoid driving)
hydrochlorothiazide (p/o)
MICROZIDE
Indication: mild to moderate hypertension, heart failure, renal dysfunction
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, intolerance to tartrazine, anuria
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness
Adverse Reactions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (skin disorder), hypotension, pancreatitis
Nursing Considerations: monitor BP, monitor fluid input & output, monitor daily weight, assess for skin rash throughout therapy
Patient Teachings: take exactly as prescribed and same time everyday, monitor weight biweekly and report significant changes to HCP, changes positions slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension
ibuprofen (p/o)
ADVIL
Indication: pain, inflammation, fever reducer
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, active GI bleed or ulcers, severe HF, renal impairment, patients taking other NSAIDs
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal discomfort
Adverse Reactions: heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, GI bleeding
Nursing Considerations: assess pain before and 1-2 hours post-administration, assess for signs and symptoms of GI bleeding, assess for skin rashes
Patient Teachings: take as directed without exceeding recommended amount, avoid drinking alcohol, avoid driving may cause drowsiness, take with food, contact HCP if symptoms persist beyond 10 days or become worse
levothyroxine (p/o)
Indication: thyroid supplement for hypothyroidism, euthyroid goiters
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, myocardial, infarction, hyperthyroidism
Side Effects: vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, headache
Adverse Reactions: insomnia, tachycardia, arrhythmias, angina pectoris
Nursing Considerations: assess apical pulse and BP periodically throughout therapy, assess for tachycardia and chest pain, monitor thyroid function prior to and during therapy (TSH levels)
Patient Teachings: take medication at the same time each day, explain that this is a lifelong therapy
lisinopril (p/o)
ZESTRIL
Indication: hypertension, heart failure
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, previous angioedema with other ACE inhibitors
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry cough
Adverse Reactions: hypotension, impaired renal function
Nursing Considerations: monitor BP and pulse periodically throughout therapy, assess for signs of angioedema throughout therapy
Patient Teachings: take medication at same time each day, call doctor in case of rash/sore throat/fever, change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension, do not take if pregnant
loratidine (p/o)
CLARITIN
Indication: seasonal allergies, hives
Contraindications: hypersensitivity
Side Effects: drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth
Adverse Reactions: blurred vision, GI upset
Nursing Considerations: assess allergy symptoms, assess lung sounds and bronchial secretions
Patient Teachings: take drug exactly as directed, may cause drowsiness (avoid driving), avoid alcohol
losartan (p/o)
Indication: hypertension
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, bilateral renal artery stenosis
Side Effects: nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue
Adverse Reactions: chest pain, angioedema, hypotension, hypoglycemia
Nursing Considerations: assess patient for signs of edema, assess BP and pulse throughout therapy
Patient Teachings:
metformin (p/o)
Indication: type 2 diabetes
Contraindications: hypersensitivity, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe renal impairment
Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating
Adverse Reactions: lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia
Nursing Considerations: monitor for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, patients with severe renal impairment are at risk for lactic acidosis
Patient Teachings: take at the same time everyday, usually long-term therapy, take with prescribed diet and exercise