Medication Abbreviations

Question 1

Meds ending in ‘-pril’

Answer 1

ACE inhibitors
* lowers BP by dilating blood vessels
* reduces the hearts workload

Considerations
* monitor heart rate and BP
* monitor kidney function & K+ levels

“lisinoPRIL”

Question 2

Meds ending in ‘-cycline’

Answer 2

Tetracyclines
* treats bacterial infections
* broad spectrum antibiotics

Considerations
* avoid dairy products, antacids, iron supplements
* take with a full glass of water
* do not use in patients who are breastfeeding
* monitor liver and kidney function

“doxyCYCLINE”

Question 3

Meds ending in ‘-cillin’

Answer 3

Penicillin antibiotics
* used to treat bacterial infections

Considerations
* monitor for signs of super infections such as C-diff and yeast infections
* monitor for allergic reaction; hives etc.

Question 4

Meds ending in ‘-dipine’

Answer 4

Calcium Channel Blockers
* lowers BP by relaxing blood vessels therefore increasing blood supply & reducing hearts workload

Considerations
* monitor BP & heart rate
* monitor weight
* assess for signs of heart failure

“amloDIPINE”

Question 5

Meds ending in ‘-prazole’

Answer 5

Proton Pump Inhibitors
* anti-ulcer medications (GERD, peptic ulcer disease)
* reduces gastric acid production

Considerations
* proper administration: before meals, swallowed whole
* monitor for signs of superinfections such as diarrhea (C-diff)

“lansoPRAZOLE”

Question 6

Meds ending in ‘-floxacin’

Answer 6

Fluoroquinolones
* broad spectrum antibiotics that treat bacterial infections

Considerations
* ensure fluid intake of 1500-2000 ml per day
* avoid direct sunlight
* monitor for tendon pain, swelling or inflammation

CONTRAINDICATIONS
* patients with CNS disorders
* patients with myasthenia gravis

“ciproFLOXACIN”

Question 7

Meds ending in ‘-mycin’

Answer 7

Aminoglycosides
* broad spectrum antibiotics that treat bacterial infections
* GNATS (gentamicin, neomycin, amikacin, tobramycin, streptomycin)

Considerations
* monitor for signs of poor renal function; decreased urine output & ^ BUN, GFR, creatinine
* monitor for auditory changes

Question 8

Meds ending in ‘-olol’

Answer 8

Beta Blockers
* reduce BP by slowing the heart & myocardial contractility
* commonly given for hypertension / CHF

Considerations
* monitor for *bradycardia & hypotension *
* monitor hypokalemia
* monitor for hypoglycemia in diabetics
* take with food

CONTRAINDICATED
* patients with 2nd or 3rd degree heart block

“metoprOLOL”

Question 9

Meds ending in ‘-lone’/’-sone’

Answer 9

Corticosteroids
* anti-inflammatory meds

Considerations
* Reduce sodium intake, increase calcium
* monitor for…
* hyperglycemia
* GI bleeds
* Weight gain
* signs of fungal infection; in the mouth

CONTRAINDICATIONS
* diabetes mellitus / hyperglycemia
* osteoporosis
* current fungal infection

‘predniSONE’
‘dexamethaSONE’

Question 10

Meds ending in ‘-parin’

Answer 10

Anticoagulant / Antithrombotic
* blood thinners for patients at risk for clots

Considerations
* monitor for signs of bleeding; excessive bruising
* monitor coagulation factors if on warfarin or heparin

“daltePARIN”

Question 11

Heparin vs. Warfarin

Answer 11

Heparin works faster than warfarin

Heparin
* works by inhibiting thrombin and fibrin
* short acting, IV / SC
* monitored with aPTT values

Warfarin
* functions as a vitamin k antagonist; vitamin k regulates the production of cofactors
* long acting, PO
* monitored with PT/INR values, minimally

Question 12

Meds ending in ‘-pramine’

Answer 12

Tricyclic Antidepressant
* treats depression by inhibiting reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine

Considerations
* monitor for BP changes
* pts may have dry mouth / eyes
* appetite maybe affected

“chlomiPRAMINE”

Question 13

Meds ending in ‘-sartan’

Answer 13

Angiotensin-II Receptor Blockers
* lowers BP by relaxing blood vessels and stopping constriction
* may be used to treat heart failure

Considerations
* monitor BP, heart rate / rhythm
* daily weight
* monitor K+ level, renal function

“loSARTAN”

Question 14

Meds ending in ‘-statin’

Answer 14

Anti-lipidemics
* reduces LDL cholesterol & lowers risks of cardiovascular disease

Considerations
* monitor liver and kidney function
* monitor for symptoms of liver injury; jaundice

CONTRAINDICATIONS
* bowel obstruction
* triglyceride level above 500 mg/dL

“atorvaSTATIN”

Question 15

Meds ending in ‘-tadine’

Answer 15

Antihistamines (some antivirals)
* treats allergy symptoms, stomach problems, and colds by blocking the effects of histamine

Considerations
* drowsiness is common, avoid other CNS depressants
* common side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, or urinary retention

“loraTADINE”

Question 16

Meds ending in ‘-thiazide’

Answer 16

Thiazide Diuretics
* reduces cardiovascular congestion & edema from CHF
* lowers BP
* HOW? By increasing fluid AND potassium excreted by the kidneys

Considerations
* monitor BP
* monitor for hypokalemia; lethal arrhythmias, lethargy, leg cramps, limp muscles, shallow breaths, constipation
* monitor renal function

“hydrochloroTHIAZIDE”

Question 17

Meds ending in ‘-ridone’

Answer 17

Atypical antipsychotic
* treat behaviours by blocking effects of serotonin and some dopamine
* typical antipsychotics do not work
* given for schizophrenia

Considerations
* monitor for hyperglycemic, hyperlipidemia, weight gain when starting
* takes weeks to obtain desired effects

“RispeRIDONE”

Question 18

Meds ending in ‘-zolam’ &
‘-azepam’

Answer 18

Benzodiazepines
* treats anxiety

Considerations
* prolonged use may lead to physical dependence

“medaZOLAM”
“lorAZEPAM”

Question 19

Meds ending in ‘-osin’

Answer 19

a1 antagonist
* lowers BP = treats hypertenstion and BPH by inhibiting smooth muscle contraction

Considerations
* monitor BP, may cause orthostatic hypertension
* may cause CNS depression
* avoid using other alpha blockers

“terazOSIN”

Question 20

Meds beginning with ‘cef/ceph-‘

Answer 20

Cephalosporin Antibiotics
* treats bacterial infections

Considerations
* monitor for superinfections
* monitor for allergic reactions
* monitor renal function
* bleeding risk

“CEFtriaxone”

Question 22

Meds ending with ‘-vir’

Answer 22

Usually antivirals

“acycloVIR”

Question 23

Meds ending with ‘-actone’

Answer 23

Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
* reduces cardiovascular congestion & edema from CHF
* lowers BP
* HOW? by increasing the fluid excreted by the kidneys while retaining K+ in the body

Considerations
* urine output will increase, avoid giving at night
* monitor for hyperkalemia; heart palpitations, arrhythmia, N&V, abdominal / chest pain, muscle weakness, diarrhea
* monitor renal function
* monitor BP

“spironolACTONE”

Question 24

Meds ending in ‘-ase’

Answer 24

Thrombolytics
* ‘clot busters’
* retore blood flow to an obstructed area by breaking down clots that cause heart attacks or strokes

Considerations
* ensure patient is on cardiac monitor
* know last time patient was seen normal; only effective within 4 hours of symptom onset
* monitor BP and perform neuro assessments q15m during infusion

CONTRAINDICATIONS
* intracranial hemorrhage / aneurysm
* history of internal bleeding

“streptokinASE alteplASE” (tPA)

Question 25

Dimenhydrinate, metoclopramide, ondansetron

Answer 25

Common Antiemetic Meds
Also meds ending in ‘-azine’
* treats nausea and vomitting

Question 26

Meds ending with ‘-caine’

Answer 26

Local Anesthetics
* prevents the transmission of nerve impulses / pain without loss of conciousness

Considerations
* monitor BP and cardiac monitor if given IV
* monitor neurological status
* do not apply to open wounds

CONTRAINDICATIONS
* do not use in patients with severe heart block

“lidoCAINE”