Medications (quick class/action) Flashcards
Acetaminophen
Class:
-Analgesic/antipyretic
Action:
- Inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins which transmit pain signals and induce fever.
- Reduces pain by blocking the signals produced by prostaglandins.
Adenosine
Class:
-Antiarrythmic
Action:
-Slows electrical conduction through AV node, and interrupts re-entry pathway, converting SVT to NSR.
Albuterol
Class:
-Bronchodilator : Sympathomimetic (beta-2 specific)
Action:
- Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors.
- Produces bronchodilation, relieves bronchospasm, and reduces airway resistance.
Amiodorone Hydrochloride
Class:
-Antiarrhythmic
Action:
- Blocks sodium, potassium, and calcium channels in cardiac cells slowing conduction and prolongs repolarization.
- Has alpha and beta adrenergic blocking properties causing negative inotropic effects and reduces peripheral vascular resistance (afterload).
Aspirin
Class:
-Platelet aggregation inhibitor
Action:
- Inhibits normal tendency for platelets to accumulate inside injured or occluded coronary arteries, thereby improving blood flow through the vessels to better perfuse the heart.
- Blocks formation of Thromboxin A2.
Atropine
Class:
- Antiarrhythmic
- Anticholinergic
Action:
- Competes with acetylcholine for receptor sites blocking the PNS response at SA & AV nodes.
- Increases heart rate by increasing electrical conduction through the heart.
- Positive chronotropic properties with little or no inotropic effects.
- Inhibits secretions by decreasing PNS effect on bronchial, salivary, sweat, and GI glands.
Atrovent
Class:
-Bronchodilator : anticholinergic
Action:
- Antagonizes the action of acetylcholine, preventing the interaction of acetylcholine with muscarinic receptors in bronchial smooth muscle causing bronchodilation.
- Dries respiratory tract secretions.
Calcium Chloride
Class:
-Electrolyte
Action:
- Increases myocardial contractility.
- Increases ventricular automaticity.
- Reverses cardio-electric changes produced by hyperkalemia.
- Shifts potassium back into the cell to prevent intravascular hyperkalemia.
Charcoal
Class:
-Absorbent
Action:
- Binds and absorbs ingested toxins present in the GI tract.
- Inhibits intestinal absorption, preventing systemic toxicity.
Dextrose (D50/D10)
Class:
-Carbohydrate
Action:
-Increases blood glucose by providing a quick release of free sugar into the circulation.
Diphenhydramine
Class:
-Antihistamine
Action:
-Binds to histamine receptor sites blocking H1 and H2 receptors
>H1 causes bronchoconstriction, airway swelling, and
vasodilation.
>H2 causes secretion of gastric acid.
-Does not prevent histamine release.
Dopamine Hydrochloride
Class:
-Vasopressor: Sympathomimetic (both alpha and beta properties)
Action:
- At low and medium doses, selectively dilates blood vessels supplying the brain, kidneys, heart, and gastrointestinal tract.
- At medium to high doses, increases cardiac output by improving contractility and stroke volumem thereby increasing blood pressure.
- At high doses, causes vasoconstriction and increased heart rate.
Epinephrine
Class:
-Catecholamine: Sympathomimetic (both alpha and beta effects)
Action: -On the bronci: bronchodilation (beta 2) -On the peripheral vasculature : vasoconstriction (alpha) -On the heart: >Increased heart rate (chronotropic) >Increased contractility (inotropic) >Increased AV conduction (dromotropic) >Increased automaticity (dromotropic)
Fentanyl Citrate
Class:
-Analgesic: Opioid Agonist
Action:
-Potent narcotic analgesic and sedative.
Glucagon
Class:
-Antihypoglycemis: Pancreatic hormone
Action:
- Increases blood glucose by converting glycogen stored in the liver to glucose.
- Inhibits synthesis of glycogen from glucose.
