Pharm Kaplan Flashcards
Digitalis toxicity
Too much digoxin in the blood; N/V; See halos, tachycardic
Carbamazepine
(Tegretol);
for seizures
Lorazepam
(Ativan); Benzodiazepine; Anxiety, convulsions, pre-opsidation, alcohol withdrawl
Signs and symptoms of IV infiltraion
Edema, cold, redness, swelling
Iron supplements
Used to treat anemia; Can cause constipation, black tarry stools; IM injection with a Z track method (if you cannot give orally, give IV but if no other route, IM)
Zidovudine
(Retrovir); Anti-viral drug, treatment of HIV
Wellbutrin
Atypcial antidepressant; Too much in the blood stream can cause seizures and CNS stimulant defects
Aluminum hydroxide
Antacid; Can cause constipation and high magnesium levels
Warfarin
(Coumadin); Antidote for Warfarin is Vitamin K; Warfarin is an anticoagulant so watch for bleeding; Patient teaching point – educate where they find Vitamin K in foods (leafy greens, veggies, etc.); Labs – PT and INR
Blood transfusion reaction
Signs and symptoms include fever, chills, tachycardia, hypotension, patient feels flushed
Nitroglycerin
Organic nitrate; Causes venous dilation; Used for chest pain; Side effect is a major headache; Lowers blood pressure
How do you do a Z track method?
Pull skin tight back, inject medication, pull needle out, let skin go
Alendronate
(Fosamax); Bisphosphonate; Treats and prevents osteoperosis; Complication for long term therapies is a femur fracture
Heparin
Anticoagulant; Given to treat stroke, DVT prevntion; Do not give to anyone with a GI bleed (or any bleeding problems such as low clotting factors); Labs – APPT
Ace inhibitors
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; Treats hypertension; Main adverse effect is a cough; (usually these drugs end in “pril”)
Prednisone
Steroid used for inflammation; Take with food, it can cause GI upset; Increases blood sugar; Has to be tapered off (do not stop abruptly); Puts you at a high risk for infection
Chemotherapy
Used to treat cancer; Given in cycles (3 weeks straight then rest); Common adverse effects – alopecia, anemia, bleeding, fatigue, neutropenia (low WBC, neutrophils); Decreases patients immune system and puts them at high risk for infection
Lispro
(Humulog); Fast acting insulin; Rapid onset of 15 mins of less; Short duration or 4-8 hours; Given subcutaneously; Patient needs to eat 15 minutes after it is given
Gingko
Used to improve memory and cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients; May help with peripheral arterial disease; Increases clotting time (puts patient at high risk for bleeding)
Captopril
Ace inhibitor prototype; Angioedema and cough are side effects
Potassium supplements
Given for hypokalema (low K+); Too much K+ is hyperkalemia and too much can lead to cardia arrhythmias; Normal K+ level is 3.5-5.0; IV infusion can cause phlebitis (redness, swelling around IV site) – patient should be on telemetry or EKG monitored
Pilocarpine
(Isapto); Cholinergic drug for glaucoma; Reduces intraocular pressure; Comes as an eye drop or ointment; Adverse effects – burning, painful eye muscle movements, photophobia, floaters, poor vision in low light; Tell patient to avoid sunlight and night driving; Put pressure on the lachrymal sac for one minute after giving
Morphine sulphate
Opioid agonist; Relieves pain by binding to receptors in the brain; Be careful when giving to elderly, it can make them loopy, start with low doses; Causes CNS depression, respiratory depression, constipation, and N/V
Cimetidine
(Tagamet); Histamine II receptors antagonist; Used to prevent peptic ulcer disease, GERD, and stress ulcers; Adverse effects – diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, confusion
