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
Lipitor
Given to treat high cholesterol, lipidemia, and to prevent cardiovascular disease; Side effects – nausea, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal cramps; Pregnancy X category; Monitor liver function (AST, ALT); Staten drug – all Staten drugs can injure muscle tissue, this causes weakness and achiness which can be life threatening
Naproxen
NSAID; Given to decrease pain; Can cause bronchospasm, GI bleeding, nausea
Gentamicin
Aminoglycoside bacericidal agent = antibiotic (kills bacteria); Treats gram negative microorganisms; Can damage the kidneys and ears (nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity)
Lithium
Mood stabilizer given to decrease manic episodes; Lithium levels should not be more than 1.5; Alcohol and diuretics can increase the effects and the risk of dehydration and toxicity; Adverse effects – metallic taste, hand tremors, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, muscle weakness, weight gain
Ioniazid
(INH); The most common anti-TB drug given with other anti-TB drugs; Careful giving to patients with hepatic impairment (drug is hard on the liver); Adverse effects – hepatic toxicity, peripheral neuropathy; Alcohol increases the risk of liver damage with this drug
Any TB drug…
9-12 months regimen and they must be compliant so most patients will be under direct observation therapy (go in, take meds, go home)
Glucocorticosteroid
Steroid used to increase blood sugar; Used to treat inflammatory conditions; Patient may have high risk for infection; Do not stop abruptly
Kayexalate
Given to bring down high potassium levels; Oral liquid that binds to potassium and is excreted out
Ampicillin
Penicillin drug – inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis (stops it from reproducing); Treats gram positive bacteria; Adverse effects – allergies; Side effects – GI upset, abdominal pain; Before doctor orders they will do a CNS (culture and sensitivity) test
Dilantin
The most common epileptic drug; Adverse effects – nausea, drowsiness, gingival hyperplasia (overgrowth of gums); Alcohol will increase Dilantin levels in the blood
Metformin
Used with diabetic patients; Reduces production of glucose by the liver; Adverse effects – lactic acidosis, dizziness, N/V; If given with glucocorticosteroids it will increase blood sugar
Digoxin + Furosemide = _____
Decrease of K+; these drugs together will cause immense hypokalemia; seen often in CHF patients
Furosemide
Loop diuretic; Used for heart failure and hypertension;Can cause hypokalemia; Monitor patient’s weight, urine output, BP, and K+ levels; If given by IV push slow (if pushed fast it can cause permanent deafness)
Albuterol
Adrenergic; Given as a rescue inhaler; Used to prevent and treat bronchospasm; Adverse effects – tachycardia, palpitations, tremors, anxiety; Teach patients to limit caffeine intake
Interacoated medications
Coated down so it can pass through stomach and be broken down in the small intestine; Given to reduce GI upset
Eye drops
Pull lower eyelid down, drop onto conjunctiva; For 2 or 3 drops wait 5 minutes between each drop; Do not touch tip of the bottle to the eye
Baclofen
Used to treat muscle spasms; Do not stop abruptly (can cause hallucinations); NO ALCOHOL; Side effects – drowsiness, fatigue, weakness, confusion
Clonidine
Decreases cardiac output by stimulating the alpha receptors; Used for hypertension; Works well with patients going through withdrawl (drug or alcohol) because it decreases BP;Do not stop abruptly; Adverse effects – orthostatic hypertension, fluid retention
Salicylate poisoning
(Aspirin poisoning); Can be associated with chronic use; Signs and symptoms – dizziness, confusion, tinnitus (ringing in ears); Aspirin toxicity and tinnitus go hand in hand
Oxytocin
Induces labor contractions, causes uterus to contract; Helps prevent post-partum hemorrhage; Adverse effects – cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, uterus rupture
Fentanyl
Stronger than morphine; Used for pain management; Given IV or as a path (if patch rotate sites, lasts for 3 days); Side effects – sedation, respiratory depression, constipation
Atenolol
Beta blocker; Reduces cardiac workload; Lowers BP; Side effects – bradycardia or tachycardia, dysrhythmias, bronchospasms, dizziness
Nifedipine
Calcium channel blocker; Used for hypertension and angina; Monitor vital signs; Side effects – dizziness, headache, flushing, nervousness, edema
Methotrexate
Anti-neoplastic (cancer drug); Monitor renal and hepatic function, teach patients good oral care; NO ALCOHOL; Side effects – oral or GI ulceration, liver damage, bone marrow suppression (high risk for infection), alopecia, diarrhea
Haldol
Anti-psychotic; Highly potent; Side effects – hypotension, extra pyramidal effects (seudoparkinsonism, act like they have Parkinsons but they don’t), involuntary movements
Synthroid
Thyroid replacement for hypothyroidism; Needs to be taken in the morning 1 hour before meals; Tell patients to report palpitations or shortness of breath; Side effects – nervousness, tremors, tachycardia, insomnia
Cogentin
Anticholinergic; Given with other anti-Parkinson’s drugs; Treats tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements); Contraindicated in glaucoma; Adverse effects – disorientation, hallucinations, memory loss, high doses can cause dry mouth and blurry vision
Rifampin
Anti-TB drug; Adverse effects – GI upset, skin rashes, hepatoxicity, acute renal failure
Benadryl
First generation H-1 receptor antagonist; Used for allergies, motion sickness, insomnia; Side effects – drowsiness
Risperdal
Antipsychotic; Used for treatment of acute mania or mixed episodes (bipolar); Adverse effects – weight gain, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, tardive dyskinesia, photosensitivity
When mixing insulin…
Clear to cloudy; Clear = short lasting, normal (Lantis); Cloudy = long lasting, NPH
