Pharmacology

Question 1

Diphenhydramine

What is the Routes & Use?

Answer 1

Route: PO, IV, IM

Use:
Antihistamine
->Sedative
->Prevention of an allergic response
->Prevention of nausea & Vomiting

Doctor will prescribe this medication to patients if they need to take a medication to which they are allergic (for example, blood, or IV contrast before a CT). Some travel nurses take this to sleep on planes.

Question 2

Drug: Cetirizine- Fexofenadine -Loratadine

Answer 2

Use:
->Antihistamine
->Common Colds
->Rhinitis

NCLEX TIPS: This will cause
Dry mouth
TACHYCARDIA.
Patients should take this medication on an empty stomach. It will also cause drowsiness. Do not give to breastfeeding women.

Question 3

DRUG: Beclomethasone, Fluticasone, Mometasone, Triamcinolone

Notices how they all end in:ONE

Answer 3

Route:Nasal sprays

USE:
->Rhinitis
->Chronic Asthma

NCLEX TIPS: All of these can cause oral fungal infections, hoarseness, and epistaxis.
The nurse should teach patients to rinse mouth after each use & seek regular peak flow monitoring.

Question 4

Analgesics

Drugs: Acetaminophen, Naproxen, NSAIDS, Aspirin

Answer 4

Uses: This medication treats mild to moderate pain, fever, arthritis

SAFETY POINT:
Acetaminophen-> Acetylcysteine is the antidote for an overdose

Naproxen-> Increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

These two medications have an anti-platelet use also ototoxicity risk is present.

Aspirin-> Reyes syndrome can occur if ASA is used for viral infections.

NCLEX TIPS: Acetominophen: Do not give to Clients with live failure;

These cause cause GI bleeding stop taking weeks before surgery DO not administer this medication with anticoagulants Take this medication with food.

Question 5

Opioid/ Narcotic

Drugs:
Morphine -
Hydromorphone-
Codeine-
Meperidine Hcl -
Oxycodone-

Answer 5

NCLEX TIPS: will cause respiratory depression Don’t give if breaths are under 10 .
Monitor for constipation
Addiction may occur with long term use
Take with food to prevent nausea

Safety tips:
Hydromorphone is many more times stronger than morphine.
Codeine is used as a cough suppressants
Meperidine increases intracranial pressure do not give for ICP.
Do Not give oxycodone to clients allergic to acetaminophen.

Question 6

Anticoagulants (Heparin)

What is the onset?
Short term or long term?
Routes?
Labs to watch?
Antidote?
Pregnancy safe?
Will this medication break down a clot?
Potential complications of the drug therapy?

Answer 6

Onset: Less than one hours

Shorterm

Routes: IV & SQ

Labs to watch: PTT should be 1.5-2.5 times the control

Antidote: Protamine sulfate

Pregnancy safe: Yes you can give for pregnancy

Will this medication break down clot: NO

Potential complications of the drug therapy : Heparin induced thrombocytopenia

Notes:

1)be carful some herbal medications can interfere with anticoagulants

2) Tell patients to stop taking two weeks before surgery.

3)Frequent blood draws will be needed during the beginning of treatment

Question 7

DRUG: Warfarin Anticoagulants

Onset?
Short term or long term?
Route?
Antidote?
Labs?
Pregnancy safe?
Potential complications of the drug therapy?

Answer 7

Onset: 4-10 days

Short term or Longterm: longterm

Route:PO Only

Labs: INR & PT INR should be 2-3

Antidote: Vitamin K

pregnancy safe: No do not give there is a baby in there!

Will this medication break down clot: NO

Potential complications of the drug therapy: Coumadin induced necrosis

Question 8

Drug: Enoxaparin

Indication?
Route?
Assessment?
Contraindications?
ReMar Notes?

Answer 8

Indication: Prevent deep vein thromboses (DVT)

Route: Subcutaneous injection or IV (less common)

Assessment: Medications should be clear with no particles or discoloration before injecting. Monitor for signs of bleeding.

Contraindications; Do not give if clients has a history of heparin induced thrombocytopenia patients should stop taking 24 hours before surgery. Do not administer with other blood thinners.

REMAR Notes: This is considered a low molecular weight herparin (LMWH)
The benefits of LMWH over Heparin:
-Once daily injections
-No lab monitoring
-This can be prescribed as outpatient therapy

Question 9

Anticonvulsants Drugs:

Phenobarbital : Phenytoin : Valproic Acid: Gabapentin

NCLEX TIPS about each drug?

Answer 9

Phenobarbital : Decreases BP and RESPIRATIONS, Vitamin D supplements may be needed.

Phenytoin: Do not give with food, do not take with oral birth control pills.

Valproic acid: hepatotoxic agent, watch for abdominal cramping.
And may cause suicidal thoughts.

Gabapentin: may cause memory problems. Do not administer with antacids. Will help with symptoms of restless leg syndrome.

In general, all anticonvulsants:
-> Can become toxic in the body system or cause dependency issues.
-> Cause drowsiness
->should not be taking with antacids, which will decrease absorption.
->Can elevate the blood glucose levels
-> May change the urine to a light ruster color, but it is not dangerous to the client
->will still allow the client to have a seizure despite being on medication.
->The client should be educated to wear medical ID bracelet at all times.
->Do not give any of these medications before electroconvulsive therapy.

Safety point: If the client is on anticonvulsants, Initiate seizure precautions!