Pharmacology - Drugs to Memorize

Question 1

acetaminophen

Answer 1

• class: antipyretic, non-opioid analgesic
• mechanism: inhibit prostaglandin synthesis to decrease pain and fever
• NO significant anti-inflammatory properties
• use for mild-moderate pain, fever
• metabolized by liver, excreted by kidneys
• antidote: acetylcysteine
• nursing assessments: pain, fever, liver and kidney function, any increased risk for toxicity? (alcohol?)

Question 2

ibuprofen

Answer 2

• class: NSAID, antipyretic, non-opioid analgesic
• mechanism: inhibit prostaglandin synthesis
• use for mild-moderate pain, fever, inflammation
• nursing assessments: pain, fever, ROM/inflammation, liver and kidney function, GI bleeding (increased risk with alcohol use)

Question 3

acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)

Answer 3

• class: antipyretic, NSAID, non-opioid analgesic
• mechanism: inhibit prostaglandin synthesis to decrease pain, fever, also decreases platelet aggregation
• contraindicated in kids, associated with Reye’s syndrome
• use for mild-moderate pain, fever, inflammation (not generally used for pain because of SE)
• metabolized by liver, excreted by kidneys
• will increase bleeding time
• nursing assessments: inflammation, pain, fever, liver and kidney function, bleeding (gums, stool, urine, labs), can cause GI upset

Question 4

opioid analgesics (codeine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine)

Answer 4

• class: opioid analgesic
• mechanism: bind to opiate receptors in the CNS to decrease pain
• will also decrease GI motility, suppress cough reflex, cause general CNS depression
• use for moderate-severe pain
• nursing assessments: pain, GI function (constipation? nausea or vomiting?), sedation level (level of consciousness, respiratory rate, blood pressure), GU function (urinary retention?)
• antidote: naloxone
• potential for abuse

Question 5

naloxone

Answer 5

• class: opioid antagonist
• mechanism: blocks opiate receptors in CNS to block binding of opioids
• nursing assessments: level of consciousness, respiratory rate, blood pressure, pain (will reverse analgesic affect of opioids)
• only lasts for about an hour, may have to readminister depending on drug you are trying to counteract