Presentation Drugs Flashcards
what is dexamethasone (Decadron) and what does it do?
Corticosteroid: reduces inflammation and suppresses immune response
what is methylprednisolone (Solumedrol) and what does it do?
Corticosteroid: reduces inflammation and immune system activity
what is prednisone and what does it do?
Corticosteroid: reduces inflammation and suppresses immune system
what are the 5 S’s of steroids?
the common side effects associated with steroids which are:
1) Sick - easier to get sick
2) Sad - causes depression
3) Sex - decreased libido
4) Salt - retains more, causes weight gain
5) Sugar - raises blood sugar
what are nursing considerations?
special things to remember and consider before giving the medication
what are the nursing considerations for dexamethasone (Decadron)(3)?
1) assess for infections before starting
2) monitor blood glucose levels
3) Taper dosage slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms
what are the nursing considerations for methylprednisolone (Solumedrol)(3)?
1) monitor for signs of infection
2) watch for signs of fluid retention
3) monitor blood glucose levels especially in diabetics
what are the nursing considerations associated with Prednisone(4)?
1) monitor blood glucose levels
2) taper off gradually
3) teach patient about infection risk
4) monitor for mood changes
what is acetaminophen (Tylenol) and what does it do(2)?
1) Analgesic - treats mild pain
2) antipyretic - reduces fever
what are common side effects associated with acetaminophen?
liver toxicity with overdose
what are nursing considerations of acetaminophen(2)?
1) max dose = 4g/day
2) assess liver function in chronic users
what are NSAIDS (Ibprofen, Asprin) and what do they do(2)?
1) analgesic - treats moderate pain
2) anti-inflammatory - reduces inflammation
what are some common side effects of NSAIDS(3)?
1) GI ulcers
2) kidney damage
3) bleeding risk
what are nursing considerations associated with NSAIDS(3)?
1) monitor for signs of GI distress
2) Use caution in renal impairment
3) take with food to reduce GI irritation
what are opioids (Morphine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone) and what do they do?
Analgesics - treats severe pain; blocks receptors in the brain that sense pain
what are common side effects associated with opioids(3)?
1) constipation
2) drowsiness
3) euphoria
what are nursing considerations of opioids(4)?
1) monitor respiratory rate
2) watch for signs of constipation and administer PRN laxatives
3) watch for signs of overdose (RR<12/min)
4) prevent constipation with stool softeners
what is glipizide and what does it do?
antidiabetic medication - extended released PO tablet given for type 2 diabetes to help control blood glucose levels
what are nursing considerations associated with glipizide?
1) hold if hypoglycemic
2) give 30 minutes before a meal
what is the onset of rapid acting insulin (Novolog, Humalog)
15 minutes
what is the onset for regular/short acting insulin?
30-60 minutes
what is the onset for intermediate acting insulin?
1-2hrs
what is the onset and duration of long acting insulin?
onset: 3-4hrs
duration: up to 24 hours
what is glucagon and what does it do?
antidiabetic medication - hormone that increases blood sugar in emergencies
what are the nursing considerations associated with glucagon?
emergencies medication given to raise blood sugar via IM or PO
what are the symptoms of hypoglycemia(6)?
1) confused
2) sleepy
3) tremors
4) headache
5) cold sweats
6) balance issues
what are the rapid acting insulins?
1) Novolog
2) Humalog
3) Apidra
what are the short acting insulins?
Regular
what are the intermediate insulins?
NPH
what are the long acting insulins(2)?
1) glargine (Lantus)
2) detemir (Levemir)
what is Colace (Docusate sodium)?
stool softener
what are common side effects of docusate sodium?
stomach cramps
what are nursing considerations associated with docusate sodium(2)?
1) encourage increased fluid intake
2) monitor for adequate BMs
what is Atropine/Diphenoxylate?
anti-diarrheal medication
what are common side effects of Atrophine/Diphenoxylate(3)?
1) drowsiness
2) constipation
3) dry mouth
what are nursing considerations associated with Atropine/diphenoxylate?
assess for dehydration
what is Bisacodyl?
laxative
what are common side effects of bisacodyl(3)?
1) stomach cramping
2) diarrhea
3) dehydration
what are nursing considerations of bisacodyl(2)?
1) do not give before bedtime to prevent nocturia
2) monitor for dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
what is metoprolol (Lopressor) and what does it do?
Beta-blocker - reduces blood pressure to prevent cardiac arrest and hypertension
what are common side effects of metoprolol(4)?
1) bradycardia
2) hypotension
3) fatigue
4) wheezing
what are the indications for metoprolol(7)?
1) hypertension
2) MI
3) angina
4) A-fib/A-flutter
5) tremors
6) migraines
7) HF
what are the nursing considerations of metoprolol(3)?
1) monitor HR
2) check BP before administration
3) use caution with asthma
what is hydralazine and what does it do?
vasodilator - relieves HTN by opening vessels and reducing pressure
what are common side effects of hydralazine(3)?
1) hypotension
2) tachycardia
3) dizziness
what are the nursing considerations for hydralazine(2)?
1) monitor BP frequently
2) assess for signs of fluid retention
what is furosemide and what does it do?
diuretic - prevents reabsorption of Na, K, and Cl; increases urine output
what is furosemide used for(2)?
1) edema
2) HF
what are the common side effects of furosemide(6)?
1) diuresis
2) orthostatic hypotension
3) dizziness
4) dehydration
5) tachycardia
6) low BP
what are the nursing considerations associated with furosemide(3)?
1) dont give before bed (nocturia)
2) monitor electrolytes (especially potassium)
3) monitor for orthostatic hypotension
what is digoxin and what does it do?
cardiac glycoside - increases heart contractility
what is digoxin used to treat(2)?
1) HF
2) arrythmias
what are common side effects of digoxin?
1) hypotension
2) bradycardia
3) nausea
4) visual disturbances
what are nursing considerations associated with digoxin?
1) hold if HR is below 60 (check AP for 1 minute)
2) check for digoxin toxicity
what is warfarin and what does it do?
anticoagulant (blood thinner) - reduces occurrence of blood clots
what are common side effects of warfarin(3)?
1) bleeding
2) bruising
3) GI upset
what are nursing considerations associated with warfarin(3)?
1) monitor INR levels 1/2
2) teach patients about restricting vitamin K from their diet
3) use caution with other anticoagulants
what is atorvastatin and what does it do?
statin - inhibits synthesis of LDL
what are common side effects associated with atorvastatin(3)?
1) muscle pain
2) liver toxicity
3) GI upset
what are the nursing considerations associated with atorvastatin(3)?
1) monitor liver enzymes
2) assess for muscle pain or weakness
3) take at night for maximum efficiency
what is amoxicillin and what does it do?
antibacterial - works on pneumonia and step-throat
what are common side effects of amoxicillin(3)?
1) GI upset
2) allergic reactions
3) rash
what are nursing considerations associated with amoxicillin?
1) complete full course of therapy
2) assess for allergic reactions
what is fluconazole and what does it do?
antifungal - treats ringworm, thrush, yeast infections, athletes foot
what are the common side effects associated with fluconazole(3)?
1) GI upset
2) headache
3) liver toxicity
what are the nursing considerations associated with fluconazole(2)?
1) monitor liver function
2) assess for improvement in symptoms of fungal infections
what is acyclovir and what does it do?
antiviral - treats varicella, herpes
what are the common side effects of acyclovir(3)?
1) GI upset
2) headache
3) renal toxicity
what are the nursing considerations associated with acyclovir(3)?
1) hydrate patient well
2) monitor kidney function
3) instruct patient to complete the full course
