Unit 4: Drug cards Flashcards
💊 ACE Inhibitors (-prils) – What do they do?
Treats HBP, heart failure, kidney disease
✅ Examples: Lisinopril, Enalapril, Ramipril
✅ Mechanism: Blocks angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) → prevents angiotensin II formation → vasodilation & reduced fluid retention
ACE Inhibitors (-prils):
Indications + Side Effects
✅ Indications: Heart Failure, Hypertension, Post-MI, Diabetic Nephropathy
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Hypotension (especially 1st dose)
➡ Dry cough (bradykinin buildup)
➡ Hyperkalemia
➡ Angioedema (rare but serious!)
ACE Inhibitors Nursing Considerations
➡ Monitor BP, potassium levels
➡ Avoid potassium supplements/salt substitutes
➡ First dose effect – take at night to avoid dizziness
💊 Beta-Blockers (-lols) – What do they do?
Mechanism, Indications
✅ Examples: Metoprolol, Carvedilol, Atenolol
✅ Mechanism: Blocks beta-adrenergic receptors, reducing HR & contractility, lowering myocardial oxygen demand
✅ Indications: Heart Failure, Hypertension, Angina, Post-MI, Atrial Fibrillation
Beta- Blockers (-lols): Side effects, Nursing Considerations
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Bradycardia, hypotension
➡ Fatigue, dizziness
➡ Bronchospasm (avoid in asthma!)
➡ Masking of hypoglycemia in diabetics
✅ Nursing Considerations:
➡ Check HR & BP before giving (Hold if HR <60 or SBP <90!)
➡ Do not stop abruptly – can cause rebound hypertension or angina
💊 Diuretics – How do they help in Heart Failure?
Indications
✅ Examples & Mechanism:
➡ Loop diuretics (Furosemide, Bumetanide) – Block Na+/K+/Cl- reabsorption in Loop of Henle → Potent diuresis
➡ Thiazide diuretics (Hydrochlorothiazide, Chlorthalidone) – Blocks Na+ absorption in DCT, milder effect
➡ Potassium-sparing diuretics (Spironolactone, Eplerenone) – Blocks aldosterone, prevents K+ loss
✅ Indications: Heart Failure, Hypertension, Edema
Diuretics: Side Effects, Nursing Considerations
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Dehydration, hypotension
➡ Electrolyte imbalances (Hypokalemia with loop/thiazide, Hyperkalemia with spironolactone)
✅ Nursing Considerations:
➡ Monitor electrolytes (K+, Na+), daily weights, BP
➡ Give in the morning to prevent nocturia!
💊 Digoxin (Cardiac Glycoside) – Why is it used?
✅ Mechanism: Inhibits Na+/K+ ATPase → increases intracellular calcium → stronger heart contractions (positive inotrope), slows HR
✅ Indications: Heart Failure (HFrEF), Atrial Fibrillation
Digoxin- Side effects, Toxicity Signs, Nursing Considerations
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Bradycardia, arrhythmias
➡ GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
➡ Visual disturbances (yellow-green halos, blurred vision)
✅ Toxicity Signs: Confusion, arrhythmias, N/V, visual halos
✅ Nursing Considerations:
➡ Check HR before giving! (Hold if HR <60 bpm)
➡ Monitor digoxin levels (therapeutic: 0.5-2.0 ng/mL)
➡ Antidote: Digibind (Digoxin immune Fab)
💊 Vasodilators – How do they reduce Heart Failure symptoms?
✅ Examples: Hydralazine, Isosorbide Dinitrate, Nitroprusside
✅ Mechanism: Directly relaxes blood vessels, reducing afterload & preload, improving cardiac output
✅ Indications: Heart Failure, Hypertension, Angina, Hypertensive Crisis
Vasodilators: Side Effects, Nursing Considerations
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Hypotension, dizziness
➡ Headache, flushing
➡ Reflex tachycardia
✅ Nursing Considerations:
➡ Monitor BP, educate on orthostatic hypotension
➡ Nitrates: Avoid with sildenafil (Viagra) – can cause fatal hypotension!
💊 Epinephrine – What is it used for?
Mechanism: Stimulates alpha & beta receptors → increases HR, BP, bronchodilation
✅ Indications: Anaphylaxis, Cardiac Arrest, Shock, Severe Asthma Attack
Enipephrine- Side Effects, Nursing Consideration
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmias
➡ Tremors, anxiety, headache
➡ Hyperglycemia
✅ Nursing Considerations:
➡ Monitor vitals, cardiac rhythm
➡ Educate patients on EpiPen use for anaphylaxis
💊 Antibiotics for Septic Shock – What’s Used?
✅ Examples: Vancomycin, Piperacillin-Tazobactam (Zosyn), Meropenem
✅ Indications: Sepsis, Bacterial Infections
Antibiotics: Side Effects, Nursing Considerations
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Nephrotoxicity (Vancomycin – monitor trough levels!)
➡ GI upset, diarrhea
➡ Allergic reactions (watch for anaphylaxis with penicillins!)
✅ Nursing Considerations:
➡ Monitor renal function (BUN, Cr)
➡ Administer over recommended infusion times to prevent toxicity
💊 Iron Supplements – When are they needed?
✅ Examples: Ferrous sulfate, Iron dextran (IV)
✅ Indications: Iron Deficiency Anemia, Chronic Blood Loss
Iron Supplements- Side Effects, Nursing Considerations
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Constipation, dark stools
➡ GI irritation (nausea, epigastric pain)
➡ Iron toxicity (rare but dangerous!)
✅ Nursing Considerations:
➡ Take with Vitamin C for better absorption
➡ Avoid taking with calcium or dairy (reduces absorption)
➡ Stools may turn black (normal!)
💊 Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) – Why is it given?
Indications, Side Effects, Nursing Considerations
✅ Indications: Pernicious Anemia, B12 Deficiency, Neuropathy
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Injection site reactions (for IM form)
➡ Hypokalemia (due to RBC production increasing K+ use)
✅ Nursing Considerations:
➡ IM injections needed for patients with pernicious anemia (no intrinsic factor)
➡ Monitor B12 levels, neurological symptoms
💊 Nitroglycerin (Nitrates) – What does it do?
- Indications, Side Effects, Nursing tips
✅ Relaxes blood vessels → Reduces chest pain (angina)
✅ Indications: 🚑 Angina, MI, Heart Failure
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Headache (common!)
➡ Dizziness, hypotension
➡ Flushing
✅ Nursing Tips:
➡ Sublingual tablets: 1 every 5 min, max 3 doses – Call 911 if pain continues!
➡ No Viagra! Can cause fatal hypotension.
💊 Statins (Cholesterol Meds) – What do they do?
✅ Examples: Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, Rosuvastatin
✅ Blocks liver from making cholesterol → Lowers LDL, raises HDL
✅ Indications: 🩸 High cholesterol, Heart disease prevention
Statins- Side Effects, Nursing Tips
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Muscle pain (rhabdomyolysis – serious!)
➡ Liver damage (monitor liver function tests!)
✅ Nursing Tips:
➡ Take at night (cholesterol is made at night!)
➡ Avoid grapefruit juice (↑ drug levels = risk of toxicity)
💊 Heparin (Anticoagulant) – What’s it for? Indications, Side Effects
✅ Prevents blood clots! (Does NOT break existing ones)
✅ Indications: 🩸 DVT, PE, Stroke prevention
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Bleeding (check gums, urine, stool!)
➡ Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT – low platelets!)✅ Prevents blood clots! (Does NOT break existing ones)
✅ Indications: 🩸 DVT, PE, Stroke prevention
Heparin Nursing Tips
➡ Monitor PTT levels (normal: 25-35 sec, therapeutic: 1.5-2x normal)
➡ Antidote: Protamine sulfate!
💊 Warfarin (Coumadin) – How is it different from Heparin?
✅ Oral blood thinner – Takes days to work!
✅ Indications: 🩸 DVT, A-fib, Stroke prevention
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Bleeding risk (monitor INR levels!)
➡ Bruising, GI bleeding
✅ Nursing Tips:
➡ Monitor INR (Therapeutic: 2-3)
➡ Vitamin K is the antidote! (Avoid green leafy veggies)
➡ Use soft toothbrush, electric razor (reduce bleeding risk!)
💊 Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) – What’s different?
Side Effects, Tips
✅ Example: Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
✅ Longer half-life, fewer lab checks needed
✅ Given as a SUB-Q injection (abdomen only!)
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Bleeding risk
➡ Pain/bruising at injection site
✅ Nursing Tips:
➡ Do NOT rub injection site (prevents bruising)
➡ Monitor for bleeding (black/tarry stool, bruising)
💊 Clopidogrel (Plavix) – Why is it used?
Indications, Side Effects, Tips
✅ Prevents platelets from sticking → Stops clots!
✅ Indications: Stroke prevention, Post-stent placement, CAD
✅ Side Effects:
➡ Bleeding risk
➡ GI upset
✅ Nursing Tips:
➡ Hold before surgery (risk of excessive bleeding!)
➡ Monitor for bruising, black stools, bleeding gums
