Unit 3 Exam Practice - Nursing Pharmacology

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering endocrine medications, reproductive hormones, and diabetes management based on the Unit 3 exam review guide.

Estrogens / Estradiol / Conjugated Estrogens

Hormones used for menopause therapy; associated with a high risk of thromboembolic events and should not be used with alcohol or smoking.

Thromboembolic events

A major testable risk associated with estrogen, progesterone, and birth control, commonly referred to as blood clots.

Raloxifene

An estrogen agonist/SERM-type medication used for osteoporosis that acts like estrogen in the bone to prevent bone breakdown by osteoclasts.

Norethindrone

A progesterone birth control pill that suppresses Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) to prevent ovulation.

Hypogonadism

A condition where the gonads (testes in males, ovaries in females) do not produce enough sex hormones.

Oxandrolone

An anabolic steroid used for hypogonadism or muscle loss from severe burns; carries a risk for hepatotoxicity and is contraindicated in patients with cirrhosis or kidney disease.

Hepatotoxicity

Liver damage that is a major safety concern for patients taking testosterone or oxandrolone, evidenced by unexpected increased muscle mass.

Sildenafil

A medication used for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension; contraindicated with nitroglycerin due to the risk of severe hypotension.

Priapism

A medical emergency involving an erection lasting longer than $4\text{ hours}$ that can cause permanent damage.

Nitroglycerin

A vasodilator used for angina that must not be taken within the same $24\text{ hour}$ period as sildenafil to avoid a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Misoprostol (Cytotec)

A medication used to induce labor, cause uterine contractions, or protect the gastric lining in peptic ulcer disease; contraindicated in pregnancy unless used for induction.

Levothyroxine (Synthroid)

Synthetic thyroid hormone taken in the morning on an empty stomach $30\text{--}60\text{ minutes}$ before food and separated from vitamins/calcium by $4\text{ hours}$.

Exophthalmos

A symptom of hyperthyroidism/Graves disease characterized by the eyes bulging outward.

Radioactive Iodine

A treatment for hyperthyroidism that kills thyroid tissue; carries a risk of resulting in hypothyroidism or hypocalcemia if the parathyroid is damaged.

Alendronate

An osteoporosis medication that must be taken with a full glass of water while remaining upright for at least $30\text{ minutes}$ to prevent esophagitis.

Somatropin

A growth hormone medication given via subcutaneous injection to treat growth hormone deficiency.

Octreotide

A medication that suppresses growth hormone; used to treat gigantism and acromegaly.

Acromegaly

A condition where body tissues continue to grow due to an excess of growth hormone.

Diabetes Insipidus (DI)

A water-balance disorder involving Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) characterized by excessive thirst, large volumes of dilute urine, and dehydration.

Desmopressin (DDAVP)

An ADH replacement used for Diabetes Insipidus; nursing priorities include monitoring for hyponatremia, fluid retention, and daily weights.

Hyponatremia

Low sodium levels that can cause cerebral swelling and altered consciousness; a major risk when taking desmopressin due to water retention.

Addison’s Disease

Also known as adrenal insufficiency; a medical emergency where the body lacks sufficient steroids, causing hypotension, bradycardia, and altered LOC.

Fludrocortisone

A synthetic form of aldosterone used for Addison's disease that causes sodium and water retention to raise blood pressure.

Cushing’s Syndrome

A condition caused by an excess of adrenal cortex hormones, resulting in weight gain, moon face, truncal obesity, and hyperglycemia.

Metformin

An oral type 2 diabetes medication that must be held $24\text{ hours}$ before and $48\text{ hours}$ after procedures involving contrast dye to protect the kidneys.

Semaglutide (Ozempic)

A GLP-1 agonist used for diabetes; common side effects include nausea and vomiting, and patients should be monitored for hypoglycemia.

Rapid-Acting Insulin

Insulin that should be administered $15\text{--}30\text{ minutes}$ before a meal; the patient must have food present before administration.

NPH Insulin

An intermediate-acting 'cloudy' insulin that peaks around $6\text{ hours}$, requiring a snack to prevent hypoglycemia.

Insulin Glargine (Lantus)

A long-acting insulin that works for approximately $24\text{ hours}$ to provide basal glucose control.

Glyburide

A sulfonylurea used for type 2 diabetes; contraindicated in patients with a known sulfonamide (sulfa) allergy.

Clear before Cloudy

The nursing rule for mixing insulin, where regular (clear) insulin is drawn into the syringe before NPH (cloudy) insulin.