Pharmacology Nursing Study Chart Questions Flashcards

Flashcards covering therapeutic uses, major adverse reactions, precautions, interactions, and nursing considerations for 41 key pharmacological agents and classes.

What is the drug class and brand name for Alprazolam?

Drug Class: Benzodiazepine; Brand Name: Xanax.

What are the therapeutic uses for Alprazolam (Xanax)?

Anxiety and panic disorder.

What are the major adverse reactions associated with Alprazolam (Xanax)?

CNS depression, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, respiratory depression, and dependence.

What important precautions and drug interactions apply to Alprazolam (Xanax)?

Avoid opioids and alcohol due to additive CNS depression; abrupt withdrawal may cause seizures.

What essential nursing considerations should be followed when administering Alprazolam (Xanax)?

Assess anxiety, level of consciousness (LOC), and respiratory rate (RR); implement fall precautions; avoid abrupt discontinuation.

What drug class is represented by Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors?

SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors).

What are the primary therapeutic uses of SSRIs?

Depression, anxiety, OCD, and panic disorder.

What major adverse reactions are associated with SSRIs?

Nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, headache, serotonin syndrome, and suicidal thoughts.

What precautions and drug interactions are critical for SSRIs?

MAOIs are contraindicated; serotonergic drugs increase the risk of serotonin syndrome; NSAIDs may increase bleeding.

What essential nursing considerations apply to patients taking SSRIs?

Monitor mood and suicidal ideation; note that effects take several weeks; do not stop abruptly; monitor for serotonin syndrome.

What drug class does the abbreviation SNRI stand for?

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors.

What are the main therapeutic uses for SNRIs?

Depression, anxiety, and neuropathic pain.

What major adverse reactions are linked to SNRIs?

Nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, increased blood pressure (BP), and serotonin syndrome.

What key interactions and precautions should be noted for SNRIs?

Interactions with MAOIs and serotonergic drugs; monitor BP; sudden discontinuation causes withdrawal.

What are the essential nursing considerations for patients on SNRI therapy?

Monitor BP and mood; assess suicidal ideation; taper medication rather than stopping abruptly.

What drug class is abbreviated as TCA?

Tricyclic Antidepressants.

What are the therapeutic uses for Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)?

Depression, neuropathic pain, and some anxiety disorders.

What major adverse reactions can occur with TCAs?

Anticholinergic effects, orthostatic hypotension, sedation, dysrhythmias, and seizures.

What dangerous precautions and interactions are associated with TCAs?

Dangerous in overdose; MAOIs are contraindicated; alcohol and CNS depressants increase sedation.

What essential nursing considerations are required when caring for a patient on TCAs?

Monitor BP and HR; implement fall precautions; assess suicide risk; obtain ECG when indicated.

What drug class is abbreviated as MAOI?

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.

What is the primary therapeutic use for MAOIs?

Treatment-resistant depression.

What major adverse reactions are associated with MAOIs?

Hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, headache, insomnia, and serotonin syndrome.

What critical dietary and drug precautions must be taken with MAOIs?

Tyramine foods can cause a hypertensive crisis; many drug interactions exist; avoid SSRIs, SNRIs, and TCAs.

What essential nursing considerations apply to MAOI therapy?

Teach tyramine restriction; monitor BP; observe washout periods; instruct patient to report severe headache or palpitations.

What drug class does Lithium belong to?

Mood Stabilizer.

What are the primary therapeutic uses for Lithium?

Bipolar disorder, acute mania, and maintenance treatment.

What major adverse reactions are associated with Lithium therapy?

Tremor, GI upset, polyuria, thirst, hypothyroidism, weight gain, and toxicity.

What precautions and substance/drug interactions can increase Lithium levels?

Dehydration, NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, and thiazides can increase lithium levels.

What essential nursing considerations should be maintained for patients taking Lithium?

Maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake; monitor serum lithium, renal, and thyroid function; know toxicity signs.

What drug class does Donepezil belong to?

Cholinesterase Inhibitors.

What is the primary therapeutic use of Donepezil?

Alzheimer dementia (improves cognition and symptoms).

What major adverse reactions are seen with Donepezil?

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bradycardia, dizziness, syncope, and weight loss.

What precautions and conditions require caution when using Donepezil?

Caution with bradycardia, GI ulcers, and asthma/COPD; watch for additive cholinergic effects.

What essential nursing considerations apply when caring for a patient taking Donepezil?

Monitor HR, weight, and GI effects; implement fall precautions; assess cognitive and functional status.

What is the drug class and brand name for Carbidopa/Levodopa?

Drug Class: Dopaminergic; Brand Name: Sinemet.

What is the therapeutic use for Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet)?

Parkinson disease.

What major adverse reactions can occur with Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet)?

Dyskinesia, orthostatic hypotension, nausea, hallucinations, confusion, and dark urine or sweat.

What dietary precautions and medication interactions affect Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet)?

High-protein meals can reduce absorption; use caution with antipsychotics and MAOIs.

What essential nursing considerations are needed for a patient taking Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet)?

Give on schedule; monitor motor symptoms, dyskinesias, and orthostatic BP; do not abruptly stop.

What is the drug class and brand name for Allopurinol?

Drug Class: Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor; Brand Name: Zyloprim.

What is the therapeutic use of Allopurinol (Zyloprim)?

Prevention of gout attacks; lowers uric acid.

What major adverse reactions are associated with Allopurinol (Zyloprim)?

Rash, GI upset, severe hypersensitivity/SJS, and liver abnormalities.

What precautions and drug interactions are important for Allopurinol (Zyloprim)?

Azathioprine/6-MP interactions; renal impairment requires caution.

What essential nursing considerations apply to Allopurinol (Zyloprim)?

Encourage fluids; monitor uric acid, renal/liver function; report rash immediately; not for immediate acute-gout pain.

What is the drug class and brand name for Colchicine?

Drug Class: Antigout; Brand Name: Colcrys.

What are the therapeutic uses for Colchicine (Colcrys)?

Acute gout; prevention of gout flares.

What major adverse reactions are linked to Colchicine (Colcrys)?

Diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, myopathy, bone marrow suppression, and neuropathy.

What increases the risk of severe toxicity with Colchicine (Colcrys)?

Toxicity increases with renal/hepatic impairment and CYP3A4/P-gp inhibitors.

What essential nursing considerations should be implemented for Colchicine (Colcrys)?

Monitor GI symptoms, CBC, and renal/hepatic function; severe toxicity can occur.

What is the drug class and brand name for Aspirin?

Drug Class: NSAID/Antiplatelet; Brand Name: Ecotrin.

What are the therapeutic uses of Aspirin (Ecotrin)?

Pain, fever, inflammation, and cardiovascular event prevention.

What major adverse reactions can Aspirin (Ecotrin) cause?

GI bleeding, ulcers, tinnitus, renal injury, and hypersensitivity.

What precautions and patient populations are critical regarding Aspirin (Ecotrin)?

Anticoagulants/other NSAIDs increase bleeding; avoid in children with viral illness.

What essential nursing considerations apply to Aspirin (Ecotrin)?

Monitor bleeding, stools, and renal function; teach bleeding precautions.

What is the drug class and brand name for Naproxen?

Drug Class: NSAID; Brand Name: Aleve.

What are the therapeutic uses for Naproxen (Aleve)?

Pain, inflammation, and arthritis.

What major adverse reactions are associated with Naproxen (Aleve)?

GI irritation/bleeding, renal injury, hypertension, and cardiovascular events.

What conditions and drug interactions pose precautions for Naproxen (Aleve)?

Anticoagulants, aspirin, and other NSAIDs; pre-existing renal disease.

What essential nursing considerations apply to Naproxen (Aleve)?

Monitor pain, GI bleeding, BP, and renal function; use lowest effective dose.

What is the drug class and brand name for Ibuprofen?

Drug Class: NSAID; Brand Name: Motrin.

What are the therapeutic uses for Ibuprofen (Motrin)?

Pain, fever, and inflammation.

What major adverse reactions can occur with Ibuprofen (Motrin)?

GI bleeding, renal injury, hypertension, and cardiovascular events.

What interactions and precautions apply to Ibuprofen (Motrin)?

Other NSAIDs/anticoagulants; renal disease.

What essential nursing considerations should be remembered for Ibuprofen (Motrin)?

Give with food/milk if appropriate; monitor GI/renal effects and BP; avoid duplicate NSAIDs.

What is the drug class and brand name for Acetaminophen?

Drug Class: Analgesic/Antipyretic; Brand Name: Tylenol.

What are the therapeutic uses for Acetaminophen (Tylenol)?

Mild-moderate pain and fever.

What is the primary major adverse reaction associated with Acetaminophen (Tylenol)?

Hepatotoxicity, especially overdose.

What factors increase the risk of liver toxicity with Acetaminophen (Tylenol)?

Alcohol and other acetaminophen products increase liver toxicity.

What essential nursing considerations apply to Acetaminophen (Tylenol)?

Track total daily dose from all sources; assess liver disease/alcohol use.

What is the drug class and brand name for Celecoxib?

Drug Class: COX-2 Selective NSAID; Brand Name: Celebrex.

What are the primary therapeutic uses for Celecoxib (Celebrex)?

Arthritis pain/inflammation.

What major adverse reactions are seen with Celecoxib (Celebrex)?

GI effects, cardiovascular events, hypertension, and renal injury.

What allergy caution and interactions are specific to Celecoxib (Celebrex)?

Sulfonamide allergy caution; cardiovascular disease; anticoagulants.

What essential nursing considerations apply to Celecoxib (Celebrex)?

Monitor BP, renal function, edema, and GI bleeding; use lowest effective dose.

What is the drug class and brand name for Auranofin?

Drug Class: Gold DMARD; Brand Name: Ridaura.

What is the therapeutic use of Auranofin (Ridaura)?

Rheumatoid arthritis.

What major adverse reactions can occur with Auranofin (Ridaura)?

Diarrhea, stomatitis, rash, proteinuria, and bone marrow suppression.

What precautions and drug interactions are associated with Auranofin (Ridaura)?

Renal disease; other drugs causing blood dyscrasias.

What essential nursing considerations are necessary for patients on Auranofin (Ridaura)?

Monitor CBC, urinalysis/proteinuria, and renal function; inspect skin/mucosa.

What is the drug class and brand name for Gold Sodium Thiomalate?

Drug Class: Gold DMARD; Brand Name: Myochrysine.

What is the therapeutic use of Gold Sodium Thiomalate (Myochrysine)?

Rheumatoid arthritis.

What major adverse reactions are associated with Gold Sodium Thiomalate (Myochrysine)?

Dermatitis, stomatitis, proteinuria, and bone marrow suppression.

What precautions and drug classes require caution with Gold Sodium Thiomalate (Myochrysine)?

Renal disease; nephrotoxic/myelosuppressive drugs.

What essential nursing considerations should be done for Gold Sodium Thiomalate (Myochrysine)?

Monitor CBC, urinalysis, and renal function; assess rash/oral ulcers.

What is the drug class and brand name for Methotrexate?

Drug Class: DMARD/Antimetabolite; Brand Name: Rheumatrex.

What are the therapeutic uses for Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)?

Rheumatoid arthritis; psoriasis; cancers.

What major adverse reactions can occur with Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)?

Bone marrow suppression, hepatotoxicity, mucositis, pulmonary toxicity, and teratogenicity.

What critical precautions and contraindications apply to Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)?

Alcohol increases hepatotoxicity; pregnancy contraindicated; many interactions.

What essential nursing considerations apply to Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)?

Usually weekly for RA—not daily; monitor CBC/LFTs/renal function; infection precautions; avoid pregnancy.

What is the drug class and brand name for Dexamethasone?

Drug Class: Corticosteroid; Brand Name: Decadron.

What are the therapeutic uses for Dexamethasone (Decadron)?

Inflammation, autoimmune disorders, allergic reactions, and cerebral edema.

What major adverse reactions are associated with Dexamethasone (Decadron)?

Hyperglycemia, infection, fluid retention, osteoporosis, mood changes, and GI irritation.

What precautions and interactions should be kept in mind for Dexamethasone (Decadron)?

May mask infection; NSAIDs increase GI risk; vaccines may be affected.

What essential nursing considerations are required when administering Dexamethasone (Decadron)?

Monitor glucose, infection, BP, and electrolytes; give with food; do not abruptly stop after prolonged use.

What is the drug class and brand name for Cyclobenzaprine?

Drug Class: Skeletal Muscle Relaxant; Brand Name: Flexeril.

What is the therapeutic use of Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)?

Acute muscle spasms.

What major adverse reactions are caused by Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)?

Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, and anticholinergic effects.

What important precautions and interactions apply to Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)?

MAOIs contraindicated; alcohol/CNS depressants increase sedation.

What essential nursing considerations apply to Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)?

Fall precautions; assess muscle spasm/pain; short-term use; caution in older adults.