NSG 251 Exam 5: Pharmacology Overview actual questions with 100% correct answers + detailed explanations

Medications that stimulate adrenergic receptors.

Adrenergic Agonists

Used for anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest.

Epinephrine

Treats severe hypotension; administered IV.

Norepinephrine

Medications that block adrenergic receptor activity.

Adrenergic Blockers

Used for pheochromocytoma and vasospasm.

Phentolamine

Primarily treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Tamsulosin

End in 'lol'; reduce heart rate.

Beta Blockers

Medications that stimulate cholinergic receptors.

Cholinergic Agonists

Acronym for cholinergic effects: Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination.

SLUDGE

Used to treat urinary retention.

Bethanechol

Improves cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.

Donepezil

Enhances skeletal muscle strength in myasthenia gravis.

Pyridostigmine

Medications that inhibit cholinergic receptor activity.

Cholinergic Blockers

Refers to confusion caused by anticholinergic effects.

Mad as a Hatter

Indicates vision problems from cholinergic blockade.

Blind as a Bat

Describes flushing due to cholinergic blockade.

Red as a Beet

Indicates increased body temperature from blockade.

Hot as a Hare

Refers to decreased secretions from cholinergic blockade.

Dry as a Bone

Conditions that prevent medication use safely.

Contraindications

Unwanted side effects from medication use.

Adverse Effects

Assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation in care.

Nursing Process

Specific interventions for adrenergic or cholinergic overdose.

Overdose Treatment

Medications that inhibit acetylcholine effects.

Cholinergic Blockers

Common negative reactions to cholinergic blockers.

Adverse Effects

Antidote for anticholinergic overdose.

Atropine

Used to treat irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

Dicyclomine

Medication for overactive bladder management.

Oxybutynin

Increase heart rate and blood pressure.

Adrenergic Effects

Decrease heart rate and increase GI activity.

Cholinergic Effects

Dry secretions and dilate pupils.

Anticholinergic Effects

Medication that calms without inducing sleep.

Sedative

Medication that induces sleep.

Hypnotic

Class of medications for anxiety and sedation.

Benzodiazepines

Serious risks associated with specific medications.

Box Warnings

Treats anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures.

Diazepam

Used for sedation before procedures.

Midazolam

Used for anxiety and sedation.

Lorazepam

Medication for insomnia treatment.

Eszopiclone

Another medication for insomnia management.

Zolpidem

Medications that relieve muscle tension.

Muscle Relaxants

Used primarily for spasticity management.

Baclofen

Used for acute muscle spasms.

Cyclobenzaprine

Stimulants used to treat ADHD.

Amphetamines

Temporary cessation of medication to assess effects.

Drug Holiday

Medications that relieve migraine symptoms.

Serotonin Receptor Agonists

Treatment aimed at stopping migraine attacks.

Abortive Therapy

Treatment aimed at stopping acute symptoms quickly.

Abortive therapy

A specific reason to avoid a drug class.

Contraindication

Negative reactions caused by medications.

Adverse effects

Instructions on when and how often to take drugs.

Teaching on medication timing

A mood stabilizer with a narrow therapeutic index.

Lithium

Therapeutic range is 0.6-1.2 mEq/L.

Normal lithium blood levels

Lithium is more effective for manic states.

Bipolar disorder effectiveness

Use during pregnancy is generally contraindicated.

Lithium in pregnancy

Sodium levels must be monitored during treatment.

Electrolyte associated with lithium

Can lead to lithium toxicity and adverse reactions.

Low sodium effects

May reduce lithium's effectiveness in mood stabilization.

High sodium effects

Nausea, tremors, weight gain, and thyroid issues.

Common adverse effects of lithium

Medications targeting neurotransmitter imbalances in depression.

Antidepressants

Process of finding the right antidepressant.

Trial and error

Antidepressants take weeks to show therapeutic effects.

Delayed onset of action

Increased risk during initial treatment phase.

Suicidal ideation risk

Common side effect of many antidepressants.

Weight gain

Often leads to therapy non-adherence in males.

Sexual dysfunction

Prevents chronic depressive episodes; lasts at least one year.

Early therapy importance

They disrupt normal REM sleep patterns.

Antidepressants and REM sleep

Antidepressants require birth control to prevent pregnancy.

Fetal toxicity

Potentially life-threatening condition from excess serotonin.

Serotonin syndrome

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, e.g., fluoxetine.

SSRI

Include anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Conditions treated by SSRIs

Withdrawal symptoms after stopping antidepressants abruptly.

Discontinuation syndrome

Avoid in patients with cardiac issues.

TCA contraindications

Include sedation, weight gain, and dry mouth.

TCA adverse effects

Takes 4-6 weeks to become effective.

Therapeutic onset of TCAs

Usually taken at bedtime to minimize sedation.

Best time to take TCAs

Combining can lead to fatal overdose.

Alcohol and TCAs

New generation drugs with improved side effect profiles.

Atypical antipsychotics

Include hallucinations and delusions.

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Include apathy and social withdrawal.

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Extrapyramidal symptoms from antipsychotic medications.

EPS

Include risk of increased mortality in elderly.

Box warnings for antipsychotics

Treat schizophrenia, psychosis, and severe mood disorders.

General purposes of antipsychotics

Negative reactions to medications, requiring monitoring.

Adverse effects

Medications used to manage psychosis symptoms.

Antipsychotic drugs

Seizure triggered by fever, common in children.

Febrile seizure

Antiepileptic drugs for seizure management.

AEDs

Benzodiazepines can quickly stop seizures.

Active seizure treatment

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

AED box warning

Antiepileptic drug requiring blood level monitoring.

Phenytoin

Target concentration for effective drug action.

Therapeutic blood level

Includes rash, gum hyperplasia, and ataxia.

Phenytoin adverse effects

Important due to potential serious skin reactions.

Rash monitoring

Prevents gum issues from phenytoin use.

Dental care importance

Only compatible with normal saline solution.

IV phenytoin compatibility

Iminostilbene used for epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

Carbamazepine

Maintained between 4-12 mcg/mL.

Carbamazepine therapeutic level

Drug increases its own metabolism over time.

Autoinduction

Grapefruit juice can increase drug levels.

Foods to avoid with carbamazepine

Antiepileptic drug with various side effects.

Levetiracetam

Abnormal involuntary movements from Parkinson's drugs.

Dyskinesias