HESI Pharmacology Master Study Guide Flashcards

Flashcards covering key pharmacology concepts, adverse reactions, high-yield drug definitions, and HESI test preparation rules.

Lisinopril

An ACE inhibitor that blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation and decreased blood pressure; key adverse effects include a dry cough, hyperkalemia, and life-threatening angioedema.

Acarbose

A type 2 diabetes medication that delays carbohydrate digestion and absorption; if hypoglycemia occurs while taking it, it must be treated with oral glucose or dextrose rather than sucrose or table sugar.

Acetylcysteine

A drug used as a mucolytic to thin respiratory secretions for airway clearance and as the specific antidote for acetaminophen toxicity.

Risedronate

A bisphosphonate for osteoporosis that must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach with a full glass of plain water, requiring the patient to remain upright for at least 30 minutes to prevent esophageal irritation.

Acyclovir

An antiviral agent indicated for herpes simplex and varicella-zoster; fluid intake should be encouraged during therapy to minimize the risk of renal toxicity.

Adalimumab

A TNF inhibitor used for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease that suppresses the inflammatory immune response, raising infection risks and necessitating avoidance of live vaccines.

Albuterol

A short-acting beta₂ agonist used for rescue relief of acute bronchospasm; adverse effects include tachycardia, tremor, nervousness, palpitations, and potential hypokalemia with significant exposure.

Allopurinol

A xanthine oxidase inhibitor used to prevent gout attacks by decreasing uric acid production; it does not treat acute attacks, and any skin rash must be reported immediately due to severe hypersensitivity risk.

Amphotericin B

A potent antifungal medication associated with serious kidney and electrolyte toxicities, requiring frequent monitoring of BUN, creatinine, potassium, and magnesium.

Amlodipine

A calcium channel blocker that produces arterial vasodilation to lower blood pressure, with peripheral edema serving as a characteristic adverse effect.

Riluzole

A disease-modifying medication used to slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), requiring ongoing assessment of neurological, respiratory, and liver functions.

Acetaminophen Toxicity Signs

Manifestations of liver damage following acetaminophen overdose, including jaundice, right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain, nausea, dark urine, and elevated AST and ALT levels.

Anabolic Steroid Side Effects

Adverse consequences of anabolic steroid use, such as acne, liver injury, mood changes, infertility, testicular atrophy, reduced sperm production, and virilization in females.

SLUDGE Toxicity Mnemonic

An acronym representing toxic effects of excess cholinergic/muscarinic stimulation: Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Diarrhea, GI cramping, and Emesis.

Psyllium

A bulk-forming laxative that must always be ingested with adequate fluid to prevent esophageal or intestinal obstruction.

Calcitriol

The active form of vitamin D that enhances calcium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, indicated for hypocalcemia and selected renal disorders.

Carbidopa-Levodopa

A combination antiparkinsonian drug wherein levodopa converts to dopamine in the central nervous system, while carbidopa inhibits peripheral breakdown of levodopa.

Cimetidine

An H2 receptor blocker that inhibits several hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes and carries a notable risk of causing confusion, particularly in older adults.

Ciprofloxacin

A fluoroquinolone antibiotic that binds to antacids, iron, and calcium (decreasing absorption) and carries a serious risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture.

Cyclosporine

An immunosuppressant drug used to prevent organ rejection that causes nephrotoxicity, hypertension, infection, and gingival hyperplasia; grapefruit products must be avoided.

Digoxin Toxicity Signs

Clinical indications of excessive digoxin levels, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, confusion, yellow/green halo visual disturbances, and cardiac dysrhythmias; risk increases with hypokalemia.

Dihydroergotamine

An ergot alkaloid used for acute migraines that produces cranial vasoconstriction; it is contraindicated in patients with significant cardiovascular disease.

Epoetin Alfa

An erythropoiesis-stimulating agent used for anemia in chronic kidney disease to increase red blood cell production; blood pressure must be monitored due to the risk of hypertension.

Liquid Ferrous Sulfate Administration

An oral liquid iron supplement that should be swallowed through a straw to prevent staining of the teeth; concurrent Vitamin C administration enhances iron absorption.

Filgrastim

A granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) given to treat chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, evaluated by an increase in the absolute neutrophil count (ANC).

Glucagon Emergency Kit

An injectable medication for severe hypoglycemia in an unconscious or unable-to-swallow patient; the individual should be placed on their side due to potential post-administration vomiting.

Akathisia

An extrapyramidal symptom characterized by motor restlessness and an inability to sit still, often presenting as pacing or rocking following antipsychotic administration.

Isotretinoin

A severe acne treatment that is highly teratogenic, requiring strict pregnancy avoidance programs, routine pregnancy testing, and abstinence from blood donation during and after therapy.

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Also known as Kayexalate, a GI-binding resin administered to lower elevated serum potassium levels in hyperkalemia.

Lactulose

An osmotic laxative used in hepatic encephalopathy to bind and eliminate intestinal ammonia, evaluated by improved neurological status and a target of 2 to 3 soft stools daily.

Lithium Toxicity

A toxic condition resulting from narrow therapeutic index lithium therapy, manifesting as severe diarrhea, vomiting, coarse hand tremors, confusion, ataxia, and slurred speech.

Mannitol

An osmotic diuretic administered intravenously to reduce elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) or intraocular pressure (IOP).

Metformin

A first-line oral antidiabetic medication that decreases hepatic glucose production and increases peripheral insulin sensitivity, carrying a rare risk of severe lactic acidosis.

Methotrexate

A disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and antineoplastic that suppresses bone marrow, causes hepatotoxicity, and is teratogenic; fever or sore throat must be reported promptly.

Metronidazole

An antimicrobial drug that triggers a severe disulfiram-like reaction (nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, tachycardia) when combined with alcohol.

Metoclopramide

A prokinetic antiemetic agent that can induce extrapyramidal symptoms and tardive dyskinesia, characterized by involuntary repetitive facial and tongue movements.

Misoprostol

A synthetic prostaglandin used to prevent NSAID-induced gastric ulcers; it is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy because it stimulates uterine contractions.

Naloxone

An opioid antagonist given to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression; because its duration of action may be shorter than the opioid, repeat doses are often needed.

Nitroglycerin

A coronary vasodilator that reduces myocardial preload to treat angina; concurrent administration with PDE-5 inhibitors like sildenafil causes profound, life-threatening hypotension.

Orlistat

A lipase inhibitor for weight management that blocks intestinal fat absorption, causing oily/fatty stools, fecal urgency, and decreased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).

Phenazopyridine

A urinary tract analgesic that provides symptom relief for dysuria and predictably turns the urine an orange or red-orange color.

Pentoxifylline

A hemorheologic agent that increases red blood cell flexibility and reduces blood viscosity, used to decrease intermittent claudication in peripheral vascular disease.

Pilocarpine

An ophthalmic cholinergic/miotic drug that constricts the pupil and enhances aqueous humor drainage to reduce intraocular pressure in glaucoma.

Pyridostigmine

An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in myasthenia gravis to elevate acetylcholine levels at the neuromuscular junction, improving muscle strength, swallowing, and breathing.

Demeclocycline

A tetracycline antibiotic derivative used off-label in SIADH to inhibit renal responsiveness to ADH, facilitating free-water excretion and correcting hyponatremia.

Sucralfate

A GI medication that forms a physical protective complex over active ulcer beds; it should be taken on an empty stomach and separated from other oral medications.

Sumatriptan

A selective 5-HT₁ receptor agonist used for acute migraine attacks via cranial vasoconstriction; it is contraindicated in patients with coronary artery disease or uncontrolled hypertension.

Tamsulosin

An alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist that relaxes smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck to treat BPH; patients must be monitored for orthostatic hypotension.

Theophylline

A xanthine bronchodilator with a narrow therapeutic range; toxicity can cause severe, life-threatening clinical consequences including cardiac dysrhythmias and seizures.

Transdermal Fentanyl Patch

A potent, sustained-release opioid formulation used exclusively for severe chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients; exposure to external heat sources (heating pads, hot tubs) can trigger rapid fatal drug overdose.