Pharmacology Nursing Study Chart Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from the Pharmacology Nursing Study Chart covering drug classes, indications, adverse effects, precautions, and essential nursing considerations.

Alprazolam (Xanax) - Drug Class

Benzodiazepine

Alprazolam (Xanax) - Therapeutic Use

Anxiety, panic disorder

Alprazolam (Xanax) - Major Adverse Reactions

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

Alprazolam (Xanax) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Avoid opioids/alcohol; additive CNS depression; abrupt withdrawal may cause seizures

Alprazolam (Xanax) - Essential Nursing Considerations

Assess anxiety/LOC and RR; fall precautions; avoid abrupt discontinuation.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - Drug Class

SSRI

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - Therapeutic Use

Depression, anxiety, OCD, panic disorder

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - Major Adverse Reactions

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

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - Important Precautions and Interactions

MAOIs contraindicated; serotonergic drugs increase serotonin syndrome risk; NSAIDs may increase bleeding

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - Essential Nursing Considerations

Monitor mood/suicidal ideation; effect takes several weeks; do not stop abruptly; monitor serotonin syndrome.

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) - Drug Class

SNRI

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) - Therapeutic Use

Depression, anxiety, neuropathic pain

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) - Major Adverse Reactions

Nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, increased BP, serotonin syndrome

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) - Important Precautions and Interactions

MAOIs/serotonergic drugs; monitor BP; withdrawal with sudden discontinuation

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) - Drug Class

TCA

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) - Therapeutic Use

Depression; neuropathic pain; some anxiety disorders

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) - Major Adverse Reactions

Anticholinergic effects, orthostatic hypotension, sedation, dysrhythmias, seizures

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Dangerous overdose; MAOIs contraindicated; alcohol/CNS depressants increase sedation

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) - Essential Nursing Considerations

Monitor BP/HR; fall precautions; assess suicide risk; ECG when indicated.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) - Drug Class

MAOI

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) - Therapeutic Use

Treatment-resistant depression

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) - Major Adverse Reactions

Hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, headache, insomnia, serotonin syndrome

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Tyramine foods can cause hypertensive crisis; many drug interactions; avoid SSRIs/SNRIs/TCAs

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) - Essential Nursing Considerations

Teach tyramine restriction; monitor BP; observe washout periods; report severe headache/palpitations.

Lithium - Drug Class

Mood Stabilizer

Lithium - Therapeutic Use

Bipolar disorder; acute mania; maintenance

Lithium - Major Adverse Reactions

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

Lithium - Important Precautions and Interactions

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

Lithium - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Cholinesterase Inhibitors (donepezil) - Drug Class

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Cholinesterase Inhibitors (donepezil) - Therapeutic Use

Alzheimer dementia; improves cognition/symptoms

Cholinesterase Inhibitors (donepezil) - Major Adverse Reactions

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

Cholinesterase Inhibitors (donepezil) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Caution with bradycardia, GI ulcers, asthma/COPD; additive cholinergic effects

Cholinesterase Inhibitors (donepezil) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet) - Drug Class

Dopaminergic

Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet) - Therapeutic Use

Parkinson disease

Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet) - Major Adverse Reactions

Dyskinesia, orthostatic hypotension, nausea, hallucinations, confusion, dark urine/sweat

Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet) - Important Precautions and Interactions

High-protein meals can reduce absorption; caution with antipsychotics/MAOIs

Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Allopurinol (Zyloprim) - Drug Class

Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor

Allopurinol (Zyloprim) - Therapeutic Use

Prevention of gout attacks; lowers uric acid

Allopurinol (Zyloprim) - Major Adverse Reactions

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

Allopurinol (Zyloprim) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Azathioprine/6-MP interactions; renal impairment requires caution

Allopurinol (Zyloprim) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Colchicine (Colcrys) - Drug Class

Antigout

Colchicine (Colcrys) - Therapeutic Use

Acute gout; prevention of gout flares

Colchicine (Colcrys) - Major Adverse Reactions

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

Colchicine (Colcrys) - Important Precautions and Interactions

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

Colchicine (Colcrys) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Aspirin (Ecotrin) - Drug Class

NSAID/Antiplatelet

Aspirin (Ecotrin) - Therapeutic Use

Pain, fever, inflammation; cardiovascular event prevention

Aspirin (Ecotrin) - Major Adverse Reactions

GI bleeding, ulcers, tinnitus, renal injury, hypersensitivity

Aspirin (Ecotrin) - Important Precautions and Interactions

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

Aspirin (Ecotrin) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Naproxen (Aleve) - Drug Class

NSAID

Naproxen (Aleve) - Therapeutic Use

Pain, inflammation, arthritis

Naproxen (Aleve) - Major Adverse Reactions

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

Naproxen (Aleve) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Anticoagulants, aspirin, other NSAIDs; renal disease

Naproxen (Aleve) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Ibuprofen (Motrin) - Drug Class

NSAID

Ibuprofen (Motrin) - Therapeutic Use

Pain, fever, inflammation

Ibuprofen (Motrin) - Major Adverse Reactions

GI bleeding, renal injury, hypertension, cardiovascular events

Ibuprofen (Motrin) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Other NSAIDs/anticoagulants; renal disease

Ibuprofen (Motrin) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - Drug Class

Analgesic/Antipyretic

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - Therapeutic Use

Mild-moderate pain, fever

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - Major Adverse Reactions

Hepatotoxicity, especially overdose

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Alcohol and other acetaminophen products increase liver toxicity

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Celecoxib (Celebrex) - Drug Class

COX-2 Selective NSAID

Celecoxib (Celebrex) - Therapeutic Use

Arthritis pain/inflammation

Celecoxib (Celebrex) - Major Adverse Reactions

GI effects, cardiovascular events, hypertension, renal injury

Celecoxib (Celebrex) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Sulfonamide allergy caution; cardiovascular disease; anticoagulants

Celecoxib (Celebrex) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Auranofin (Ridaura) - Drug Class

Gold DMARD

Auranofin (Ridaura) - Therapeutic Use

Rheumatoid arthritis

Auranofin (Ridaura) - Major Adverse Reactions

Diarrhea, stomatitis, rash, proteinuria, bone marrow suppression

Auranofin (Ridaura) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Renal disease; other drugs causing blood dyscrasias

Auranofin (Ridaura) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Gold Sodium Thiomalate (Myochrysine) - Drug Class

Gold DMARD

Gold Sodium Thiomalate (Myochrysine) - Therapeutic Use

Rheumatoid arthritis

Gold Sodium Thiomalate (Myochrysine) - Major Adverse Reactions

Dermatitis, stomatitis, proteinuria, bone marrow suppression

Gold Sodium Thiomalate (Myochrysine) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Renal disease; nephrotoxic/myelosuppressive drugs

Gold Sodium Thiomalate (Myochrysine) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) - Drug Class

DMARD/Antimetabolite

Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) - Therapeutic Use

Rheumatoid arthritis; psoriasis; cancers

Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) - Major Adverse Reactions

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

Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) - Important Precautions and Interactions

Alcohol increases hepatotoxicity; pregnancy contraindicated; many interactions

Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Dexamethasone (Decadron) - Drug Class

Corticosteroid

Dexamethasone (Decadron) - Therapeutic Use

Inflammation, autoimmune disorders, allergic reactions, cerebral edema

Dexamethasone (Decadron) - Major Adverse Reactions

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

Dexamethasone (Decadron) - Important Precautions and Interactions

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

Dexamethasone (Decadron) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) - Drug Class

Skeletal Muscle Relaxant

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) - Therapeutic Use

Acute muscle spasms

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) - Major Adverse Reactions

Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, confusion, anticholinergic effects

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) - Important Precautions and Interactions

MAOIs contraindicated; alcohol/CNS depressants increase sedation

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) - Essential Nursing Considerations

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