NR 329 Pharmacology Active-Recall Companion Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering NR329 pharmacology review concepts including pharmacokinetics, psychotropics, cardiovascular drugs, diuretics, anticoagulants, analgesics, anticonvulsants, and antidotes.

Pharmacokinetics (ADME)

The processes governing drug movement through the body, consisting of absorption into the bloodstream, distribution to tissues, hepatic metabolism, and renal excretion.

Low Albumin Effect

A condition where decreased albumin levels result in less bound drug, producing a larger free, active fraction that can increase the toxicity of highly protein-bound medications.

Impaired GFR

Reduced glomerular filtration rate causing decreased kidney excretion and leading to the accumulation of renally cleared medications.

Peak and Trough

Peak represents the highest drug concentration, whereas trough represents the lowest concentration, usually drawn immediately before the next dose.

Fluoxetine

An SSRI that inhibits serotonin reuptake, carries risks of GI and sexual adverse effects, serotonin syndrome, and suicidal thinking warnings in young patients, and requires an approximate $5\text{-week}$ washout prior to starting an MAOI.

Venlafaxine

An SNRI that requires blood pressure monitoring and avoidance of abrupt discontinuation.

Amitriptyline

A TCA whose overdose is particularly dangerous due to anticholinergic effects and potentially fatal cardiac toxicity.

Phenelzine

An MAOI that interacts dangerously with tyramine-rich aged or fermented foods to precipitate a hypertensive crisis.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

A severe reaction associated with antipsychotic medications characterized by fever, lead-pipe rigidity, confusion, unstable vitals, and elevated CK.

Serotonin Syndrome

A condition triggered by serotonergic drugs characterized by twitching, hyperreflexia, and autonomic instability, distinguishing it from NMS.

Bupropion

An antidepressant that carries a major seizure risk, contraindicating its use in seizure disorders and eating disorders, but lacks a strong association with sexual adverse effects.

Trazodone

An antidepressant associated with two unique adverse risks: marked sedation and priapism.

Buspirone

An anxiolytic requiring scheduled administration with delayed onset, making it unsuitable for the rescue of acute panic attacks.

Lithium Therapeutic Level

A target serum level of $0.6\text{--}1.2\,\text{mEq/L}$ drawn around $12\,\text{hours}$ after the last dose, with concentrations $>1.5\,\text{mEq/L}$ considered concerning.

Lithium Toxicity Triggers and Signs

Toxicity manifested by coarse tremor, confusion, and ataxia; levels are raised by dehydration, sodium depletion, kidney impairment, NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, and certain diuretics.

ACE Inhibitors

Cardiovascular medications ending in "-pril" that have three classic adverse effects: cough, hyperkalemia (high potassium), and angioedema (an airway emergency).

Dihydropyridine CCBs

Calcium channel blockers ending in "-dipine" that primarily act by vasodilation, distinguished from verapamil and diltiazem which also slow heart rate.

Clonidine

An antihypertensive medication that must not be abruptly stopped due to the risk of severe rebound hypertension.

Nitroglycerin

A coronary vasodilator that interacts dangerously with sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors to cause severe hypotension.

Atorvastatin

A statin medication that must be withheld and urgently evaluated if a client exhibits severe muscle pain, dark urine, and high CK indicative of rhabdomyolysis.

Furosemide

A loop diuretic that causes a decrease in potassium levels, necessitating electrolyte monitoring.

Spironolactone

A potassium-sparing diuretic that increases potassium levels, carrying a risk of hyperkalemia and arrhythmias.

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

A diuretic with common adverse risks of causing low potassium (hypokalemia) and increased uric acid levels, which can trigger gout.

Heparin

An anticoagulant monitored via aPTT when given as an IV unfractionated infusion and reversed with protamine sulfate.

Warfarin

An anticoagulant indicated for mechanical heart valves, monitored via INR, reversed with vitamin K, and requiring consistent dietary vitamin K intake.

Apixaban

An oral Factor Xa inhibitor anticoagulant for which routine INR is not used to guide dosing.

N-acetylcysteine

The specific reversal antidote for acetaminophen overdose, which primarily targets and injures the liver.

Naloxone

An opioid antagonist used for respiratory depression that requires continued post-administration monitoring because it may wear off before the opioid does, risking recurrent respiratory depression.

Triptans

Medications indicated for acute migraine therapy that are contraindicated in patients with coronary artery disease.

Donepezil

A medication for Alzheimer disease associated with cardiovascular red flags including bradycardia and fainting.

Allopurinol

A urate-lowering medication used for gout prevention, not for immediate relief of an acute gout flare.

MMR Vaccine

A live attenuated vaccine that requires strict cautions regarding administration during pregnancy or in immunocompromised individuals.

Phenytoin

An anticonvulsant associated with classic adverse effects of gingival hyperplasia, ataxia, and nystagmus, requiring drug level monitoring.

Carbamazepine

An anticonvulsant carrying warnings for CBC abnormalities, hyponatremia, and serious skin rashes.

Valproic Acid

An anticonvulsant with major organ and hematologic risks including liver injury, pancreatitis, and platelet effects.

Lamotrigine

An anticonvulsant requiring immediate vigilance and evaluation for any new rash due to the risk of serious skin reactions.

Gentamicin

An aminoglycoside antibiotic associated with hearing/balance toxicity (ototoxicity) and kidney toxicity (nephrotoxicity), requiring routine monitoring of hearing, renal labs, and drug levels.

Ciprofloxacin

A fluoroquinolone antibiotic with a distinctive warning to report new tendon pain, especially in the Achilles tendon.

Metformin

An oral antidiabetic medication carrying a notable warning for lactic acidosis, requiring evaluation of kidney function and protocol-based caution around contrast studies.

Flumazenil

The reversal antidote for benzodiazepines that carries a special risk of inducing seizures, especially in chronic benzodiazepine users.

Digoxin Immune Fab

The specific antidote utilized for selected cases of severe digoxin toxicity.

Filgrastim

A colony-stimulating factor that stimulates neutrophils (WBCs), differentiated from epoetin alfa which stimulates RBC production.