Medication stuff for Pt Care

I wanna die

anesthetic

Injected into the skin/other tissues, work to stop transmission of pain signals. Lidocaine, marcaine

sedatives, tranquilizers, antianxiety

Depress the CNS, relaxes, reduces anxiety. Ativan, Valium, Propofol

antihistamines

Stops histamine rxn after encountering an allergin. Reactine, Claritin, diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Anticoagulants

Reduce blood’s ability to clot. Prevent clotting in an IV line, prevent/treat a heart attack or stroke. Aspirin, Warfarin (Coumadin)

Vasoconstrictors

Constrict the muscles of the blood vessels to control blood flow/pressure. Epinephrine (Adrenaline) eg. EpiPen

Vasodilators

Relax the muscles of the blood vessels to control blood flow/pressure. Dopamine (Intropin)

Anticholinergics

Slow smooth muscle functions - digestive secretions, saliva, and relax the GI tract. Buscopan

Antiperistaltics

Slows the peristaltic contractions of digestion and increase transit time of food; reduces diarrhea. Imodium

Bronchodilators

Operate specifically on the smooth muscles of respiratory system and allow increased passage of air to and from the lungs. Ventolin

Cathartics

Increase peristalsis, promote defecation, and are typically used in bowel preps for GI exams. Magnesium citrate, Dulcolax

Diuretics

Stimulate body to create more urine and reduce fluid load in the body. Lasix (water pill)

Antidiabetics

Assist in the control of blood sugar levels. Insulin, Metformin

Antihypertensives & Beta Blockers

Reduce blood pressure.

Antidepressants

Many different categories with varied effects/side effects. Assist with signs and symptoms of depression. Prozac, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta

Adrenaline (epinephrine)

Vasoconstrictor. Stimulate the sympathetic nervous system causing bronchodilation, vasoconstriction and cardiac stimulation.

Tylenol (acetaminophen)

Analgesic. Relieve pain, without loss of consciousness.

Apsirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

DUAL PURPOSE MEDICATION

Analgesic. Relieve pain, without loss of consciousness.

Anticoagulant. Inhibit the clotting mechanism of blood; used to keep IV lines and arterial catheters open during diagnostic procedures and to prevent blood clots following heart attack or stroke.

Advil (ibuprofin)

Analgesic. Relieve pain, without loss of consciousness.

Xylocaine (lidocaine)

Anesthetic. Injected to reduce the discomfort of medical procedures. Eliminates the transmission of pain signals to the brain.

Coumadin (warfarin)

Anticoagulant. Inhibit the clotting mechanism of blood; used to keep IV lines and arterial catheters open during diagnostic procedures and to prevent blood clots following heart attack or stroke.

Prozac (fluoxetine)

Antidepressant. Used to relieve or prevent depression/anxiety.

Insulin

Antidiabetic (hypoglycemic.) Required for patients who have difficulty maintaining proper blood sugar balance.

Glucophage (metformin)

Antidiabetic (hypoglycemic.) Required for patients who have difficulty maintaining proper blood sugar balance.

Benadryl (diphendydramine)

Antihistamine. Relieves the symptoms of allergic rxns.

Prinivil (lisinopril)

Antihypertensives/Beta-blockers. Reduces blood pressure.

Lopressor (metoprolol)

Antihypertensives/Beta-blockers. Reduces blood pressure.

Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide)

Anticholinergics/antispasmodics. Depress the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce spasms of smooth muscle tissue and decrease contractions, saliva, bronchial mucus and digestive secretions. Used in preparation for surgery and endoscopy to suppress secretions.

atropine

Anticholinergics/antispasmodics. Depress the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce spasms of smooth muscle tissue and decrease contractions, saliva, bronchial mucus and digestive secretions. Used in preparation for surgery and endoscopy to suppress secretions.

IN EMERGECY MED: counteracts the parasympathetic nervous system (shuts it down) and increases HR.

Imodium (loperamide)

Antiperistaltics. Slow peristalsis of GI tract/reduce diarrhea.

Ventolin (albuterol)

Bronchodilator. Dilate smooth muscle, used to treat asthma attacks and some allergic rxns.

magnesium citrate

Cathartics. Stimulate peristalsis and promote defecation.

Omnipaque/Isovue

Contrast agents. Used to enhance presentation of a structure, organ, etc. during diagnostic imaging.

Lasix (furosemide)

Diuretic. Stimulate the creation of urine.

NaCl (normal saline)

Fluids/electrolytes. Provide balance of body fluids, electrolytes and nutrients; used to treat and prevent dehydration.

Triamcinolone (cortisone)

Glucocorticoids. Synthetic versions of natural glucocorticoids created in the liver. Interrupt the body’s inflammatory response.

Advil (ibuprofen)

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.) Synthetic versions of natural glucocorticoids created in the liver. Interrupt the body’s inflammatory response.

Aleve (naproxen)

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.) Synthetic versions of natural glucocorticoids created in the liver. Interrupt the body’s inflammatory response.

morphine

Narcotics/opioids. Stimulate central nervous system receptors known as opioid receptors, causing a decrease in the perception of pain.

Ativan (lorazepam)

Sedative/tranquilizer/antianxiety. Depress and relax the CNS and reduce mental activity. There are multiple classes within the sedative category.

Intropin (dopamine)

Vasodilator. Relax the walls of blood vessels, permitting a greater flow of blood.

Naxalone (Narcan)

Counteracts the effects of opiate medications. Administered if sedation causes respiratory distress or arrest, whether due to drug rxns or illicit drug use/overdose.

BID

Twice daily.

TID

Three times daily.

SID

Once daily.

QID

Four times daily.

PRN

As needed.

PO

By mouth,

qh

Every hour.

q2h

Every 2 hours.

Topical/transdermal

Medication applied directly to the skin. Slow acting, long duration. Applied for local effect.

Enteral - oral

Administered directly into GI tract via swallowing; most common. Absorbed through stomach and/or small bowel. Can be liquid or solid, most cost effective. Slow acting with long duration (20-60min.)

Enteral - rectal

Applied rectally. Used when pt unable to swallow or retain materials delivered orally (extreme nausea/vomiting, or confused patients/children.) Dose unreliable, bowel may expel the medication before complete dose achieved.

Sublingual

Under the tongue. Medication absorbed via the blood vessels in the mucous membranes of the mouth; much faster absorption and effect than either oral or topical administration (10-15 min.) Common for emergency medications/when you cannot wait for effects.

Buccal

Inside the cheek pouch. Medication absorbed via the blood vessels in the mucous membranes of the mouth; much faster absorption and effect than either oral or topical administration (10-15 min.) Common for emergency medications/when you cannot wait for effects.

Parenteral

Injected directly into the body. Includes intradermal, SQ, IM, IV, intra-arterial, intrathecal, and intra-articular. Invasive, requires informed consent and special training to administer.

Intradermal

Between layers of the skin; usually anterior surface of forearm. Small quantities and a very small needle, injected at a shallow angle. Slow acting.

Subcutaneous (SQ)

Injected into the subcutaneous fat layer, under skin/above muscle. Usually done on anterior surface of abdomen, lateral upper arm, or lateral thigh. Can be painful with large volumes. Faster than intradermal, but slower than IM.

Intramuscular (IM)

Injected directly into muscle tissue (ie. vaccines.) Larger amounts can be given than intradermal/SQ. Injected into deltoid or gluteal muscles. Slower absorpton and effect, faster than SC, but longer lasting. MUST avoid blood vessels, bones, and nerves.

Intravenous (IV)

Injected directly into the vein. Extremely rapid effect, but short duration. Cannot change once it’s been injected; high potential for introducing an infection.

Intra-arterial

Injected directly into an artery. Usually used when you want the effect for a specific organ (ie. chemotherapy.)

Intrathecal

Injection into the spinal subarachnoid space, pase BBB, directly where cerebrospinal fluid is (ie. lumbar puncture.)

Intra-articular

Injected directly within the joint. Corticosteroid inj to treat pain

Therapeutic effect

Expected effect of medication. Drug binds to the appropriate receptor sites; medication acts as expected & intended.

Side effect

Expected effect of medication. Predictable and expected, though not the desired effect. Different for every pt.

Adverse effect

Unexpected and undesired effect of the medication.

Allergic response

Unexpected effect of medication. Histamine rxn to a component of medication; may be to either active medical ingredient or binding agent.

Idiosyncratic effect

Unexpected effect of medication. Unusual rxn - over or under reaction to medication. Sometimes the exact opposite of intended rxn; unique to individual.

Toxic effect

Unexpected effect of medication. Often dose or condition dependent: overdose, impaired metabolism, nephrotoxic (kidneys), or hepatotoxic (liver)

Carcinogenic

Substance that is known to cause cancer, even potentially

Teratogenic

Substance that causes congenital abnormalities. ie. Thalidomide for morning sickness in pregnancy, accutane for acne.