Medication Administration Flashcards

What is the mechanism of action for a diuretic?

Increase urine production by inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to increased excretion of water and electrolytes.

What are diuretics used for?

Essential in treating conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, and edema.

What is the pharmacology category of diuretics?

Loop diuretics, potassium-sparing diuretics, and thiazide diuretics.

What are some side effects of diuretics?

Electrolyte imbalance, headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, upset stomach.

What are the contradictions with diuretics?

Do not give this medication if the patient has dehydration, anuria, electrolyte imbalance, or chronic kidney disease.

What are some interactions and complications with diuretics?

May cause electrolyte imbalances.

How do you evaluate the effectiveness of a diuretic?

Check the patients weight daily, along with urine sodium analysis. Patient may also have an increased urinary output to show effectiveness.

What is the mechanism of action for a steroid?

Binds to specific receptors in cells, leading to changes in gene expression that modulate inflammation and immune responses.

What are steroids used for?

Used for various medical purposes, including treating inflammation, hormone deficiencies, and certain cancers.

What is the pharmacology category of steroids?

Corticosteroids, estrogens, progestogens, and anabolic-androgenic steroids.

What are some side effects of steroids?

Increased appetite, acne, mood changes/mood swings, difficulty sleeping.

What are the contradictions with steroids?

Do not give this medication if the patient has systemic fungal or viral infections, osteoporosis, or diabetes mellitus.

What are some interactions and complications with steroids?

May increase infection risk, cause bone and joint issues (osteoporosis, fracture risk), and result in metabolic issues (weight gain).

How do you evaluate the effectiveness of a steroid?

Check the patient’s hormonal profile and blood count. Also check for decreased WBC if prescribed for an infection.

What is the mechanism of action for a heparin?

Enhances the activity of antithrombin III, which inhibits key coagulation factors, thereby preventing blood clot formation.

What is heparin used for?

Used as an anticoagulant to prevent and treat blood clots in various medical conditions and procedures.

What is the pharmacology category of heparin?

Anticoagulant

What are some side effects of heparin?

Bruising, bleeding easier, low platelet count.

What are the contradictions with heparin?

Do not give this medication if the patient has uncontrolled bleeding, low platelet count, or recent major surgery.

What are some interactions and complications with heparin?

May increase the risk for bleeding, this risk heightens when combined with NSAIDs and certain antibiotics.

How do you evaluate the effectiveness of heparin?

Check the patient’s platelet count.

What is a TB test for?

Measures the immune system's response to a tuberculin solution injected under the skin.

What are some side effects of a TB test?

Redness, swelling, itching, and tenderness localized to the site of injection.

What are some interactions and complications with TB tests?

Should not be given within a month’s range of live vaccines, avoid testing patients with weakened immune systems. May also result in false positives.

How do you evaluate the effectiveness of a TB test?

Check the injection site for a wheal, along with documenting the positive or negative result 48-72 hours later.

What is the mechanism of action for nitroglycerin?

Acts as a vasodilator by converting to nitric oxide (NO), which relaxes vascular smooth muscle and reduces cardiac workload.

What is nitroglycerin used for?

Primarily used to treat angina (chest pain) caused by coronary artery disease, as well as to manage high blood pressure during surgery.

What is the pharmacology category of nitroglycerin?

Nitrate vasodilator

What are some side effects of nitroglycerin?

Dizziness, headache, flushing, blurred vision, nausea, and dry mouth.

What are the contradictions with nitroglycerin?

Do not give this medication if the patient has severe anemia, blood circulation problems, or increased intracranial pressure.

What are some interactions and complications with nitroglycerin?

May combine with other medications like Viagra or Cialis resulting in a sudden drop in BP. Potentially worsens cardiac issues or even creating cardiovascular events.

How do you evaluate the effectiveness of nitroglycerin?

Patient reports a cessation of chest pain, vitals (BP, HR) will also show the drug’s effects.