Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Chemotherapy, Antimicrobials & Microbiology Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts in cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, chemotherapy, and antimicrobial topics.

Hypertension

A condition defined by persistently elevated arterial pressure.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

The system primarily targeted by ACE inhibitors.

Vasodilation

The effect of blocking angiotensin II.

Diuretics

A drug class that promotes sodium and water excretion.

Decreased heart rate and contractility

The primary cardiac effect of beta blockers.

Beta-1 and Beta-2 receptors

Receptors blocked by non-selective beta blockers.

Bronchoconstriction

The risk of non-selective beta blockers in respiratory patients.

Calcium channel blockers

The drug class that reduces calcium entry in vascular smooth muscle.

Vasodilation

Result of reduced intracellular calcium in vessels.

Angina pectoris

The condition resulting from myocardial oxygen imbalance.

Stable angina

Angina that occurs during exertion.

Variant angina

Angina due to coronary vasospasm.

Unstable angina

Type of angina considered a medical emergency.

Nitroglycerin

The drug used for immediate relief of angina.

Vasodilation

The mechanism of nitroglycerin.

Sublingual

The route that provides a rapid effect of nitroglycerin.

Sodium channels

The ion channel blocked by Class I antiarrhythmics.

Beta blockers

Drugs classified as Class II antiarrhythmics.

Prolong repolarization

The main action of Class III antiarrhythmics.

Class IV

The class that includes calcium channel blockers in arrhythmia treatment.

Congestive heart failure

Condition involving reduced cardiac output and fluid buildup.

Positive inotropic effect

The action of digoxin in congestive heart failure.

Increased contractility

What “positive inotropic” means.

Reduce fluid overload

Why diuretics are used in heart failure.

Intravenous

Route of administration for heparin.

Oral

Route of administration for warfarin.

Antiplatelet

Type of drug that aspirin is in clot prevention.

Dissolve existing clots

Function of thrombolytic agents.

Bleeding

The most dangerous side effect of anticoagulants.

Statins

Drug class that lowers cholesterol synthesis.

HMG-CoA reductase

The enzyme inhibited by statins.

Myopathy

A major adverse effect of statins.

Rhabdomyolysis

Another serious complication of statins.

Hypokalemia

An electrolyte imbalance common with diuretics.

Potassium-sparing diuretics

Type of diuretic that spares potassium.

Non-productive cough

Type of cough treated by antitussives.

Alpha-1 receptor

Receptor targeted by decongestants.

Vasoconstriction

Effect of alpha-1 stimulation in the nose.

Hypertension

A common side effect of decongestants.

H1 receptors

Receptors blocked by antihistamines.

They cross the blood-brain barrier

Why first-generation antihistamines cause drowsiness.

Break down mucus

Function of mucolytics.

Reduces mucus viscosity

Mechanism of acetylcysteine.

Guaifenesin

The only FDA-approved expectorant.

Promote mucus expulsion

What expectorants do.

Beta-2 receptor

Receptor stimulated by beta-2 agonists.

Bronchodilation

Effect of beta-2 stimulation.

Tremors

A common side effect of beta-2 agonists.

Inhalation

Preferred delivery route for bronchodilators.

Narrow therapeutic index

A major concern with theophylline.

High risk of toxicity

What narrow therapeutic index means.

Inhibit bronchoconstriction

Action of anticholinergics in COPD.

Anticholinergics

The first-line drug for COPD.

Anti-inflammatory

The role of glucocorticoids in asthma.

Osteoporosis

A long-term risk of corticosteroid use.

Inflammation and bronchoconstriction

What leukotrienes promote.

Block inflammatory mediators

What leukotriene inhibitors do.

Prevent mast cell degranulation

Role of cromolyn.

Short-acting beta-agonist

Drug used for acute asthma attacks.

Improve airflow and reduce symptoms

Goal of COPD management.

Nausea and vomiting

What antiemetics treat.

Serotonin (5-HT3)

Receptor that ondansetron blocks.

Dopamine

Receptor that metoclopramide blocks.

Motion sickness

What dimenhydrinate is commonly used for.

Gas

What simethicone is used to relieve.

Bulk-forming laxative

Type of laxative that psyllium is.

Diarrhea

What loperamide treats.

Neutralize gastric acid

Mechanism of antacids.

Histamine-mediated acid secretion

What H2 blockers inhibit.

Hydrogen-potassium ATPase pump

What proton pump inhibitors block.

Proton pump inhibitors

The most potent acid-reducing drug class.

Rapidly dividing cells

What cells are targeted by chemotherapy.

Myelosuppression

A common adverse effect of chemotherapy.

Bone marrow

What myelosuppression affects.

Hair loss

What alopecia refers to.

GI mucosal damage

Why chemotherapy causes nausea.

DNA

What alkylating agents damage.

Folic acid metabolism

What methotrexate inhibits.

Pulmonary fibrosis

A toxicity of bleomycin.

Cardiotoxicity

A toxicity of doxorubicin.

Peripheral neuropathy

A toxicity of vincristine.

Inhibit bacterial growth

What bacteriostatic drugs do.

Kill bacteria

What bactericidal drugs do.

Thick peptidoglycan wall

The main difference between gram-positive bacteria.

Retain crystal violet

What happens to gram-positive bacteria in staining.

DNA or RNA with protein coat

What viruses are composed of.

Cannot replicate independently

Why viruses are considered non-living.

Eukaryotic organisms

What type of organisms fungi are.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

What causes tuberculosis.

Immune system

The system primarily attacked by HIV.

CD4+ T cells

What cells are destroyed by HIV.

Immunodeficiency

Result of CD4 depletion.

Severe hypotension

The danger of combining nitrates with sildenafil.

INR

Lab value monitored with warfarin.

Protamine sulfate

Antidote used for heparin overdose.

Vitamin K

Antidote used for warfarin overdose.

Potassium

Electrolyte that must be monitored with digoxin.

Arrhythmias

What happens in digoxin toxicity.

Yellow vision (xanthopsia)

Sign of digoxin toxicity.

Worsening nasal congestion after decongestant overuse

What rebound congestion is.