Flashcards Nursing Pharmacology: 49 Medicines by Class and Clinical Use

What is the medicine class of Penicillin G?

Natural penicillin; beta-lactam antibiotic

What are the specific indications for Penicillin G?

Syphilis, streptococcal infections, susceptible meningitis, certain endocarditis

What is a major contraindication for Penicillin G?

Serious penicillin hypersensitivity

What is the mechanism of action of Cefazolin?

Inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis; bactericidal

What are the specific indications for Cefazolin?

Surgical prophylaxis; skin/soft-tissue, bone/joint, and MSSA infections

What is the medicine class of Tetracycline?

Tetracycline antibiotic

What is the mechanism of action of Tetracycline?

Binds bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting protein synthesis; mainly bacteriostatic

What are the contraindications for Tetracycline?

Avoid in pregnancy and generally in children under 8

What is the specific indication for Erythromycin?

Susceptible respiratory/skin infections, pertussis, and selected alternatives to penicillin

What is the mechanism of action of Erythromycin?

Binds the 50S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting protein synthesis; mainly bacteriostatic

What are the adverse effects of Gentamicin?

Nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neuromuscular blockade

What is the specific indication for Gentamicin?

Severe Gram-negative infections, sepsis, complicated UTI, pyelonephritis

What should be monitored when administering Gentamicin?

Creatinine, urine output, hearing, balance, and drug levels

What is the health education for patients taking Penicillin G?

Complete the course; report swelling, breathing difficulty, or severe rash immediately

What is the health education for patients taking Tetracycline?

Use sunscreen, take with a full glass of water, do not lie down straight away, separate from dairy and minerals

What is the schedule classification for Cefazolin?

Schedule: S4

What is the administration route for Erythromycin?

Oral or IV; follow formulation-specific food guidance

What is the mechanism of action of Gentamicin?

Irreversibly binds bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit, causing incorrect proteins; bactericidal

What are the special population considerations for Tetracycline?

Generally avoid in children under 8 and in pregnancy due to fetal teeth/bone effects

What is the health education for patients taking Erythromycin?

Complete treatment; report palpitations, fainting, jaundice, or severe diarrhoea

What are the adverse effects of Cefazolin?

Nausea, diarrhoea, rash, anaphylaxis, phlebitis, and C. difficile

What is the specific indication for Amoxicillin-clavulanate?

Not specified in the notes, but generally used for various bacterial infections

What is the mechanism of action of Meropenem?

Not specified in the notes, but generally a broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotic

What is the schedule classification for Tetracycline?

Schedule: S4

What is the health education for patients taking Gentamicin?

Report tinnitus, hearing loss, dizziness, or reduced urine output; explain blood monitoring and hydration

What are the contraindications for Erythromycin?

Macrolide allergy and important interacting medicines

What is the health education for patients taking Cefazolin?

Explain surgical prevention; report allergic reactions or severe diarrhoea; complete treatment

What is the mechanism of action of Ciprofloxacin?

Not specified in the notes, but generally a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase

What are the specific indications for Ibuprofen?

Not specified in the notes, but generally used for pain relief and inflammation

What is the health education for patients taking Metformin?

Not specified in the notes, but generally includes dietary considerations and monitoring for side effects

What is the primary risk associated with elderly patients taking medications?

High kidney and hearing risk.

Why should pregnant women avoid certain medications?

Due to fetal ototoxicity risk.

What symptoms should patients report when taking medications affecting kidney function?

Tinnitus, hearing loss, dizziness, or reduced urine output.

What class of antibiotic is Ciprofloxacin?

Fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

What are the specific indications for Ciprofloxacin?

Complicated UTI, pyelonephritis, bacterial prostatitis, selected gastrointestinal and Pseudomonas infections.

What are the contraindications for Ciprofloxacin?

Fluoroquinolone hypersensitivity and concurrent tizanidine use.

What should be monitored when administering Ciprofloxacin?

Tendons, neurological symptoms, glucose, and renal function.

What is the medicine class of Co-trimoxazole?

Sulphonamide + trimethoprim combination antibiotic.

What is the mechanism of action of Co-trimoxazole?

Blocks sequential steps of bacterial folate synthesis, often bactericidal in combination.

What are the specific indications for Co-trimoxazole?

Susceptible UTI, selected pyelonephritis, skin/GI infections, and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.

What adverse effects should be monitored with Co-trimoxazole?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome, marrow suppression, hyperkalaemia, and renal complications.

What is the medicine class of Meropenem?

Carbapenem; broad-spectrum beta-lactam.

What are the specific indications for Meropenem?

Severe abdominal, skin/soft tissue, resistant Gram-negative infections, and bacterial meningitis.

What should be monitored when administering Meropenem?

Kidney function, CBC, and neurological status.

What is the medicine class of Nitrofurantoin?

Nitrofuran urinary antibiotic.

What is the mechanism of action of Nitrofurantoin?

Reactive metabolites damage bacterial DNA, proteins, and other components; bactericidal in urine.

What are the specific indications for Nitrofurantoin?

Acute uncomplicated cystitis and selected lower-UTI prophylaxis; NOT pyelonephritis.

What are the contraindications for Nitrofurantoin?

Significant renal impairment, hypersensitivity, term/labour.

What is the medicine class of Fosfomycin?

Phosphonic acid antibiotic.

What is the mechanism of action of Fosfomycin?

Inhibits MurA, blocking early bacterial cell-wall synthesis; bactericidal.

What are the specific indications for Fosfomycin?

Acute uncomplicated cystitis and susceptible resistant lower UTI; NOT pyelonephritis with oral formulation.

What is the medicine class of Amoxicillin-clavulanate?

Aminopenicillin + beta-lactamase inhibitor.

What is the mechanism of action of Amoxicillin-clavulanate?

Amoxicillin inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis; clavulanate inhibits some beta-lactamases.

What are the specific indications for Amoxicillin-clavulanate?

Susceptible UTIs, selected pyelonephritis, respiratory and skin/soft-tissue infections.

What should be monitored when administering Amoxicillin-clavulanate?

Bowel, allergy, liver, and kidney function.

What is the medicine class of Cefalexin?

First-generation cephalosporin.

What is the mechanism of action of Cefalexin?

Binds penicillin-binding proteins and prevents cell-wall cross-linking; bactericidal.

What are the specific indications for Cefalexin?

Susceptible uncomplicated UTI, selected upper UTI, skin, and certain respiratory infections.

What class of medication is Ceftriaxone?

Third-generation cephalosporin

What is the mechanism of action of Ceftriaxone?

Inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis via penicillin-binding proteins; bactericidal.

What are the specific indications for Ceftriaxone?

Pyelonephritis, complicated UTI, urosepsis, meningitis, and gonorrhoea.

What are the contraindications for Ceftriaxone?

Severe cephalosporin allergy and certain neonatal contraindications.

What adverse effects should be monitored when administering Ceftriaxone?

Diarrhoea, allergy, biliary sludge, injection-site pain.

What special considerations are there for children when using Ceftriaxone?

Weight-based dosing and avoiding certain neonatal situations.

What is the medicine class of Paracetamol?

Non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic.

What is the primary mechanism of action of Paracetamol?

Acts centrally to reduce pain signaling and fever.

What are the specific indications for Paracetamol?

Mild-moderate pain, fever, headache, and adjunct to postoperative analgesia.

What are the contraindications for Paracetamol?

Severe active liver disease or hypersensitivity.

What is a major risk associated with Paracetamol overdose?

Severe hepatotoxicity.

What class of medication is Aspirin?

Salicylate NSAID; antiplatelet.

What is the mechanism of action of Aspirin?

Irreversibly inhibits COX-1/COX-2, reducing pain, inflammation, fever, and platelet aggregation.

What are the specific indications for Aspirin?

Mild pain, fever, inflammation; antiplatelet therapy in cardiovascular indications.

What are the contraindications for Aspirin?

Active GI bleeding/ulcers, NSAID sensitivity, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

What adverse effects should be monitored when administering Aspirin?

Bleeding, ulcer, bronchospasm, tinnitus.

What is the medicine class of Ibuprofen?

NSAID; reversible COX inhibitor.

What is the mechanism of action of Ibuprofen?

Reversibly inhibits COX-1/COX-2, reducing prostaglandins; analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic.

What are the contraindications for Ibuprofen?

GI bleeding, active ulcer, NSAID allergy, significant renal/cardiovascular disease.

What is the medicine class of Codeine?

Opioid analgesic.

What is the mechanism of action of Codeine?

Metabolised by CYP2D6 to morphine, activating mu-opioid receptors to reduce pain perception.

What are the specific indications for Codeine?

Selected short-term moderate pain; certain licensed antitussive preparations.

What are the contraindications for Codeine?

Respiratory depression, acute severe uncontrolled asthma, under age 12, breastfeeding.

What is the medicine class of Morphine sulphate?

Strong opioid analgesic.

What is the mechanism of action of Morphine sulphate?

Activates mu-opioid receptors, decreasing transmission and perception of pain.

What are the specific indications for Morphine sulphate?

Severe postoperative, trauma, cancer pain; palliative care pain and selected dyspnoea.

What are the contraindications for Morphine sulphate?

Significant respiratory depression, unmonitored acute severe asthma, and ileus.

What is the medicine class of Tramadol?

Centrally acting opioid with monoamine reuptake inhibition.

What is the mechanism of action of Tramadol?

Mu-opioid receptor activity and inhibition of serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake reduce pain transmission.

What are the specific indications for Tramadol?

Selected moderate to moderately severe acute/chronic pain.

What should be monitored in patients taking seizure medications?

Seizure symptoms, respiratory rate (RR), and alertness.

What is the contraindication for children regarding seizure medications?

Contraindicated under 12 years of age.

What health education should be provided to patients on seizure medications?

Avoid alcohol/sedatives, report fever, tremor, agitation, rigidity, or seizures, and do not stop abruptly after prolonged use.

What is the medicine class of Hydromorphone?

Potent strong opioid.

What is the primary mechanism of action for Hydromorphone?

Activates CNS mu-opioid receptors, reducing perception and transmission of pain.

What are the specific indications for using Hydromorphone?

Severe acute/postoperative/cancer pain and selected severe chronic pain.

What are the contraindications for Hydromorphone?

Respiratory depression, acute severe unmonitored asthma, ileus.

What should be monitored when administering Hydromorphone?

Respiration, sedation, blood pressure (BP), and pain.

What is the medicine class of Furosemide?

Loop diuretic; potassium-wasting.

What is the mechanism of action for Furosemide?

Blocks Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter in the thick ascending loop of Henle, increasing water and electrolyte excretion.

What are the specific indications for Furosemide?

Fluid overload in left/right heart failure, pulmonary edema, peripheral and renal/hepatic edema.

What are the contraindications for Furosemide?

Anuria unresponsive to treatment, hypovolemia, severe electrolyte depletion.