Drug Therapy and NCLEX Pharmacology Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering major drug classifications, mechanisms of action, and specific nursing considerations from the lecture notes.

Mechanism of Action

How drugs work at a cellular or molecular level, such as interacting with specific receptors, enzymes, or ion channels to produce their effects.

Systemic Effects

How cellular or molecular drug actions translate into effects on an entire organ system, such as altering blood pressure or heart rate.

Antacids

Medications that reduce hydrochloric acid located in the stomach.

Antianemics

Medications that increase the production of red blood cells.

Anticholinergics

Medications that block acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, decreasing oral secretions and reducing SLUDD (salivation, lacrimation, urination, digestion, defecation).

Anticoagulants

Medications that prevent blood clot formation by inhibiting various factors in the coagulation cascade.

Anticonvulsants

Medications used for the management of seizures or bipolar disorders.

Antidiarrheals

Medications that reduce water in the bowels and decrease gastric motility.

Antihistamines

Medications that block the release of histamine.

Antihypertensives

Medications used to lower high blood pressure to reduce the risk of complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and heart failure.

ACE Inhibitors

An antihypertensive drug family with generic names ending in -pril (e.g., Lisinopril, Captopril, Enalapril, Benazepril) that cannot be taken by someone with renal failure or on dialysis.

Bronchodilators

Medications that dilate the bronchi and bronchioles to improve oxygenation, with adrenergic agents typically ending in -erol.

Diuretics

Medications that increase the excretion of water and sodium from the body.

Laxatives

Medications that loosen stools and increase bowel movements.

Miotics

Medications that constrict the pupils of the eye.

Mydriatics

Medications that dilate the pupils of the eye.

Corticosteroids

Medications used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, typically ending in -asone, -isone, -ide, or -olone.

Prednisone

The most frequently seen systemic corticosteroid, which has the potential to affect the entire body and cause hyperglycemia and delayed wound healing.

Inhaled Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids with localized effects that place patients at a high risk of developing thrush if the mouth is not properly rinsed out after use.

Thrombolytic Therapy

Therapy using medications that break blood clots (usually ending in -plase or -kinase, such as tPA, alteplase, and streptokinase) to re-establish blood flow and limit tissue damage.

Opioids

Analgesic medications (e.g., Morphine, Oxycodone, Hydromorphone, Fentanyl, Codeine) indicated for moderate to severe pain that bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to decrease pain perception.

Naloxone (Narcan)

An antidote that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose if administered in time.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs that inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, reducing the synthesis of prostaglandins that mediate inflammation, pain, and fever.

Diphenhydramine

A First-Generation Antihistamine requiring monitoring for sedation levels and anticholinergic effects like dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, and blurred vision.

Loratadine (Claritin)

A Second-Generation Antihistamine requiring monitoring for allergic response relief, hepatic function, and rare sedation.