50 Most Common Medications for NCLEX – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the 50 most common medications for NCLEX preparation, including drug class, primary use, and high-yield nursing considerations.

Amlodipine

Calcium-channel blocker for hypertension; watch for peripheral edema.

Furosemide

Loop diuretic for edema or hypertension; monitor potassium and beware of ototoxicity at high doses.

Lisinopril

ACE inhibitor (-pril) for hypertension/heart failure; risk of cough, angioedema, hyperkalemia.

Losartan

ARB (-sartan) for hypertension/heart failure; ACE-like effects but no dry cough.

Metoprolol

β-blocker for hypertension, heart failure, angina; hold if heart rate < 60 bpm.

Adenosine

Antidysrhythmic for SVT; causes brief asystole—continuous telemetry required.

Amiodarone

Antidysrhythmic for ventricular arrhythmias; monitor for pulmonary and liver toxicity.

Atorvastatin

Statin for hyperlipidemia; monitor liver enzymes, report muscle pain (rhabdomyolysis).

Digoxin

Cardiac glycoside for HF/A-fib; hold if apical pulse < 60 bpm; toxicity causes GI & vision changes.

Nitroglycerin

Nitrate for angina; common headache and hypotension.

Clopidogrel

Antiplatelet to prevent clots; increases bleeding risk.

Enoxaparin

Low-molecular-weight heparin for DVT/PE; no PTT monitoring needed.

Heparin

Anticoagulant for DVT/PE; monitor PTT; antidote is protamine sulfate.

Warfarin

Oral anticoagulant; monitor INR and limit vitamin-K-rich foods.

Insulin (Lispro, Regular, NPH, Glargine)

Hormone for type 1 & 2 DM; watch for hypoglycemia—Regular IV for DKA, Glargine has no peak.

Glipizide

Sulfonylurea for type 2 DM; risk of hypoglycemia, take with food, check for sulfa allergy.

Metformin

Biguanide for type 2 DM; no hypoglycemia but risk of lactic acidosis.

Albuterol

Short-acting β-agonist for acute asthma/COPD; may cause tachycardia.

Fluticasone

Inhaled corticosteroid for asthma/allergies; rinse mouth to prevent thrush.

Ipratropium

Anticholinergic bronchodilator for COPD/asthma; common dry mouth.

Montelukast

Leukotriene receptor antagonist for asthma/allergy prophylaxis; take at night.

Salmeterol

Long-acting β-agonist for maintenance of asthma/COPD; not for acute attacks.

Acetaminophen

Analgesic/antipyretic; max 4 g/day, antidote is acetylcysteine; caution with liver disease.

Ibuprofen

NSAID analgesic; take with food, increases GI bleeding risk.

Morphine

Opioid for severe pain; monitor LOC and respiratory rate; antidote naloxone.

Oxycodone

Opioid for moderate-severe pain; monitor for respiratory depression; short-term use preferred.

Docusate Sodium

Stool softener that promotes bowel movements in constipation.

Pantoprazole

Proton-pump inhibitor for GERD; take before first meal; long-term use raises fracture risk.

Alprazolam

Benzodiazepine for anxiety/panic; risk of dependence—taper slowly.

Donepezil

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor for mild-moderate Alzheimer’s; take at bedtime; GI upset possible.

Fluoxetine

SSRI for depression/anxiety; 4–6 weeks for effect; monitor for serotonin syndrome.

Gabapentin

Anticonvulsant for seizures/neuropathic pain; taper off; avoid alcohol.

Haloperidol

Typical antipsychotic for schizophrenia/psychosis; watch EPS, QT prolongation, NMS.

Lithium

Mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder; therapeutic 0.6–1.2 mEq/L; avoid dehydration/sodium loss.

Olanzapine

Atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia/bipolar; monitor weight, metabolic syndrome.

Memantine

NMDA receptor antagonist for moderate-severe Alzheimer’s; may cause dizziness or rash.

Phenytoin

Hydantoin anticonvulsant; therapeutic 10–20 mcg/mL; causes gingival hyperplasia.

Zolpidem

Non-benzodiazepine hypnotic for insomnia; short-term use; avoid CNS depressants.

Azithromycin

Macrolide antibiotic; may prolong QT; take on an empty stomach.

Ciprofloxacin

Fluoroquinolone antibiotic; risk of tendon rupture—avoid in children.

Gentamicin

Aminoglycoside for serious infections; monitor for oto- and nephrotoxicity.

Metronidazole

Nitroimidazole antibiotic for anaerobic/C. difficile infections; no alcohol (disulfiram reaction).

Vancomycin

Glycopeptide for MRSA/C. difficile; monitor trough levels and red man syndrome.

Methylergonovine

Uterotonic to prevent or treat postpartum hemorrhage; contraindicated in hypertension.

Oxytocin

Uterotonic to induce labor or control postpartum bleeding; monitor uterine contractions & fetus.

Levothyroxine

Synthetic thyroid hormone for hypothyroidism; take on empty stomach in the morning.

Epoetin Alfa

Biologic that stimulates RBC production in anemia; monitor hemoglobin; may cause hypertension.

Potassium Chloride

Electrolyte replacement for hypokalemia; never IV push—dilute and monitor cardiac rhythm.

Methotrexate

Folic-acid antagonist for RA and cancer; teratogenic; monitor liver function and bone marrow.