Super-Simple Medication Memory Guide Weeks 5–8

Complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, hematologic, and lipid-lowering pharmacology from Weeks 5 through 8.

Albuterol

Opens airways fast as a rescue inhaler. The nurse checks breathing and heart rate. Signature dangers include tremor and fast heart rate.

Ipratropium

Opens airways by blocking acetylcholine. The nurse checks breathing and ensures mist stays out of the eyes. Signature dangers include dry mouth and urinary retention.

Budesonide

Calms airway inflammation as a controller inhaler, not for rescue. The nurse ensures regular use and instructs patient to rinse and spit. Signature dangers include thrush and a hoarse voice.

Zafirlukast

Prevents asthma symptoms by blocking leukotrienes; not used for an acute attack. The nurse monitors liver status. Signature dangers include liver injury and mood or behavior changes.

Theophylline

Relaxes airway muscle through a caffeine-like effect. The nurse checks blood levels (target: $10\text{--}20\,\text{mcg/mL}$). Signature dangers include toxicity manifesting as dangerous heart rhythms and seizures.

Dextromethorphan

Turns down dry cough. The nurse checks other medications and avoids concurrent alcohol or sedatives. Signature dangers include sleepiness and interactions with SSRIs, SNRIs, and MAOIs.

Oxymetazoline

Nasal spray that shrinks swollen nasal tissue. The nurse reinforces using it for a maximum of $3\text{--}5\,\text{days}$. Signature danger is rebound congestion.

Pseudoephedrine

Oral decongestant that shrinks nasal blood vessels. The nurse checks BP and exercises caution in HTN, CAD, glaucoma, and BPH. Signature dangers include high BP, fast heart rate, and insomnia.

Fluticasone

Calms nasal allergy inflammation. The nurse instructs to use regularly and spray away from the nasal septum. Signature dangers include nosebleeds, dryness, and slow onset.

Diphenhydramine

Blocks histamine to provide allergy relief. The nurse advises avoiding driving and alcohol, with close monitoring of older adults. Signature dangers include profound sleepiness, anticholinergic dryness, urinary retention, and confusion.

Guaifenesin

Thins mucus so it can be coughed up. The nurse provides a full glass of water if allowed. Signature effects and warnings include GI upset and the cough becoming more productive.

Acetylcysteine

Breaks up thick mucus and functions as an APAP-overdose antidote. The nurse must not mix the nebulizer solution with other medications. Signature dangers include a sulfur smell and bronchospasm risk.

Hydrochlorothiazide

Removes salt and water to lower blood pressure. The nurse monitors blood pressure and potassium levels. Signature dangers include low $K^+$ and gout or high uric acid.

Furosemide

Strong fluid-removing loop diuretic. The nurse assesses blood pressure, daily weight, I&O, potassium levels, and hearing. Signature dangers include low $K^+$ and hearing damage.

Spironolactone

Removes fluid while saving potassium. The nurse monitors $K^+$ and ensures extra potassium is avoided unless prescribed. Signature dangers include high $K^+$ and breast enlargement or tenderness.

Acetazolamide

Causes bicarbonate loss in urine; used for glaucoma and mountain sickness. The nurse checks electrolytes and acid-base balance. Signature danger is metabolic acidosis.

Mannitol

Osmotic diuretic that pulls water from tissues into blood and urine. The nurse assesses lungs, checks I&O, and inspects the vial for crystals. Signature dangers include fluid overload and pulmonary edema.

Lisinopril

ACE inhibitor that relaxes blood vessels. The nurse checks blood pressure, kidney lab panels, and potassium levels. Signature dangers include a dry cough, high $K^+$, and angioedema (face/throat swelling).

Losartan

Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that lowers blood pressure; must not be combined with an ACE inhibitor. The nurse checks BP and $K^+$. Signature danger is high $K^+$, typically without the dry cough seen in ACE inhibitors.

Sacubitril/valsartan

Heart failure agent that boosts natriuretic signals and blocks angiotensin. The nurse monitors BP, renal function, and $K^+$, ensuring a $36\text{-hour}$ gap after stopping an ACE inhibitor. Signature dangers include angioedema, hypotension, and high $K^+$.

Diltiazem

Calcium channel blocker that slows the AV node and relaxes vessels. The nurse monitors heart rate and BP while avoiding grapefruit juice. Signature dangers include a slow pulse, AV block, and peripheral swelling.

Propranolol

Nonselective beta-blocker that blocks beta-1 and beta-2 receptors to slow the heart. The nurse checks pulse and BP, exercising caution in asthma and diabetes. Signature dangers include bronchospasm and masking hypoglycemia warning signs.

Phentolamine

Alpha-receptor blocker that opens vessels; utilized for certain IV extravasations. The nurse watches blood pressure and pulse closely. Signature dangers include sudden hypotension and reflex tachycardia.

Doxazosin

Relaxes blood vessels as well as the prostate and bladder neck. The nurse checks standing blood pressure and implements fall precautions with the first dose. Signature danger is orthostatic dizziness or fainting upon standing.

Clonidine

Centrally acting agent that calms brain signals that raise blood pressure. The nurse monitors BP and instructs the patient never to discontinue therapy abruptly. Signature danger is rebound hypertensive crisis.

Hydralazine

Direct-acting vasodilator that relaxes arteries. The nurse monitors blood pressure, pulse, and signs of swelling. Signature dangers include tachycardia, fluid retention, and a lupus-like syndrome.

Midodrine

Vasopressor that squeezes vessels to raise standing blood pressure. The nurse assesses blood pressure in both standing and lying positions. Signature dangers include supine hypertension, goosebumps, and urinary retention.

Digoxin

Inotropic agent that makes heartbeats stronger while slowing heart rate. The nurse counts the apical pulse for $1\,\text{minute}$ and monitors potassium and drug levels. Signature dangers include nausea, yellow/green visual halos, and arrhythmias; hypokalemia increases toxicity risk.

Milrinone

Inotrope/vasodilator that increases cardiac contractility and relaxes vascular smooth muscle; not co-infused with furosemide in the same line. The nurse monitors ECG, BP, and corrects low $K^+$. Signature dangers include dangerous arrhythmias and low BP.

Carvedilol

Beta-blocker that slows heart rate and lowers workload in heart failure. The nurse checks pulse, blood pressure, daily weight, and swelling, advising never to stop suddenly. Signature dangers include slow pulse and low BP.

Empagliflozin

SGLT2 inhibitor that promotes the excretion of glucose and sodium in urine to assist in heart failure management. The nurse evaluates hydration, BP, kidney function, and assesses genital symptoms. Signature dangers include dehydration, genital infections, and rare ketoacidosis.

Nitroglycerin

Vasodilator that reduces chest pain and cardiac workload; strictly contraindicated with sildenafil or PDE-5 inhibitors. The nurse checks BP, has the patient sit down, and instructs them to call EMS if the first dose fails to relieve pain. Signature dangers include severe hypotension and headache.

Metoprolol

Selective beta-1 blocker that slows the heart. The nurse monitors pulse and BP and instructs against abrupt discontinuation. Signature dangers include bradycardia and masking the tachycardia warning sign of hypoglycemia.

Aspirin

Antiplatelet agent that reduces platelet aggregation; administered with food per lecture guidelines. The nurse monitors for bleeding and dark stools. Signature dangers include gastrointestinal bleeding and tinnitus at toxic doses.

Clopidogrel

Antiplatelet that blocks platelet activation; noted for an interaction with omeprazole. The nurse monitors for bleeding and reinforces not stopping post-stent without prescriber approval. Signature dangers include bleeding and rare thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

Heparin

Rapid-acting anticoagulant. The nurse monitors aPTT/anti-Xa levels and platelet counts. Signature dangers include hemorrhage and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT); antidote is protamine.

Enoxaparin

Subcutaneously injected low-molecular-weight heparin that primarily inhibits factor Xa. The nurse monitors for bleeding, tracks platelet counts, and observes spinal/epidural precautions. Signature dangers include bleeding and spinal hematoma.

Warfarin

Oral anticoagulant that blocks vitamin-K-dependent clotting factors. The nurse checks INR and instructs the patient to keep dietary greens intake consistent. Signature dangers include bleeding, purple toes syndrome, and teratogenic harm; antidote is vitamin K.

Argatroban

Direct thrombin inhibitor used as an anticoagulant alternative during HIT. The nurse discontinues heparin and monitors PTT according to guidelines. Signature danger is bleeding.

Alteplase (tPA)

Thrombolytic agent that breaks down existing fibrin clots. The nurse verifies administration timing, patient eligibility, bleeding contraindications, and minimizes invasive punctures. Signature danger is major internal bleeding, especially intracranial hemorrhage.

Aminocaproic acid

Hemostatic antifibrinolytic that prevents clots from breaking down; contraindicated in acute DIC. The nurse monitors for signs of new thrombosis. Signature danger is excessive pathological clotting or thrombosis.

Atorvastatin

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that decreases hepatic cholesterol synthesis to lower LDL; taken at night and without grapefruit juice. The nurse monitors liver enzymes and muscle symptoms. Signature dangers include rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and hepatic injury.

Cholestyramine

Bile acid sequestrant that binds bile acids in the gut to reduce cholesterol; mixed with liquid and spaced $1\,\text{hour}$ before or $4\text{--}6\,\text{hours}$ after other medications. Signature dangers include constipation and impaired absorption of vitamins A, D, E, K, and other drugs.

Ezetimibe

Cholesterol absorption inhibitor that blocks cholesterol uptake at the brush border of the small intestine. The nurse monitors liver and muscle symptoms, especially when combined with a statin. Signature dangers include muscle and liver toxicity.

Gemfibrozil

Fibrate that lowers serum triglycerides and elevates HDL; taken $30\,\text{min}$ before morning and evening meals and avoided with statins. Signature dangers include cholelithiasis (gallstones), muscle damage, and liver injury.

Epoetin alfa

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent that stimulates bone marrow production of red blood cells; warned against exceeding a hemoglobin target of $11\,\text{g/dL}$. The nurse monitors BP, hemoglobin/hematocrit, and iron status. Signature dangers include severe hypertension and thromboembolic events.

Ferrous sulfate

Iron preparation that replenishes elemental iron for hemoglobin production; enhanced by vitamin C and taken apart from milk, tea, coffee, or antacids. Signature side effects and dangers include constipation, darkened stools, and fatal toxicity upon accidental pediatric overdose.

Folic acid

B-complex vitamin required for red blood cell production. The nurse evaluates for concurrent vitamin B12 deficiency when treating anemia. Signature danger is masking underlying B12 deficiency anemia while neurological damage progresses.

Hydroxocobalamin (B12)

Replaces vitamin B12 essential for hematopoietic and neurological function, treating deficiency states. The nurse evaluates CBC, vitamin B12 levels, and neurological symptoms. Signature danger includes allergic hypersensitivity reactions.