Med Cards

💊 Medication Study Guide

Furosemide • Lisinopril • Metoprolol • Aspirin • Diphenhydramine

🔵 Diuretic🟢 ACE Inhibitor🟣 Beta Blocker🟠 NSAID🌸 Antihistamine

🔵 Furosemide

Brand name: Lasix  |  Generic name: furosemide

WHAT IT IS

A "water pill" (loop diuretic) — it makes you pee out extra fluid.

HOW IT'S GIVEN

By mouth (pill), IV, or IM (shot).

WHY SOMEONE TAKES IT

• Swelling from heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease

• High blood pressure

• Fluid in the lungs

HOW IT WORKS (SIMPLE VERSION)

It blocks the kidneys from soaking sodium and water back into the body, so instead that fluid gets peed out.

SIDE EFFECTS TO WATCH FOR

• ⚠ Low potassium (this is the big one — can cause dangerous heart rhythms)

• Dehydration, low blood pressure

• Ringing in the ears (especially if given too fast IV)

WHAT THE NURSE SHOULD DO

• Check potassium levels

• Weigh the patient daily

• Track how much fluid goes in and out (I&O)

• Give slowly if it's IV push

• Give in the morning so the patient isn't up all night peeing

💡 Easy way to remember: "Loop the fluid OUT — but watch your K (potassium) drop!"

🟢 Lisinopril

Brand name: Zestril / Prinivil  |  Generic name: lisinopril

WHAT IT IS

An ACE inhibitor — relaxes blood vessels to lower blood pressure.

HOW IT'S GIVEN

By mouth only (pill).

WHY SOMEONE TAKES IT

• High blood pressure

• Heart failure

• After a heart attack

• To protect the kidneys in diabetic patients

HOW IT WORKS (SIMPLE VERSION)

It stops the body from making a chemical (angiotensin II) that tightens blood vessels — so vessels stay relaxed and blood pressure goes down.

SIDE EFFECTS TO WATCH FOR

• ⚠ Dry, annoying cough that won't go away — classic sign of this drug class

• ⚠ Swelling of the face/lips/throat (angioedema) — this is an emergency

• High potassium

• Dizziness/low blood pressure

WHAT THE NURSE SHOULD DO

• Check blood pressure before giving

• Watch for swelling of face/mouth — stop drug and call provider if it happens

• Check potassium levels

• Tell patient to stand up slowly (prevents dizziness)

• Never give to a pregnant patient — can harm the baby

💡 Easy way to remember: "-PRIL" drugs = ACE inhibitors. Think: Cough + sPRILs a leak (angioedema) + potassium goes UP.

🟣 Metoprolol

Brand name: Lopressor (short-acting) / Toprol-XL (long-acting)  |  Generic name: metoprolol

WHAT IT IS

A beta blocker — slows the heart down and makes it work less hard.

HOW IT'S GIVEN

By mouth (pill) or IV.

WHY SOMEONE TAKES IT

• High blood pressure

• Chest pain (angina)

• Irregular heartbeat

• Heart failure

• After a heart attack

HOW IT WORKS (SIMPLE VERSION)

It blocks adrenaline's effect on the heart, so the heart beats slower and with less force — this means it doesn't need as much oxygen.

SIDE EFFECTS TO WATCH FOR

• ⚠ Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

• Low blood pressure

• Fatigue, dizziness

• Cold hands/feet

• Can hide signs of low blood sugar in diabetics

WHAT THE NURSE SHOULD DO

• ⚠ Always check heart rate and blood pressure BEFORE giving it — hold the dose and call the provider if HR or BP is too low

• Never stop this drug suddenly — must be tapered off slowly

• Watch for signs of worsening heart failure (weight gain, swelling, trouble breathing)

• Teach diabetic patients that this drug can mask low blood sugar symptoms

💡 Easy way to remember: "-OLOL" drugs = beta blockers. Check the pulse before you give it. Never stop cold turkey!

🟠 Aspirin

Brand name: Bayer / Ecotrin  |  Generic name: aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA)

WHAT IT IS

An NSAID (pain/fever/inflammation reliever) that also thins the blood.

HOW IT'S GIVEN

By mouth or rectally.

WHY SOMEONE TAKES IT

• Mild-moderate pain

• Fever

• Menstrual cramps

• Low dose: to help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots

HOW IT WORKS (SIMPLE VERSION)

It blocks an enzyme (COX) that the body uses to make pain/inflammation chemicals. In blood platelets, this block can't be undone — so the "blood thinning" effect lasts about 7–10 days, until the body makes brand new platelets.

SIDE EFFECTS TO WATCH FOR

• ⚠ Bleeding / bruising easily

• Stomach upset, heartburn, stomach bleeding

• Ringing in the ears (sign of too much aspirin in the body)

• ⚠ Reye syndrome — never give to a child/teen who has a virus (like the flu or chickenpox)

WHAT THE NURSE SHOULD DO

• Ask about bleeding disorders or other blood thinners

• Make sure it's NOT being given to a sick child/teen (Reye syndrome risk)

• Give with food or a full glass of water to protect the stomach

• Watch for signs of bleeding — bruising, dark/tarry stools, blood in urine

• Hold before surgery as ordered (usually stopped several days ahead)

💡 Easy way to remember: Aspirin's blood-thinning effect lasts 7–10 days because platelets can't "fix themselves." Never give it to a sick kid!

🌸 Diphenhydramine

Brand name: Benadryl  |  Generic name: diphenhydramine

WHAT IT IS

An antihistamine — blocks the histamine your body releases during allergic reactions. It also makes you sleepy.

HOW IT'S GIVEN

By mouth, IV, IM, or on the skin (topical).

WHY SOMEONE TAKES IT

• Allergic reactions, hives, itching

• Runny nose from allergies

• Trouble sleeping

• Motion sickness or nausea

• Reactions to other medications

HOW IT WORKS (SIMPLE VERSION)

It blocks histamine receptors, so histamine can't cause itching, swelling, or a runny nose. It also crosses into the brain, which is why it makes you drowsy.

SIDE EFFECTS TO WATCH FOR

• ⚠ Drowsiness — the #1 side effect

• Dry mouth, blurry vision, trouble peeing, constipation

• In kids or older adults: can cause the opposite — hyperactivity or confusion

WHAT THE NURSE SHOULD DO

• Tell the patient not to drive or use machinery after taking it

• Use extra caution in older adults — higher risk of falls and confusion

• Watch for trouble urinating, especially in men with prostate issues

• Use caution in patients with glaucoma

• Don't mix with alcohol or other sedatives

💡 Easy way to remember: "Can't see, can't pee, can't spit, can't poop" — that's the anticholinergic side effect list for Benadryl!

📊 Quick Comparison Table

🧠 Bonus Tips for New Nursing Students

• Drug names ending in "-pril" = ACE inhibitors (like lisinopril)

• Drug names ending in "-olol" = beta blockers (like metoprolol)

• Furosemide + Lisinopril are often given together — one drug loses potassium, the other keeps potassium, which can help balance things out. Still needs to be monitored!

• Both Aspirin and NSAIDs increase bleeding risk — always ask about other blood thinners.

• Diphenhydramine's "dry" side effects (mouth, eyes, bladder, bowels) are called anticholinergic effects — this is a pattern you'll see on other drugs too, so it's worth memorizing now.