Drug Card Essentials

Drug Card Essentials: The FAB Five

The top five things to include on your drug cards for exams and the NCLEX:

1. Drug Name

  • Each drug has one generic name and multiple brand/trade names.
  • The NCLEX tests on generic names only.
  • Generic name: Nonproprietary, standard name (e.g., ibuprofen).
  • Brand/Trade name: Given by the company that produces the drug (e.g., Advil, Motrin for ibuprofen).
  • Analogy: Generic name is like "coffee," while brand names are like "Starbucks" or "Coffee Bean." *Examples:
    • Warfarin (generic) - Coumadin (brand)
    • Ibuprofen (generic) - Advil, Motrin (brand)
    • Acetaminophen (generic) - Tylenol (brand)

2. Class/Classification of Medication

  • Categorizes medications based on their effects on the body.
  • Pharmacological action: The desired action of the medication.
    • Anti-infectives (antibiotics): Penicillin.
    • Anticoagulants (blood thinners): Heparin, Warfarin.
    • Antihypertensives (lower blood pressure): Labetalol.
      *More detail is available in the pharmacology mastery course.

3. Mechanism of Action (Chemical Action)

  • How the drug works in the body.
  • Example: Penicillin breaks down the cell wall of bacteria to destroy it.

4. Indication (Therapeutic Effect)

  • The expected effect of the drug; what the drug is intended to treat.
  • One drug may have multiple indications.
  • Examples: Antibiotics for ear infections, GI infections, or skin infections.
  • Analogy: Like specifying what kind of nurse you are (ER, ICU, pediatric, etc.).

5. Side Effects

  • Expected effects of the medication (e.g., nausea and vomiting, which, as you'll find, is a common side effect).

Pregnancy Safety

  • Drugs are classified by potential harm to the fetus.
  • Class A: Most safe.
  • Class X: Most dangerous.
  • If a question asks which medication to give a pregnant client, choose Class A and avoid Class X.

Key Terms

  • Therapeutic Effect: Expected response of the medication (e.g., Vicodin for pain leading to decreased pain).
  • Side Effect: Expected effects from a medication (e.g., pain medication causing nausea and vomiting).
  • Adverse Effect: Unexpected effects and severe response (e.g., allergic reaction with hives or respiratory distress).
  • Toxic Effect: Accumulation of medication in the blood due to overdose, long-term intake, or difficulties in elimination (renal failure, elderly clients).
  • Therapeutic Range: The range of drug concentration in the body that produces the desired effect without causing toxicity
    • Ideal: Effective without being toxic.
  • Synergistic Effect: When similar medications are given together, their impact is greater than when given alone.
    • Example 1: Pain medication and alcohol (both sedatives, leading to significant drops).
    • Example 2: Caffeine and Adderall (both stimulants, increasing heart rate and blood pressure).
  • Contraindications: When not to give a medication.
    • Example: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is contraindicated in clients with liver disease.