Nursing Pharmacology Handouts
Nursing Pharmacology Handouts
Nursing Pharmacology Handouts
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2. Non narcotic analgesics and antipyretics Tablet can be crushed and mixed with
Aspirin food/fluids
-analgesia Teratogenic
-antipyretic 5. Anticonvulsants
-anti-inflammatory Barbiturates (phenobarbital)
-anti-platelet -for gen. and absence seizures
Acetaminophen/Tylenol Benzodiazepines (valium)
-Analgesic,antipyretic -drug of choice for status epilepticus
-Antidote: acetylcysteine (mucomyst) Hydantoins (dilantin)
-monitor liver/kidney function and CBC. -prevents dissemination of electrical
SALICYLATE POISONING discharges in motor cortex area of the brain
TINNITUS LETHARGY/EXCITABILITY, Succinimides (zarontin)/valporic acid
HYPERVENTILATION HYPERTHERMIA (delpakene)
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS -absence seizures
NONNARCOTIC ANALGESICS AND Acetazolamine (diamox)/ Tegretol
ANTIPYRETICS -diuretics,absence,tonic-clonic or myoclonic
Nursing Implications seizures.
Monitor CBC, PT, kidney and liver function Nursing Implications
studies -7-10 days therapeutic level
Additive effects if with use with anticoagulants -turn urine pink, red or red-brown.
Drink plenty of fluids -not given IM
Take with food or fluids. -gingival hyperplasia
Never given with children/adolescents with flu/ -caution use in pregnancy
chicken pox ENDOCRINE DRUGS
Don’t crush enteric-coated tablets. 1. ANTIDIABETIC AGENTS
Avoid intake of alcohol Insulin
stop therapy one week before surgery Adverse Effects:
3. Narcotic analgesics Allergy
Codeine Hypoglycemia
hydromorphone (dilaudid), meperidine Lipodystrophy
(demerol), methadone, Nursing Implications:
oxycodone HCL Do not inject cold insulin.
-induces sedation, analgesia and euphoria. Discard discolored solutions or those with
-relief of moderate to severe pain in MI. precipitates. Do not shake vial.
- relief of dyspnea in Pulmonary edema or Left Draw up clear insulin first.
ventricular failure. Rotate injection sites
Nursing Implications: Monitor blood glucose levels regularly.
-assess pain before giving Inform patients regarding signs of
-monitor RR hypoglycemia and appropriate treatment.
-change position slowly If ill continue taking insulin and drink freely
-check urinary retention nancaloric liquids.
-nalaxone (narcan) available Inform regarding avoidance of smoking.
4.Sedative and Hypnotics Oral Hypoglycemic agents
Eg. Phenobarbital-luminal a. Sulfonylureas
Diazepam-Valium promotes inc. insulin secretion from pancreatic
Hinders movement of impulses from thalamus beta cells
of the brain cortex. First-Generation Agents:
Creates depression in the CNS Tolbutamide, Acetohexamide, Tolazamide,
Nursing Implications: Chlorpropamide
Deep IM Second-Generation Agents
IV adm. monitor insertion sites for Glypizide, Glyburide
extravasation b. Biguanides
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Decreases the vascularity of the thyroid gland Monitor BP, heart rate and I and O.
Decreases thyroidal uptake of radioactive Regularly monitor for uterine contractions and
iodine following radiation emergencies or FHR.
administration of radioactive isotopes of iodine Discontinue if:
Adverse Effects: With note of tetanic uterine contractions.
Unpleasant tase Signs of fetal distress
Hypersalivation Urinary flow is less than 30 ml/hour
Acne Signs of abruptio placenta and uterine rupture
Rashes For ergonovine/methergine- C/I for patients
angioedema with vascular, renal and hepatic problems
Burning sensation Ophthalmic Drugs
THYROID HORMONES A. Mydriatics and Cycloplegics
Levothyroxine -Atropine, Cyclogyl
Liothyronine -causes mydriasis (dilatation) and
Thyroglobulin (Proloid) cyloplegia, w/c paralyzes the lens and eye
Adverse Effects: muscles.
Signs of hyperthyroidism Nursing Implications:
Nursing Implications: -sunglasses
Different brands of levothyroxine may not be -artificial tears
bioequivalent -elderly caution to atropine-IOP
Warn the patient (especially the elderly) to tell B. Miotics
the doctor if with signs of hyperthyroidism Acetylcholine (miochol)
Instruct the patient to take thyroid hormones at Carbachol (isopto carbachol)
the same time each day to maintain constant Pilocarpine
hormone levels. -causes miosis (contraction) of pupils
Nursing Implications: and ciliary muscles
Medications taken in the morning -decreases IOP
Monitor apical pulse and blood pressure. If Cardiovascular Drugs
pulse is >100 bpm, withhold the drug Cardiac Glycosides
Store in air-tight and light-resistant containers Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Monitor prothrombin time; a patient taking -increases force of myocardial contraction (+
these hormones usually requires less inotropic effect
anticoagulant - improves blood supply to vital organs and
OXYTOCIN kidneys, providing a diuretic effect.
Uses: -decreases rate of contraction (-
Promotion of uterine contractions chronotropic effect)
Control of bleeding -CHF,Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter,paroxysmal
Release of milk from breast atrial tachycardia.
Oxtocin-related drugs: Cardiovascular Drugs
Methergine Nursing Implications:
Ergonovine -avoid high Na, increase K
Adverse Effects: -Antidote: digoxin immune Fab
Tachycardia (digi-bind)
Water intoxication Hold if apical pulse:
Uterine rupture -infants: below 90 beats
Nausea and vomiting -children/adolescence: below 70
Cardiovascular collapse -adults: below 60 or above 120.
Anaphylaxis Monitor serum digoxin levels: 0-5 to
Hypertension (oxytocin-related drugs) 2.0ng/ml.
Nursing Implications: Anti anginal Drugs
Use infusion pump for administration. Never Nitrites & Nitroglycerin
give IM
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-dilates the peripheral vascular smooth -take early am & after meals
muscles of small vessels. -agranulocytosis
-decreases cardiac pre load and after load.- -take high K diet
decreased myocardial oxygen needs -change position gradually
-dilates large coronary arteries,which helps -daily weights
decrease anginal pain & hypoxia of the Loop Diuretics
myocardium Furosemide ( lasix )
Anticoagulants -Acts by inhibiting reabsorption of Na
Heparin and CL at the proximal portion of the
-blocks conversion of prothrombin to ascending loop of Henle,increasing H2O
thrombin and fibrinogen to fibrin excretion.
Warfarin (coumarin) -use in HPN, Pulmonary edema,
-blocks prothrombin synthesis cirrhosis, renal disease
-takes 2-5 days –effect Nursing Implications
Thrombolytic Drugs -take with meals
Streptokinase -monitor for hearing loss
Activase, urokinase -use with 5 % dextrose in water, NaCL &
-when use in treatment of MI, start LR
therapy within 6 hours of attack. -incorporated lasix should be use in 24
- corticosteriods -given to decrease hours
allergic reaction -take dose in am
-Reconstitute it with normal saline or 5% -diet high in K
dextrose solution -stay out of sun, use sunscreen
-Avoid IM route
-Antidote: Aminocaproic acid K-sparing diureticss
Antihypertensives spironolactone ( aldactone )
ACE INHIBITORS - CAPOTEN/CAPTOPRIL, -blocks aldosterone receptors in the
VASOTEC/ENALAPRIL, kidney tubules,thus causing excretion of water
LOTENSIN/BENZAPRIL & sodium & K retention
BETA – BLOCKERS- Nursing Implications:
INDERAL/PROPANOLOL, - may last 2-3 days after drug is stopped
TENORMIN/ATENOLOL -avoid high K diet
CALCIUM ANTAGONIST- CALAN
ISOPTIN/VERAPAMIL, Osmotic Diuretics (mannitol)
CARDIZEM/DIALTIZEM, -acts by increasing osmotic pressure of
PROCARDIA/ NIFEDIPINE the glomerular filtrate inside the renal tubules
Nursing Implications -this causes less reabsorption of F &
-avoid alcohol & hot showers E+ by tubules & increase loss of Fluid,CL &
-low Na diet Na.
-change position gradually Nursing Implications:
-monitor CBC,E+,urinalysis -warm solution to dissolve crystal
Diuretics -used IV filters
Thiazides: hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril) -I&O q 30 minutes
Chlorathiazide (Diuril) -Signs of E-
- Blocks Na reabsorption in the distal Respiratory Drugs
convoluted tubule,which prevents H20 A. Antiasthmatic Drugs
reabsorption Theophylline,Aminophylline
-increases urine output -relaxes bronchial smooth muscles cells
-decrease blood volume -increases renal blood flow, producing
-K excretion diuretic effects and acts as CNS stimulant.
-use in HPN, edema with CHF Respiratory Drugs
Nursing Implication: Nursing Implications
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-take in empty stomach ,full glass of -with meals & divide daily dose into 3
water equal parts: GI upset.
-do not give w/ antacids Ethambutol (Myambutol
-GI s/s are dose related -report any s/s blurring of vision
E. Tetracyclines (unable to see red or green)
-Bactericidal -Caution with renal impairment
Nursing Implications:
-avoid with pregnant women .Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
Nursing mothers, Children under 8 y/o -expect orange tinged body fluids
as drug binds to calcium in teeth & new bone -report anorexia,nausea/vomiting,
growth jaundice, malaise,dark urine
-lead to tooth discoloration of permanent Computations
teeth & retarded bone growth. Preparing Solutions
-Avoid taking w/ dairy products, 1. Liquid to Drug Solutions
antacids, vitamins, minerals. Determine the strength of the solution, the
-take 1 hr before meals,2 hrs after strength of the drug on hand and the quantity
meals. of the solution required
-report diarrhea episodes Formula
F. Urinary-Anti-infectives Dose = Amount of Solution
Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin) Strength on hand
-Bacteriostatic Example
Nursing Implications: You have a 100% solution of hydrogen
-monitor pulmonary ,neurologic status peroxide on hand. You need a liter of 50%
-give w/ milk or meals solution.
-avoid crushing tablet: tooth staining
-dilute suspension 50 X 1000 ml = 500ml
-rinse mouth 100
-nausea/vomiting common effect Solid Dose of Oral Administration
G.Vancomycin HCL (Vancocin) Physician orders patient to have 1.0 g of
-Exhibit bactericidal & Bacteriostatic ampicillin. The ampicillin bottle states that
effect. each tablet in the bottle contains 0.5 g.
Nursing Implications: 2 Methods
-monitor renal/auditory function test dosage desired = 1.0 g =2
-adm.IV slow 60 minutes: prevent dosage on hand 0.5 g
phlebitis, extravasation, red-neck syndrome Exercise
( fever, hives, rash & redness of the face) The physician order 1000 mg of
ampicillin. On hand: 0.25 grams per tablet.
H. ciprofloxacin (Cipro) X=
-Bactericidal Liquid Dose of Oral Administration
Nursing Implications: 30 ml = 1 oz
-adm. with large glass of water Physician orders 60 ml of a liquid medication.
-do not give with antacids How many ounces will be given?
-give 2 hours after meals Physician orders 45 ml. How many ounces will
I. Antitubercular Drugs be given?
Isoniazid (INH) Liquid Dose of Oral Administration
-Bacteriostatic, If high concentration Order: 500 mg;Dose at hand: 250mg/5 ml.
becomes Bactericidal How many ml will be given?
Nursing Implications: Formula: D/H x Q
-assess neuromuscular function 500/250 x 5 ml= 10 ml
-give B6 pyridoxine Order: 250 mg; dose at hand: 125 mg/ml
-empty stomach-single daily dose Order: 500 mg; dose at hand: 125 mg/ml
Calculation of Flow Rates
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