Wk 4 Cardiac
The main purpose of giving medications like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers is to decrease strain on this vital organ and reduce the risk of future damage.
The heart
To assess the effectiveness of Heparin therapy, a nurse should monitor this lab value.
What is aPTT?
Because long-term use of this medication class suppresses the adrenal glands, nurses must ensure the dosage is reduced slowly rather than stopped abruptly.
Corticosteroids
This cough suppressant works peripherally by numbing the throat and airway, reducing the urge to cough without affecting the central nervous system.
Benzonatate
This platinum-based chemotherapy drug is known for its ototoxicity, so the nurse should closely monitor the client for ringing in the ears or hearing changes.
Cisplatin
This loop diuretic is often given to reduce fluid overload, but the nurse must monitor potassium levels closely because it can cause significant electrolyte loss.
Furosemide
Patients taking Warfarin should avoid excessive intake of this type of food, as it can decrease the drug’s effectiveness.
What are food high in Vitamin K?
Patients on long-term corticosteroid therapy may require calcium and vitamin D supplementation to help prevent this serious musculoskeletal complication.
Osteoporosis
This medication coats the lining of the stomach to protect ulcers and works best when taken before meals on an empty stomach.
Sucralfate
These HIV medications stop the virus from maturing by blocking the enzyme responsible for cutting viral proteins into their functional forms.
Protease inhibitors
This hormone-driven system adjusts blood volume and vessel tone over time to maintain long-term regulation of blood pressure.
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
A patient taking Rivaroxaban should be monitored for this serious adverse effect, which includes symptoms like bruising and black, tarry stools.
What is bleeding?
This medication mimics aldosterone to help retain sodium and water, so nurses should closely monitor the patient’s blood pressure for signs of fluid overload.
Fludrocortisone
Overuse of this nasal spray can lead to worsening congestion once the medication wears off, a phenomenon known as rhinitis medicamentosa.
Oxymetazoline
This anti-estrogen medication used in breast cancer treatment carries a risk for endometrial cancer, so patients should be instructed to promptly report any unusual vaginal bleeding.
Tamoxifen
This centrally acting medication reduces sympathetic outflow from the brainstem, leading to decreased heart rate and vasodilation.
Clonidine
This medication is a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator used to dissolve clots in patients experiencing an acute ischemic stroke.
Alteplase
This corticosteroid is best taken in the morning to align with the body’s natural hormone cycle and reduce adrenal suppression. It also provides both anti-inflammatory and mild fluid-retaining effects, making it useful in conditions like autoimmune disease and adrenal insufficiency.
Prednisone
This newer-generation antihistamine provides relief from sneezing and itching with minimal drowsiness compared to older drugs like diphenhydramine.
Loratadine
This antiretroviral drug works by binding directly to reverse transcriptase, blocking viral RNA from being converted into DNA.
Efavirenz
This class of drugs works by blocking the effects of epinephrine on the heart, slowing its rate and reducing how hard it pumps.
Beta-blockers
This medication prevents clot formation by directly blocking thrombin, rather than inhibiting vitamin K or factor Xa.
Dabigatran
If left untreated in early infancy, this thyroid disorder can lead to irreversible developmental delays and stunted growth.
Congenital hypothyroidism
This medication serves a dual purpose—it thins thick mucus in the airways to make it easier to cough up and acts as an antidote for acetaminophen overdose by restoring hepatic glutathione.
Acetylcysteine
This anthracycline chemotherapy drug can damage the heart muscle, so nurses must ensure cardiac function is evaluated before starting treatment.
Doxorubicin