Anti-Hypertensives
Beta Blockers inhibit beta-adrenergic receptors to decrease heart rate and blood pressure. This is an example.
This medication is given as follows: 10% of the total dose as an IV bolus over 1 minute, followed by the remaining 90% by IV infusion over one hour.
What is tPA, or Tissue Plasminogen Activator?
Abruptly stopping any anti-seizure medication can cause this serious adverse effect.
What are withdrawal seizures?
The electrolyte that must be monitored every two hours during a hypertonic infusion, or before giving a subsequent hypertonic saline bolus.
What is sodium? (NA2+)
Nurse Max is providing discharge teaching for a patient who experienced an ischemic stroke. The patient's wife asks why one specific medication is on the med list. Max knows that this medication is an anti-platelet medication and may prevent the risk of death from acute ischemic stroke.
What is Aspirin or Plavix?
Nimodipine/Norvasc, Amlodipine, Nicardipine/Cardine
What are examples of Calcium Channel Blockers?
When a patient presents with stroke symptoms, this must be ruled out by Head CT before administering thrombolytic therapy.
What is intracranial hemorrhage?
This anti-seizure medication poses a risk of cardiac toxicity. It should be given slowly (<50mg/min) when given IV and is not compatible with fluids containing dextrose. It is a vesicant and can cause serious subcutaneous tissue damage if it extravagates.
What is Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Low molecular weight heparin, derived from unfractionated heparin, given by SQ injection.
What is Lovenox?
The nurse teaches a family member that this new medication to help stimulate their family member's appetite could cause increased drowsiness and risk for delirium development.
What is Mirtazapine?
This Calcium Channel Blocker has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect when given after subarachnoid hemorrhage. It is only FDA-approved to be given orally for this indication.
What is Nimodipine?
This is a possible adverse effect of thrombolytic therapy, especially when a patient takes an ACE inhibitor as a routine med.
What is orolingual swelling?
This benzodiazepine is the preferred first-line agent for status epilepticus and can be given orally, IV or IM.
What is Lorazepam (Ativan)?
An oral anticoagulant; dosing is based on INR
What is Coumadin or Warfarin?
This medication, taken by women of childbearing age, increases risk of stroke, especially when the woman also smokes.
What are oral contraceptives?
This calcium channel blocker is the preferred infusion for controlling hypertension in the brain injured population.
What is Nicardipine?
Patients must present for treatment within this maximum time frame since their last known well time to be eligible for thrombolytic therapy.
What is 4.5 hours?
This barbiturate has an adverse risk of CNS and respiratory depression, among others.
What is Phenobarbital (Luminal)?
This medication is contraindicated if a patient takes an oral anticoagulant.
What is tPA or TNK
Risk of this cause of secondary injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage is the reason that patients are monitored in the ICU for up to 10 days or longer.
What is delayed cerebral ischemia, DCI, or vasospasm?
These are examples of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers(ARBs). They bind to angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptors to block the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II to lower blood pressure.
What are Losartan/Cozaar or Valsartan/Diovan?
This thrombolytic therapy is given as an IV push over 5-10 minutes. The maximum dose is 25mg. It is considered the preferred medication for thrombolytic therapy in the setting of Acute Ischemic Stroke.
What is Tenecteplase, or TNK?
All anti-seizure medications carry an FDA warning for this:
What is suicidal ideation?
This medication category requires no routine lab monitoring. Med name examples: Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Pradaxa
What are DOACS, or Direct Oral Anticoagulants?
A patient was admitted for an intracerebral hemorrhage 20 minutes ago. The patient's nurse is checking a patient's admission labs and notes that the patient's PT is 5. The nurse notifies the provider ASAP and anticipates giving one of these reversal agents.
What are phytonadione (vitamin K) or prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC-KCentra)?