It's All in Your Head
Dexamethasone
What is... a glucocorticoid
Used to reduce inflammation in the brain following injury/surgery/etc.
Considerations: blood sugar, insomnia, hallucinations
Metoprolol
What is... a beta-blocker
Used to control heart rate, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias
Confirm your patient's HR and BP before giving!
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
What is... an opioid
Used to treat moderate-severe acute pain
Polyethylene Glycol
What is... a laxative
Prevents reabsorption of water in the GI tract to soften stool
Metformin
What is... an antidiabetic
Used with lifestyle changes to aid in the treatment of Type II diabetes
Levetiracetam (Keppra)
What is... an antiepileptic
Used to treat seizures - typically simple partial (focal aware), myoclonic, or tonic-clonic
Amlodipine
What is... a calcium channel blocker
Used to treat blood pressure - decreased muscle contractility, vasodilation
Dimenhydrinate
What is... an antihistamine/antiemetic
Used to treat post-operative nausea
Can cause drowsiness!
Furosemide (Lasix)
What is... a diuretic
Used to treat volume overload/edema, and can also be used for hypertension
Considerations: urinary retention (AKI), hypokalemia, blood pressure
Pantoprazole
What is... a PPI
Used to treat GERD and prevent peptic ulcers
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
What is... an antiepileptic
Used to treat seizures - generalized tonic-clonic, complex partial (focal unaware), status epilepticus
Ramipril
What is... an ACE inhibitor
Used to treat hypertension - inhibits angiotensin II formation resulting in decreased sodium/water reabsorption and smooth muscle relaxation
Diphenhydramine
What is... an antihistamine
Used to treat allergic reactions
Can cause drowsiness!
Tenecteplase (TNK)
What is... a fibrinolytic
Used as a clot buster to manage intravascular clots
Bleeding risk!
Dalteparin (Fragmin)
Used in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolisms (DVT prophylaxis)
Nimodipine
What is... a calcium channel blocker
Used in subarachnoid hemorrhages for prophylaxis/treatment of vasospasm - crosses the blood brain barrier and prevents vasoconstriction of vessels
Hydralazine
What is... a vasodilator
Typically prescribed PRN to manage acute hypertension
Lorazepam (Ativan)
What is... a benzodiazepine
Used to manage anxiety/agitation, induce sedation, and treat seizures
Tamsulosin (Flomax)
What is... an alpha blocker
Used to treat urinary retention and BPH
Can also be used in females!
Atorvastatin
What is... a stain
Used to treat DLD (reduce cholesterol) and prevent coronary disease
3% Saline
What is... hypertonic saline/a crystalloid
Used to treat hyponatremia or increased ICP - draws fluid intravascularly to decreased brain edema
Norepinephrine (Levophed)
What is... a peripheral vasoconstrictor
Used to treat hypotension, but also to maintain elevated blood pressures and increased cerebral perfusion
Ondansetron
What is... an antiemetic
Used to treat nausea/vomiting
Ipratropium (Atrovent)
What is... a bronchodilator
Used to treat bronchospasms and COPD - can also be used to help with secretion clearance from the lungs
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
What is... an antiplatelet
Used as a blood thinner in secondary prevention for recent MI and strokes
Primary uses also include unstable angina, NSTEMIs, and prevention of thromboembolisms in AFib