Med Admin/VS
This type of tablet is coated to prevent stomach upset and GI bleeding.
Enteric coated (ED) tablet.
Atorvastatin reduces risk of heart disease or recurrent MI/stroke by lowering this waxy plaque forming substance.
Cholesterol, specifically LDL (low density lipoprotein).
Statins inhibits the enzyme needed to synthesize cholesterol in the liver, reducing plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels
This chemical messenger is low in Parkinson Disease
What is dopamine?
Destruction of Substantia nigra (SN) leads to decreased dopamine production (less inhibitory effect) and relative excess of acetylcholine (more excitatory effect), causing symptoms of PD.
This medication is used to treat hypothyroidism.
What is levothyroxine?
This is synthetic thyroid hormone. Dosage is adjusted based upon regular TSH/T4 lab monitoring.
These symptoms would indicate dehydration in a patient.
What is: Decreased urine output or dark/concentrated urine, dry skin (decreased skin turgor on exam), dry mouth, thirst, dry mucous membranes
This type of tablet cannot be crushed.
What is extended/sustained release? [ER/XR/CR]
Crushing it prevents the extended release action.
These are classic symptoms of left sided heart failure/CHF.
Edema/fluid retention, pulm congestion (cough, crackles on exam, tachypnea, DOE), orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND), fatigue, tachycardia, cyanosis
Can occur with right sided HF, which can be caused by left sided HF or pulmonary disease.
This chronic neurological disorder is caused by demyelination in the central nervous system.
What is MS?
Caused by myelin destruction, is typically relapsing/remitting and then progressive when myelin no longe able to repair.
In a patient with known Hashimoto's thyroiditis taking thyroid replacement as directed, these symptoms would make you suspect their dosage is too high.
What is: increased HR, anxiety, insomnia, weight loss, tremor, loose stools, heat intolerance, etc.
These are symptoms of a hyper-metabolic state, seen in hyperthyroidism, or in hypothyroidism if levothyroxine dosage is TOO HIGH.
Epoetin alpha (Epogen) is indicated for this condition that can occur in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What is anemia?
With reduced kidney function kidney is not producing enough erythropoietin, leading to reduced Hg and Hct!
Meaning of ABC in patient assessment.
Airway, breathing, circulation (vital signs)
Always the priority in patient safety in acute setting or change in condition.
Your patient has aspirin 81mg QD, losartan 50mg QD and digoxin 250mg mcg QD to be given at 0900. Their apical pulse on exam is 52, so as the nurse you know to do this next.
What is hold the dose and contact provider.
Digoxin works in part by slowing electrical conduction--if heart rate is <60, giving dose could make heart rate dangerously slow.
This type of medication is used to treat muscle spasticity in MS.
What is a muscle relaxer (e.g. baclofen)
Remember treatment for MS is aimed at symptom management and reducing inflammation (corticosteroids, Mabs) and not curative.
Your patient who has Type 1 diabetes requires this medication to prevent hyperglycemia.
What is insulin?
People with Type 1 diabetes require life-long insulin therapy due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Those with Type 2 are often taking oral anti-diabetics, but may also use insulin if necessary to control blood sugars.
This type of laxative would be helpful for a pregnant patient with mild constipation.
What is a stool softener? (example dx)
A stool softener/surfactant laxative like docusate sodium takes longer to work (days) but is more gentle; a stimulant laxative or osmotic laxative will work faster but can causing more pain/cramping with use. Stool softeners may be used on a long term basis in some patients, ex. pregnancy, opioid use, IBS-C.
A patient with CBC showing platelet level of 34 is at risk for this problem.
What is bleeding.
Highest risk when Plt <10 (usually s/e cancer or cancer tx). Normal is 150-400.
BONUS: what is this condition (low platelets) called?
Your patient has heart failure and is taking spironolactone (Aldactone). You know that this drug is this type of diuretic.
What is a potassium sparing?
Use caution with other meds that can raise potassium, like ACEi/ARB, and educate on avoiding potassium supplements to prevent hyperkalemia.
This first line medication for PD crosses the BBB and serves as a dopamine precursor, increasing dopamine
What is Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet)?
In excess (too much dopamine) can cause paradoxical intoxication/psychosis symptoms.
Tremor/symptoms can worsen as drug wears off. As disease progresses dyskinesias can worsen despite higher doses or can be exacerbated by higher doses (including tardive dyskinesia).
You know that your patient with diabetes taking prednisone for a COPD flare is at risk for this complication.
Hyperglycemia
Prednisone and other steroids cause the liver to be resistant to insulin which raises blood glucose levels--this can worsen preexisting diabetes or cause diabetes to develop.Cortisol (stress hormone) has a similar effect.
This type of laxative is the most commonly abused/misused.
What is a stimulant laxative?
Example is bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
These factors are considered when assessing/treating pain.
What is chronic vs acute, type of pain (visceral, neuropathic, etc.), aggravating factors, previous treatments, severity (1-10), age (older patients under-report pain), med contraindications (CKD, liver disease)
Your patient just had their dose of furosemide (Lasix) doubled to help with fluid retention. You know to monitor this electrolyte closely.
What is potassium.
Loop diuretics like furosemide cause water, potassium and sodium loss so need to monitor for dehydration ad hypokalemia. Educate patients about foods high in K (many fruits & veggies like avocados, bananas, squash, apricots, tomatoes, spinach...)
DAPT means this when thinking about post-stroke management.
Dual-anti platelet therapy
After a stroke or TIA, patients will be given aspirin AND another anti-platelet drug like clopidogrel, to prevent recurrence. This is usually short term (21 days) but circumstances vary.
This type of insulin starts working within about 15 minutes, meaning it has to be taken right before a meal.
Rapid acting (aspart, lispro)
Looking at your patient's med list which shows lisinopril 10mg QD, furosemide 20mg BID, omeprazole 40mg QAM, and atorvastatin 40mg QHS, you know that this medication is for treating their GERD.
What is omeprazole/Prilosec?
This is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that works by inhibiting gastric acid secretion. H2 blockers like famotidine/Pepcid are also used; these medications are also used for treatment of ulcers.