CNS Agents
This class of CNS depressants is commonly used for anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.
What are benzodiazepines?
This citrus fruit can interfere with the metabolism of many medications, including statins and calcium channel blockers, by inhibiting CYP3A4.
What is grapefruit
This substance is the antidote for opioid overdose and is administered to reverse respiratory depression.
What is Naloxone
The nurse should assess for this symptom and report it to the provider for possible discontinuation of the an ACE inhibitors.
Persistent dry Cough
This term refers to the process by which a drug enters the bloodstream from its site of administration. It can be influenced by factors like the drug's form and route of administration.
What is absorption?
This CNS stimulant is often prescribed for ADHD and works by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain.
What is methylphenidate? (Ritalin)
Patients taking warfarin should maintain consistent intake of this vitamin found in leafy greens, as it can affect INR levels.
What is vitamin K?
This antidote is given to treat acetaminophen overdose and is most effective within 8 hours of ingestion.
What is N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (Mucomyst)?
This loop diuretic is commonly prescribed for conditions like heart failure and edema but can lead to electrolyte imbalances, especially hypokalemia. The nurse should monitor potassium levels and educate the patient on the importance of consuming potassium-rich foods.
What is furosemide
This term refers to the movement of a drug throughout the body, where it is carried by the bloodstream to its site of action, metabolism, and excretion.
What is distribution?
This medication is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and is often combined with carbidopa to reduce peripheral metabolism.
What is levodopa?
This supplement, often used for depression, can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, warfarin, and some HIV medications.
What is St. John’s Wort?
Used in benzodiazepine overdose, this antidote reverses sedative effects but must be used cautiously due to risk of seizures.
What is flumazenil?
A patient receiving the antipsychotic medication haloperidol may develop this movement disorder, characterized by involuntary muscle contractions
What is extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) or dystonia?
differences;
EPS is a broader term that includes symptoms like dystonia, akathisia, and pseudoparkinsonism.
Tardive dyskinesia is a more specific, often irreversible disorder characterized by bizarre facial grimacing, involuntary tongue rolling, lip smacking, and pill rolling
This organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing most drugs, converting them into more water-soluble compounds for easier excretion.
What is the liver?
This antidepressant class includes fluoxetine and sertraline and works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin.
SSRI's
Consuming tyramine-rich foods while on MAOIs can trigger this life-threatening condition.
What is hypertensive crisis?
This antidote is given to reverse the anticoagulant effects of heparin, especially in cases of bleeding or before surgery.
What is protamine sulfate?
This medication used for treating hyperthyroidism can lead to agranulocytosis, a potentially fatal side effect. The nurse should educate the patient on the importance of regular blood tests and report signs of infection, such as fever or sore throat.
What is propylthiouracil (PTU)?
Agranulocytosis is a serious condition characterized by a severe reduction of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell essential for fighting infections. This condition places individuals at a high risk for frequent infections, and if untreated, it can lead to severe complications such as sepsis.
This phenomenon occurs when a drug is extensively metabolized by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation, reducing the amount of active drug available for therapeutic effect. It is most significant when drugs are taken orally.
What is first-pass effect?
This class of antidepressants inhibits the breakdown of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. Nurses must carefully assess for drug interactions due to the risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if combined with SSRIs or TCAs.
MAOI's
This herbal supplement, often used for anxiety and stress, can enhance the sedative effects of CNS depressants like benzodiazepines, alcohol, and barbiturates, increasing the risk of respiratory depression.
What is Kava?
This substance is commonly administered in cases of poisoning, as it binds to toxins like aspirin, barbiturates, and certain drugs, preventing further absorption in the stomach.
What is activated charcoal?
This medication, used to treat tuberculosis, can cause hepatotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, and orange discoloration of bodily fluids. The nurse should monitor liver function tests (LFTs) and advise the patient to report any unusual fatigue or signs of liver issues.
What is rifampin?
This term refers to the fraction of an administered dose of a drug that reaches the systemic circulation in its active form, and is influenced by factors like first-pass metabolism.
What is bioavailability?