Pharm Foundations
Q: What are the five rights of medication administration?
Right patient, medication, dose, route, time.
What is one common short-term side effect of corticosteroids such as prednisone?
Increased blood glucose.
(Also acceptable: mood changes, immunosuppressed)
Which insulin type peaks fastest?
Rapid-acting insulin (e.g., lispro).
ACE inhibitors commonly end in what suffix?
-pril.
Patients taking PPIs have an increased long-term risk of what?
Osteoporosis or fractures.
The time it takes for a drug concentration to decrease by half is called what?
The half-life.
Cephalosporins have a cross-sensitivity risk with which drug class?
Penicillins.
What is the signs of hypoglycemia?
Sweating, shakiness, confusion. (Cold & clammy, need some candy!)
What electrolyte imbalance increases the risk for digoxin toxicity?
Low potassium (hypokalemia).
Sucralfate should be taken when?
On an empty stomach.
Interpret the following order:
“Metoprolol 25 mg PO q8h AC. Hold for HR < 60.”
In your own words, what is this order telling the nurse to do?
Give 25 mg of metoprolol by mouth every 8 hours, before meals, but do not give it if the heart rate is below 60.
What is the biggest risk of long-term NSAID use?
GI bleeding or ulcers.
What is a key teaching point for levothyroxine?
Take in the morning on an empty stomach.
What class of inhaler should be used first during an acute asthma attack?
Short-acting beta agonist (SABA) like albuterol.
St. John’s Wort interacts dangerously with antidepressants and can cause what syndrome?
Serotonin syndrome.
Convert 2 teaspoons into milliliters.
10 mL.
A patient taking rifampin reports orange urine and tears. What is the correct nursing response?
Reassure the patient this is an expected harmless side effect.
A patient taking metformin develops rapid breathing, abdominal pain, and confusion. What serious complication should the nurse suspect?
Lactic acidosis.
Statins carry a serious risk for what adverse effect?
Rhabdomyolysis or muscle breakdown.
Iron is best absorbed how?
On an empty stomach with vitamin C.
When giving ear drops to an adult, which direction should the nurse pull the pinna, and how does this differ from administering ear drops to a child?
Adults: Pull the pinna up and back.
Children under 3: Pull the pinna down and back/out.
Vancomycin has a narrow therapeutic index. Which two labs must the nurse monitor closely to detect toxicity?
Trough levels and kidney function (creatinine/BUN).
A patient taking glipizide reports sudden sweating, tremors, and blurry vision. Their blood glucose is 42 mg/dL. They are awake enough to swallow.
Give fast-acting oral carbohydrates (e.g., 4 oz juice or glucose tablets).
Which anticoagulant requires monitoring of INR?
Warfarin.
Which herbal supplement significantly increases bleeding risk when taken with anticoagulants like warfarin?
Ginkgo biloba.
(Also acceptable: garlic, ginseng)