Medication Classes & Actions
This antianginal medication works by dilating arteries and veins to increase oxygen delivery to the heart.
What is nitrogylcerin?
This medication is the most common sublingual treatment for angina.
What is Nitrogylcerin?
This potentially fatal electrolyte imbalance may occur when loop diuretics cause excessive potassium loss.
What is hypokalemia? (Low potassium)
Patients taking anticoagulants should use this type of razor to reduce bleeding risk.
What is an electric razor?
A patient reports chest pain after taking three doses of sublingual nitroglycerin 5 minutes apart. This is the nurse's priority action.
What is calling EMS/emergency services or notifying the provider?
These medications prevent platelets from clumping together to form clots.
What are antiplatelet medications?
This oral anticoagulant requires monitoring of vitamin K intake.
What is warfarin?
This dangerous cardiac complication may result from potassium levels that are too high or too low.
What are cardiac arrythmias?
Patients taking warfarin should reduce intake of foods high in this vitamin
What is Vitamin K?
A patient asks for a medication to stop an asthma attack. This medication class would NOT be appropriate because it is only preventive
What are mast cell stabilizers?
This class of medication prevents clot formation by interrupting the production of clotting factors.
What are anticoagulants?
This cardiac glycoside is used in heart failure and should be held for a pulse less than 60 bpm.
What is digoxin?
This serious transfusion complication often occurs within the first 50 mL of blood administration.
What is a blood transfusion reaction?
This assessment must be completed before administering digoxin.
What is checking the apical pulse/heart rate?
A COPD patient has low oxygen and is unable to expand their lungs to increase airflow. What should the nurse recognize as the next step to assist the patient?
What is oxygen therapy?
These asthma medications stimulate beta-2 receptors, causing bronchodilation and relief of bronchospasm.
What are beta-adrenergic agonists?
This short-acting beta agonist is commonly used as a rescue inhaler.
What is albuterol?
This life-threatening reaction can occur as a complication of blood transfusions.
What is anaphylaxis?
When using both a rescue inhaler and an inhaled glucocorticoid, students should administer this medication first.
What is a beta-adrenergic agonist (rescue inhaler)?
A postoperative patient receives subcutaneous injections to prevent DVT formation. The medication is most likely this anticoagulant.
What is lovenox? (or Heparin)
These medications prevent allergens from triggering mast cells and are used prophylactically to reduce asthma attacks.
What are mast cell stabilizers?
This mucolytic treats thick secretions in cystic fibrosis and is also an antidote for acetaminophen overdose.
What is acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)?
This respiratory medication requires monitoring for depression and suicidal ideation.
What is Montelukast?
This action should be performed after using an inhaled glucocorticoid to reduce oral side effects.
What is rinsing the mouth?
A patient experiencing severe life-threatening dyspnea from acute asthma may receive this medication by subcutaneous injection.
What is epinephrine?