Cardiac & BP
A patient with hypertension receives a medication that selectively blocks beta-1 receptors, decreases heart rate, and blood pressure.
What is metoprolol?
This short-acting beta-2 agonist is commonly administered as a rescue medication for acute bronchospasm.
What is albuterol?
This long-acting insulin is typically administered once daily and is designed to provide relatively steady basal insulin coverage.
What is insulin glargine?
This common non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic can cause severe liver injury when taken in excessive amounts.
What is acetaminophen?
Before administering the first dose of a newly prescribed antibiotic, the nurse should verify this important part of the patient's medication history.
What are medication allergies and previous allergic reactions?
A patient receiving lisinopril tells the nurse, “I have had this annoying dry cough ever since I started this medication.” Which medication class commonly produces this adverse effect?
What are ACE inhibitors?
A patient receives albuterol and subsequently reports feeling shaky while the nurse notes an increased heart rate. These findings represent common effects of this medication.
What are tremor and tachycardia?
A patient receives insulin lispro before breakfast. The breakfast tray is unexpectedly delayed. Which complication is the nurse most concerned about?
What is hypoglycemia?
A patient taking ibuprofen regularly should be monitored for gastrointestinal bleeding and impairment of this organ's function.
What are the kidneys?
Shortly after receiving an IV antibiotic, a patient develops wheezing, hypotension, facial swelling, and widespread hives. Which medication is the first-line treatment for this emergency?
What is epinephrine?
Before administering digoxin to a patient with heart failure, the nurse obtains an apical pulse of 54 beats/min. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
What is hold the digoxin and notify the provider according to ordered parameters?
A patient with persistent nausea receives ondansetron. The nurse knows that this medication may be particularly concerning in a patient with an already prolonged QT interval because it can increase the risk of what?
What are potentially serious cardiac dysrhythmias, including torsades de pointes?
A patient taking metformin is admitted with acute kidney injury. Why should the nurse question continued administration?
What is the increased risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis when significant renal dysfunction causes drug accumulation?
A postoperative patient receiving morphine becomes increasingly sleepy. Which assessment finding would be the greatest medication-related concern?
What is respiratory depression?
A patient receiving vancomycin develops worsening renal function. Which organ toxicity is associated with this medication and requires careful monitoring?
What is nephrotoxicity?
A patient receiving a loop-diuretic for heart failure develops weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias. Laboratory results show potassium 2.9 mEq/L. Which specific loop-diuretic most likely contributed to this finding?
What is furosemide?
A patient with COPD receives ipratropium. Which medication class does this drug belong to, and what therapeutic effect is expected?
What is an anticholinergic bronchodilator that promotes bronchodilation?
A hospitalized patient receiving high-dose prednisone has repeated blood glucose readings above 250 mg/dL despite having no previous diagnosis of diabetes. What medication effect best explains this?
What is glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia?
A patient receiving IV morphine is difficult to arouse. Respiratory rate is 6/min and oxygen saturation is falling. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
What is naloxone?
During a vancomycin infusion, a patient develops flushing and redness of the face, neck, and upper torso. The medication was being administered rapidly. What infusion-related reaction should the nurse suspect?
What is vancomycin infusion reaction?
A patient receiving lisinopril develops facial and tongue swelling shortly after receiving the medication. What potentially life-threatening adverse reaction should the nurse suspect?
What is angioedema?
A patient has been taking high-dose systemic corticosteroids for several weeks. The patient decides to stop taking the medication abruptly because they "feel better." What potentially dangerous complication should concern the nurse?
What is adrenal insufficiency/adrenal crisis?
A patient receiving insulin becomes confused, diaphoretic, and shaky. Blood glucose is 42 mg/dL. The patient is awake but cannot safely swallow. Which medication would the nurse anticipate administering if IV access is not available?
What is glucagon?
A patient has been receiving high-dose opioid therapy for several weeks. The medication is suddenly discontinued. The patient develops sweating, anxiety, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and muscle aches. What is occurring?
What is opioid withdrawal?
A hospitalized patient has received broad-spectrum antibiotics for several days and develops frequent watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. Which infection should the nurse suspect?
What is Clostridioides difficile infection?