Pain Meds
What are some common side effects with opiate administration?
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Pruritus
Dizziness and sedation
Dry mouth
What is a rare but serious side effect of sleep medications in the non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics class?
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) include mood and behavior changes, such as confusion, agitation, or hallucinations.
The most common side effects are taste changes, headache, and daytime drowsiness.
What are 3 tyramine-rich foods that should be avoided in MAO inhibitors?
Aged cheeses (like aged cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan)
Aged or processed meats (such as salami, pepperoni, and dried sausages)
Fermented foods and beverages like soy sauce, sauerkraut, and draft beer/ wine
What are common symptoms experienced when taking birth control?
Breast tenderness
Weight gain
Mood swings
What are the two common medication classes that are used to treat hypertension that may impact renal function?
Angiotensin II receptor blockers
ACE inhibitors
What are the three purposes of NSAIDS?
What is reduce fever, suppress inflammation, reduce pain
Reference:
Burchum, J. R. & Rosenthal, L. D.(2019). Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Acetaminophen. In Lehnes pharmacology for nursing care (10th, p. 852). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Saunders
What is the role of beta blockers within the cardiovascular system?
What is beta blockers will be an antagonist to the sites that epinephrine and norepinephrine bind to in order to lower the heart rate, blood pressure and contractility.
What are the 2 categories of the main drugs that are used to treat Anxiety disorders?
What is benzodiazepines and seritonergic reuptake inhibitors
Reference:
Burchum, J. R. & Rosenthal, L. D. (2019). Management of Anxiety Disorders. In Lehnes pharmacology for nursing care (10th, p. 400-401). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Saunders
Which contraceptive agents are slightly less effective?
Progestin only agents
Barrier devices
Spermicides
What are the three advantages of giving drugs via inhalers?
What is "Theraputic effects are enhanced by delivering drugs directly into their site of action, systemic effects are minimized and relief of acute attacks is rapid" (Burchum & Rosenthal, 2019, p. 928)
Reference:
Burchum, J. R. & Rosenthal, L. D. (2019). Drugs for Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. In Lehnes pharmacology for nursing care (10th, p. 928). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Saunders
Name five common medications used in general anesthesia?
Propofol
Ketamine
Benzodiazepines
Etomidate
Opiates
What are side effects of medications that affect the autonomic nervous system?
Changes in heart rate and blood pressure
Dizziness upon standing
Abnormal sweating, flushed skin, dry eyes or excessive salivation
Digestive issues like constipation or diarrhea, urinary problems
Visual or pupillary disturbances
What are the common medications used in alcohol withdrawal symptoms or prevention?
Benzodiazepines like diazepam or chlordiazepoxide control withdrawal symptoms
Naltrexone (Vivitrol): it blocks the effects of alcohol on the opioid receptors that cause the high or lifting of mood experienced when drinking alcohol
Disulfirim (Antabuse): stops alcohol from being broken down (metabolized) in the body making you profoundly nauseated and sick when ingested
Name three medications that can cause erectile dysfunction?
Histamine blockers like Benadryl
Benzodiazepines/Opiates/Alcohol
Aldactone/Spironolactone
Methyldopa
Anti-androgen
Antidepressants/Antianxiety
What are the most common signs and symptoms seen in patients with asthma?
What is "Sense of breathelessness, tightness in chest, wheezing, dyspnea, and cough" (Burchum & Rosenthal, 2019, p. 925)
Reference:
Burchum, J. R. & Rosenthal, L. D. (2019). Drugs for Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. In Lehnes pharmacology for nursing care (10th, p. 925). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Saunders
What class of medication commonly used for depression is also used for chronic pain?
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, known as SNRIs, that may be prescribed to relieve chronic pain include duloxetine (Cymbalta, Drizalma Sprinkle)
What are extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) of Parkinson's disease, also known as Parkinsonism?
Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)
Rigidity (stiffness)
Tremor
Postural instability (problems with balance)
What vitamins/electroytes can be beneficial to administer to an alcoholic patient?
Thiamine (B1)
B vitamins (B2, B6, folate)
Magnesium: This mineral supports liver function and is often found in low levels in individuals with alcohol use disorder
What medications are used for cervical ripening?
Dinoprostone (Cervadil) is a Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) that can be used as a vaginal insert, gel, tablet, or suppository to promote cervical remodeling and labor.
What medications cause urine discoloration?
Orange: rifampin, phenazopyridine
Brown: chloroquine, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin
Green or Blue: amitriptyline, indomethacin, propofol)
How long will Narcan block the effects of opiates in the average person?
Naloxone works to reverse opioid overdose in the body for only 30 to 90 minutes.
Name the 3 main complications of Pilocarpine and why it should be stopped several weeks before general anesthesia?
Respiratory depression
Bradycardia
hypotension
Effects: Pilocarpine is a cholinergic agonist and activates the cholinergic system by mimicking the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, Muscarinic Receptor Stimulation, and Parasympathetic Activation leads to an increase in parasympathetic nervous system activity.
What are signs and symptoms of Lithium Toxicity?
Severe nausea and vomiting
Severe hand tremors
Altered mental status or confusion
Blurry vision or vision changes
Name a birth control method that does not require self-administration?
Birth control shot (Depo-Provera): Requires regular visits to a healthcare provider to receive a shot but avoids daily self-administration.
Implants (Nexplanon, Implanon): Prevent Ovulation, fertilization and implantation.
IUD's (Copper T, Mirena) Prevent implantation, spermicidal and/or hormone releasing
What teaching points should you discuss for BPH medications?
For BPH medications patients should know their medication's purpose (alpha-blockers relax muscles, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors shrink the prostate)
Potential side effects (dizziness, decreased libido), and administration details. Be aware that alpha-blockers like Tamsulosin (Flomax) offer faster symptom relief than 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like Finasteride (Proscar), which can take months to work.
Patients should also avoid certain over-the-counter (OTC) drugs like some antihistamines, antidepressants, and decongestants that can worsen symptoms