Drug Classes
This drug class ends in “-pril” and is used to treat hypertension.
What are ACE inhibitors?
A patient on lisinopril reports swelling of the lips and tongue. What should the nurse do?
What is hold the medication and notify the provider (angioedema)?
This class of medications must be double-checked due to risk of hypoglycemia.
What is insulin?
Before giving furosemide, the nurse should check this.
What is blood pressure and potassium level?
This OTC pain reliever is hepatotoxic in high doses.
What is acetaminophen (Tylenol)?
This class of antidepressants includes fluoxetine and sertraline.
What are SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)?
Metformin should be held before and after this type of diagnostic procedure.
What is contrast dye imaging (e.g., CT with contrast)?
Heparin and warfarin increase the risk for this major complication.
What is bleeding?
When giving opioids, always assess for this respiratory-related side effect.
What is respiratory depression?
This benzodiazepine is used for anxiety and seizures.
What is lorazepam (Ativan)?
Drugs ending in “-lol” belong to this class.
What are beta blockers?
This supplement increases bleeding risk and should be stopped before surgery.
What is ginkgo biloba?
Digoxin toxicity includes these two classic symptoms.
What are nausea/vomiting and visual halos?
This vital sign must be checked before administering a beta blocker.
What is heart rate?
This SSRI is also used to treat PTSD.
What is sertraline (Zoloft)?
Loop diuretics like furosemide can cause loss of this important electrolyte.
What is potassium?
Patients on lithium should be monitored for this electrolyte to avoid toxicity.
What is sodium?
This class of drugs should never be stopped abruptly due to rebound hypertension.
What are beta blockers?
When giving a statin, which organ's labs should be monitored?
What is the liver? (AST/ALT)
This antibiotic can cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
What is vancomycin?
This class of drugs is used to lower cholesterol and ends in “-statin.”
What are statins?
Tardive dyskinesia is a serious side effect of this drug class.
What are antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol)?
This anticoagulant requires frequent INR monitoring.
What is warfarin?
This type of insulin is the only one that can be given IV.
What is regular insulin?
This Parkinson’s drug increases dopamine in the brain.
What is carbidopa-levodopa?