Download the cheat: https://bit.ly/50-meds  View the lesson: https://bit.ly/FentanylDuragesicNursingConsiderations    Generic Name

Fentanyl

Trade Name

Sublimaze

Indication

Supplement to general anesthesia, continuous IV infusion for purpose of analgesia

Action

Binds to opiate receptors in CNS altering perception of pain, producing CNS depression

Therapeutic Class

Opioid Analgesic

Pharmacologic Class

Opioid agonists

Nursing Considerations

• Use caution with increased ICP, head trauma, adrenal insufficiency • Avoid use with MAOIs • May cause apnea, laryngospasm, decreased respirations, bradycardia, hypotension • Do not consume grapefruit while taking this medication • Monitor hemodynamics during administration • Assess patient pain scale frequently

Download the cheat: https://bit.ly/50-meds  View the lesson: https://bit.ly/FamotidinePepcidNursingConsiderations    Generic Name

Famotidine

Trade Name

Pepcid

Indication

Short term treatment of active ulcer, GERD, treatment of heartburn, indigestion, management of Zollinger Ellison syndrome, prevention of GI bleeding in critically ill patients, management of symptoms associated with overuse of NSAIDs

Action

Blocks action of histamine located in gastric parietal cells, inhibits gastric acid secretion

Therapeutic Class

Antiulcer agent

Pharmacologic Class

Histamine H2 antagonist

Nursing Considerations

• May cause arrhythmias, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemias • Assess for abdominal pain and occult blood • Monitor CBC • Instruct pt to increase fluid and fiber intake to prevent constipation

To download the app go to: nursing.com/app

Let’s face it. Pharmacology is hard. It is one of the toughest subjects in a nursing program. So if it is on your course list this coming semester, you’re probably feeling anxious and overwhelmed already.

You’re not alone. Many students, including me, have been where you are, and some even felt like they didn’t belong to nursing school anymore.

One of the most common questions we get is; “How to study for pharmacology in nursing school”?

I totally understand this. After all, being subjected to an endless list of medications and their classifications can be stressful.

Despite being difficult, pharmacology is an extremely necessary class. This is why you need a plan to handle it successfully and pass with good grades.

If you need to boost your pharmacology grades, pay keen attention to this information as I shall discuss my top tried and tested tips on how to study for pharmacology nursing.

Download the cheat: https://bit.ly/50-meds  View the lesson: https://bit.ly/EscitalopramLexaproNursingConsiderations    Generic Name

Escitalopram

Trade Name

Lexapro

Indication

Major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PCD, PTSD, social phobia

Action

Increases the extracellular levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft by selectively inhibiting its reuptake

Therapeutic Class

Antidepressant

Pharmacologic Class

SSRI

Nursing Considerations

• Contraindicated with MAOI • May cause suicidal thoughts, insomnia, drowsiness, diarrhea, nausea, serotonin syndrome • May cause QT prolongation with certain medications • Assess for sexual dysfunction • May take 4-6 weeks for full affect to take place • Monitor for serotonin syndrome (mental changes, NV, tachycardia, hyperthermia)

Download the cheat: https://bit.ly/50-meds  View the lesson:  https://bit.ly/ErythromycinErythrocinNursingConsiderations    Generic Name

Erythromycin

Trade Name

E-Mycin

Indication

Useful in place of penicillin when patient cannot take penicillin, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, otitis media, skin infections, pertussis, syphilis, rheumatic fever

Action

Bacteriostatic: suppresses bacterial protein synthesis

Therapeutic Class

Anti-infective

Pharmacologic Class

Macrolide

Nursing Considerations

• Causes QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias • Diarrhea • Asses infection • Monitor liver function tests • Instruct patient to finish medication dosage even if they are feeling better • Medication should not be shared

Download the cheat: https://bit.ly/50-meds  View the lesson: https://bit.ly/EpoetinEpogenNursingConsiderations    Generic Name

Epoetin

Trade Name

Epogen

Indication

Anemia

Action

Stimulates erythropoiesis (production of RBCs)

Therapeutic Class

Antianemic

Pharmacologic Class

Hormones

Nursing Considerations

• Assess dialysis shunts

• Contraindicated in albumin hypersensitivity

• May cause

  • Seizures

  • CHF

  • MI

  • CVA

  • Hypertension

• Do not shake vial

• Initiate seizure precautions

• Monitor

  • Bleeding times

  • Signs of anemia

Download the cheat: https://bit.ly/50-meds  View the lesson: https://bit.ly/EpinephrineEpiPenNursingConsiderations    Generic Name

Epinephrine

Trade Name

Adrenalin, EpiPen

Indication

Asthma and COPD exacerbations, allergic reactions, cardiac arrest, anesthesia adjunct

Action

Affects both beta1 and beta2 also has alpha agonist properties resulting in bron- chodilation and increases in HR and BP. Inhibits hypersensitivity reactions.

Therapeutic Class

Antiasthmatic, bronchodilator, vasopressor

Pharmacologic Class

Adrenergic agonist

Nursing Considerations

• Side effects include: angina, tachycardia, hypertension, restlessness, nervousness, hyperglycemia • Use with MAOI may lead to hypertensive crisis • Patients should not use stimulants (caffeine, guarana, etc) • Excessive use may cause bronchospasm • Assess lung sounds, pulse, BP, and other hemodynamic parameters • Monitor for chest pain • Instruct patient to use as directed • Patient should insure adequate fluid intake to liquefy secretions • Mouth should be rinsed after inhalation • Beta blockers may negate effects • May increase blood glucose levels

Download the cheat: https://bit.ly/50-meds  View the lesson: https://bit.ly/EnoxaparinLovenoxNursingConsiderations    Generic Name Enoxaparin Trade Name

Lovenox

Indication

Prevention of VTE, DVT, and PE

Action

Prevents thrombus formation by potentiating the inhibitory effect of antithrom- bin on factor Xa and thrombin. Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin.

Therapeutic Class

Anticoagulant

Pharmacologic Class

Antithrombotic

Nursing Considerations

• Contraindicated in pork hypersensitivity • Monitor for signs of bleeding • Administer in subcutaneous tissue • DO NOT eject air bubble prior to injection • DO NOT aspirate or massage site

Download the cheat: https://bit.ly/50-meds  View the lesson: https://bit.ly/EnalaprilVasotecNursingConsiderations    Generic Name

Enalapril

Trade Name

Vasotec

Indication

hypertension, management of CHF

Action

Block conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, increases renin levels and decreases aldosterone leading to vasodilation

Therapeutic Class

Antihypertensives

Pharmacologic Class

ACE Inhibitor

Nursing Considerations

• May cause hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions and angioedema (swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat)

• Can cause neutropenia – check WBCs regularly

• Use cautiously with potassium supplements and potassium sparing diuretics. • Use cautiously with diuretic therapy • Administer 1 hour before meals • Monitor blood pressure often • Monitor weight and fluid status • Monitor renal profile • Monitor CBC frequently • Dry cough

Download the cheat: https://bit.ly/50-meds  View the lesson: https://bit.ly/DopamineInotropinNursingConsiderations    Generic Name

dopamine

Trade Name

Inotropin

What is the indication for Dopamine?

used to improve blood pressure, cardiac output, and urine output

Action

Smaller doses result in renal vasodilation Doses 2-10mcg/kg/min result in cardiac stimulation by acting on beta1 receptors Doses >10mcg/kg/min stimulate alpha receptors leading to vasoconstriction (↑SVR)

What is the therapeutic class for Dopamine?

inotropic, vasopressor

Pharmacologic Class

adrenergic

Nursing Considerations for Dopamine (Inotropin)

• Monitor hemodynamics closely: BP, HR, EKG, CVP, and PAOP if available • Obtain parameters for hemodynamic values • Titrate to obtain appropriate BP (more potent vasoconstrictors may be required) • Irritation may occur at IV site • Beta blockers may counteract therapeutic effects