MedMaster by NURSING.com

MedMaster by NURSING.com

By Jon Haws, RN CCRN AlumnusMedicineHealth & FitnessEducation
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MedMaster by NURSING.com episodes

  • MED: Biscodyl
    Biscodyl
    Generic Name
    biscodyl
    Trade Name
    Ducolax
    Indication
    treatment of constipation, bowel regimen
    Action
    stimulates peristalsis leads to fluid accumulation in the colon
    Therapeutic Class
    laxatives
    Pharmacologic Class
    stimulant laxatives
    Nursing Considerations
    may lead to hypokalemia
    may cause abdominal pain and cramps
    use caution with milk
    assess for abdominal distention and bowel function
    instruct patient to drink 1500-2000 mL/day during therapy
    monitor fluid and electrolyte levels
    instruct patient to take as ordered
    6 min
  • MED: Benzotropine
    Benzotropine
    Generic Name
    benzotropine
    Trade Name
    Cogentin
    Indication
    treatment for Parkinson's disease
    Action
    anticholinergic properties in the CNS to reduce rigidity and tremors
    Therapeutic Class
    Antiparkinson agent
    Pharmacologic Class
    Anticholinergic
    Nursing Considerations
    may lead to arrhythmias, hypotension, palpitations, and tachycardia
    anticholinergic effects like constipation, dry mouth
    assess for extrapyramidal symptoms
    instruct patient to take as directed
    instruct patient to maintain good oral hygiene
    4 min
  • MED: Azithromycin
    Azithromycin
    Generic Name
    azithromycin
    Trade Name
    Zithromax
    Indication
    URI, chronic bronchitis, lower respiratory infections, otitis media, skin infections, various STIs, prevention of bacterial endocarditis, treatment of cystic fibrosis
    Action
    inhibits bacterial protein synthesis
    Therapeutic Class
    agents for atypical mycobacterium, anti-infectives
    Pharmacologic Class
    Macrolide
    Nursing Considerations
    may lead to pseudomembranous colitis, pain, diarrhea, nausea, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, angioedema
    may increase risks for warfarin toxicity
    monitor patient for signs of anaphylaxis
    instruct patient to notify physician for diarrhea, or blood or pus in stool
    instruct patient to take medication exactly as prescribed
    5 min
  • MED: Atropine
    Atropine
    Generic Name
    atropine
    Trade Name
    Atro-pen
    Indication
    decreases oral and respiratory secretions, treats sinus bradycardia and heart block, treatment of bronchospasm
    Action
    Atropine is an anticholinergic which means that it inhibits the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system, specifically acetylcholine.  This inhibition causes increase in HR, bronchodilation, decreased GI and respiratory secretions.
    Therapeutic Class
    antiarrhythmic
    Pharmacologic Class
    anticholinergic, antimuscarinic
    Nursing Considerations
    Avoid in acute hemorrhage, tachycardia, and angle closure glaucoma
    monitor patient for tachycardia and palpitations
    may cause urinary retention in elderly patients
    patients may experience constipation due to slowed GI motility
    6 min
  • MED: Atenolol
    Atenolol
    Generic Name
    atenolol
    Trade Name
    Tenormin
    Indication
    hypertension, angina, prevention of MI
    Action
    blocks the stimulation of beta1 receptors in the SNS with minimal effect on beta2 receptors
    Therapeutic Class
    antianginal, antihypertensive
    Pharmacologic Class
    beta blocker
    Nursing Considerations
    Contraindicated in CHF, pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, bradycardia, heart block
    monitor hemodynamic parameters (HR, BP)
    May cause bradycardia, CHF, pulmonary edema
    Masks symptoms associated with diabetes mellitus
    advise to change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension
    instruct patient on how to take blood pressure
    6 min
  • MED: Aspirin
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    Aspirin
    Generic Name
    Aspirin
    Trade Name
    Bayer Aspirin
    Indication
    rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ischemic stroke and MI prophylaxis
    Action
    inhibits the production of prostaglandins which leads to a reduction of fever and inflammation, decreases platelet aggregation leading to a decrease in ischemic diseases
    Therapeutic Class
    antipyretics, non-opioid, analgesics
    Pharmacologic Class
    salicylates
    Nursing Considerations
    use caution in bleeding disorders, chronic alcohol use
    may lead to Stevens-Johnson syndrome, laryngeal edema, and anaphylaxis
    increases risk for bleeding with warfarin, heparin, and clopidogrel
    increased risk for GI bleeding with NSAID use
    monitor liver function tests
    concurrent use with alcohol may increase risk for GI bleeding
    6 min
  • Amoxicillin
    Amoxicillin
    Generic Name
    amoxicillin
    Trade Name
    Moxatag
    Indication
    skin infections, respiratory infections, sinusitis, endocarditis prophylaxis, lime disease
    Action
    Inhibits synthesis of bacterial cell wall leading to cell death.
    Therapeutic Class
    anti-infectives, antiulcer agent
    Pharmacologic Class
    aminopenicillins
    Nursing Considerations
    Contraindicated with penicillin allergy
    may cause seizures
    assess for rash, anaphylaxis
    excreted by kidneys - monitor renal labs
    monitor patient for diarrhea - bloody stool should be reported immediately
    4 min
  • Amlodipine
    Amlodipine
    Generic Name
    Amlodipine
    Trade Name
    Norvasc
    Indication
    hypertension, angina
    Action
    blocks transport of calcium into muscle cells inhibiting excitation and contraction
    Therapeutic Class
    antihypertensive
    Pharmacologic Class
    Ca channel blocker
    Nursing Considerations
    may cause gingival hyperplasia
    grapefruit juice may increase drug level
    monitor blood pressure and pulse prior to and during therapy
    monitor intake and output
    assess for signs of CHF
    assess characteristics of angina
    instruct patient of interventions for hypertension and how to take blood pressure
    5 min
  • Amitryptiline
    Amitryptiline
    Generic Name
    Amitryptiline
    Trade Name
    Elavil
    Indication
    depression, anxiety, insomnia
    Action
    increases effect of serotonin and norepinephrine in the CNS, exhibits anticholinergic effects
    Therapeutic Class
    antidepressant
    Pharmacologic Class
    tricyclic antidepressant
    Nursing Considerations
    contraindicated in MI, heart failure, QT prolongation, glaucoma
    may increase risk for suicidal ideation
    may cause arrhythmias, hypotension, EKG changes
    may cause alterations in blood glucose levels
    may lead to general sedation and lethargy
    do not use within 2 weeks of MAOIs
    Instruct pt to take medication exactly as instructed
    monitor for orthostatic hypotension
    may lead to photosensitivity, instruct patient to use sunscreen
    may turn urine blue/green color.
    4 min
  • Amiodarone
    Amiodarone
    Generic Name
    Amiodarone
    Trade Name
    Cordarone
    Indication
    ventricular arrhythmias, SVT, ACLS protocol for v-fib and vTACH
    Action
    prolongs action potential, inhibits adrenergic stimulation, slows rate, decreases peripheral vascular resistance causing vasodilation
    Therapeutic Class
    Antiarrhythmic class III, Potassium channel blocker
    Pharmacologic Class
    none
    Nursing Considerations
    may lead to ARDS, pulmonary toxicity, CHF, bradycardia, hypotension
    increases risk for QT prolongation
    increases digoxin levels
    increases activity of warfarin
    monitor EKG continuously while on therapy
    assess for signs and symptoms of ARDS
    monitor liver function test
    check dosage with another RN
    teach pt to monitor pulse daily and report abnormalities
    avoid drinking grapefruit juice
    4 min

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