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Summary Pharm Exam 2 Notes – Study Guide

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These notes provide a comprehensive review of key pharmacology concepts for the second exam. They cover drug classifications, mechanisms of action, indications, dosage, side effects, and nursing considerations. Ideal for nursing students preparing for Exam 2, this study guide simplifies complex topics and helps reinforce knowledge for exam success.

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lOMoARcPSD|11700591




Pharm Exam 2 notes
Adrenergic Agonists
o Adrenergic- sympathetic nervous system
o Increase HR, increase oxygen (bronchodilation), Increase blood flow, Resp rate increase, pupils dilate,
blood glucose increase
o Patient going to be very alert and awake
o Mimic norepinephrine and Epinephrine
o It can affect the heart, bronchi (lungs), GI tract
Urinary bladder, eyes
Alpha 1
o Increases cardiac contractility, vasoconstriction
o Dilates pupils
o Increases bladder & prostate contraction
Beta 1
o Increases cardiac contractility, heart rate
o Increases renin secretion, blood pressure
Beta 2
o Decreases GI tone and motility
o Bronchodilation
o Increases blood flow in skeletal muscles
o Relaxes smooth muscles of uterus
o Activates liver glycogenolysis – increases blood sugar

Remember beta 1 – 1 heart so it mainly affects the heart
Beta 2 – 2 lungs so it mainly affects the lungs
Alpha 1 increases the blood pressure (A- Arteries)

Epinephrine
Nonselective – stimulates alpha 1, beta 1, and beta 2
 Alpha 1 increases the blood pressure
 Beta 1 increases the heart rate
 Beta 2 promotes bronchodilation
Increase HR, increase oxygen (bronchodilation), Increase blood flow, Resp rate increase, pupils dilate, blood
glucose increase
Emergency Drug
Uses
o Anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock
o Bronchospasms, status asthmaticus
o Cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest

Therapeutic response when Heart rate between 60-100

Side effects/Adverse reactions
o GI disturbances
o Sweating, headache, insomnia, dizziness, agitation, anxious
o Hyperglycemia
o Palpitations, cardiac dysrhythmia
o Tachycardia (heart rate over 100 adverse reaction)
o Hypertension (above 140/90 adverse reaction)

Contraindications
o Tachycardia

, lOMoARcPSD|11700591




o Glaucoma (due to dilation of the pupils is going to increase pressure in the eye)
o Labor (vasoconstricting of the vessels occur and will stop blood flow to the baby)
Caution
o Hypertension
o Prostatic hypertrophy
o Diabetes mellitus

Interactions
o MAOI’s tricyclic antidepressants – intensify and prolong effect
o Beta blockers – block effect
o Digoxin – can increase risk of dysrhythmia
o Lab – increases blood sugar

Assessment
o Vital signs (pt will be placed on a monitor)
o Medication/medical history (what if they were on morphine and overdose on it then we can just give
naloxone and we can use epinephrine)
o Current symptoms
o Baseline glucose level

Nursing interventions
o Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and urine output
o Monitor IV site for infiltration. Give IV push slowly (1 mg/minute) unless in cardiac arrest we will give it
faster
o Patient on cardiac monitor when giving IV
o Monitor for side effects/adverse reactions – report hypertension, irregular heart rate, tachycardia
o Monitor blood glucose in diabetic patients with long term use (albuterol)
Teaching
o The side effects/adverse reactions to report (palpitations)
o Avoid drugs that increase the blood pressure such as cold medication and diet pills
o Avoid adrenergic when breastfeeding
o Nasal sprays should only be used 3-5 days
o Take medication as prescribed
o How to use inhaled drugs or drops – return demonstration

Epi-Pen Teaching
o If pt uses it they need to call 911
o Inform provider if EpiPen is used more than twice a week
o Have EpiPen with you at all times
o Do not refrigerate EpiPen but store in cool, dark place
o Use EpiPen at first sign of reaction
o Inspect the contents for particles and do not use if particles are pink or brown
o Inject subcutaneously in the outer thigh and hold in place for 5-10 seconds
o After administration massage the injection site
o Report side effects/adverse reactions

, lOMoARcPSD|11700591




Adrenergic blockers
Action
o Block the alpha1 receptor sites (A- Arteries)
o Results in vasodilation, decreased blood pressure, pupil constriction, reduces contraction of the smooth
muscle in the bladder neck and prostate
o THEY DO NOTHING TO THE HEART RATE
Use
o Antihypertensive
o Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
o Reynaud’s disease

All drugs in this class end in ‘sin’- these drugs work mainly on the vessels

Beta Blockers -LOL
Action
Beta 1 Blocker
o Blocks beta adrenergic receptor sites
o Decreases movement of epinephrine
o Suppresses renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
Beta2
o Bronchoconstriction
o Contracts uterus
o inhibits glycogenolysis
o Leads to hypoglycemia
Uses
o Antihypertensive
o Angina
o Heart failure
o Dysrhythmias

 Drugs in this class end in ‘olol’ – these drugs work on the heart and vessels
 Selective versus non-selective
 Drug starts with A-M more selective to beta 1 have less of a chance of causing bronchoconstriction
 Drug starts with N-Z non-selective and blocks beta 1 and beta 2

Side effects/Adverse reactions: Opposite of adrenergic drugs
o Drowsy, dizzy, headaches
o Depression, decreased libido
o Orthostatic hypotension
o Bradycardia, hypotension
o Masking of hypoglycemia

Contraindications
o Heart block, bradycardia
o Asthma (unless selective beta 1 – these begin with letters A-M as a rule – atenolol. These are safer than
non-selective)
o Pregnancy
Caution
o Renal dysfunction

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