NUR 2407 PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE AND
NCLEX SUGGESTIONS
1. Cardiac Glycosides
a. Digoxin (Lanoxin)- Used for HF. .125 dose
i. Monitor pulse- Have patient demonstrate correct way to read
pulse, verbally repeat what we taught, answer questions
correctly about process.
ii. Levels: 0.8 – 2.0 ng/ mL
b. Coumadin (Warfarin) (Blood thinner) – Cardiac Glycoside
i. INR
1. 2-3 if on warfarin
2. 0.8-1.2 normal person not on warfarin.
3. Would be very high if bleeding internally.
ii. Antibiotics
iii. Consistent amount of Vitamin K
2. ACE Inhibitors (Lisinopril) (Benazepril)
a. Dilate venules and arterioles, improving renal blood flow and
decreasing blood fluid volume.
b. Blood pressure meds (anti-hypertensive).
c. Monitor for dry cough
d. Given for HTN
e. Monitor BP.
3. BiDil
a. FDA approval for treating HF, especially in African Americans.
4. AntiHypertensives / Diuretics
a. Hydrochlorathiazide (HCTZ)- BP medicine. Potassium wasting drug
not potassium sparing.
i. Monitor BP.
ii. Peripheral edema.
iii. Orthostatic Hypotension.
iv. Dizziness, confusion.
v. Monitor potassium labs.
1. 3.5-5
** Patient will also be on potassium. Monitor hypokalemia. If low, give hold
med, OJ and call the doctor.
, vi. Hypokalemia
1. Weakness, fatigue, arrhythmias, polyuria, polydipsia.
b. Diuretics (Lasix or Furosemide) – Diuretics produce increased urine
output by inhibiting sodium and water reabsorption from the kidney
tubules.
i. Give AM, daily weight. (report weight changes above 2
pounds)
ii. Loop diuretic
iii. Potassium wasting drug (3.5-5)
c. Aldactone (Spironolactone) (Potassium Sparing Diuretic)
i. Also used to treat HF.
ii. No salt substitutes.
1. Hyponatremia
iii. Hyperkalemia
1. Fatigue, muscle weakness, paresthesia, confusion,
dyspnea, cardiac arrhythmias.
2. Hold Potassium supplements if potassium is above 5.
5. Calcium Channel Blockers (Amlodipine) (Nifedipine)
a. Don’t take with grapefruit.
b. Don’t take with antacids.
c. Monitor BP, monitor for edema, jugular vein distention.
d. Dilators.
6. Beta Blockers (Atenolol, Propanolol)
a. Masks hypoglycemia.
b. Can make wheezing worse.
c. Monitor vitals (pulse and blood pressure). Hold if pulse under 60.
d. First choice of drug category in anti-hypertensives.
7. Nitroglycerin spray and tablets
a. What would you educate the client on?
i. Change positions slowly.
1. First dose should be taken while in a sitting or reclining
position, especially in geriatric patients.
2. Expect a headache
ii. Notify HCP if dry mouth or blurred vision occurs.
iii. Tablets
1. Keep tablets in original container. Exposure to air, heat,
and moisture can cause loss of potency.
NCLEX SUGGESTIONS
1. Cardiac Glycosides
a. Digoxin (Lanoxin)- Used for HF. .125 dose
i. Monitor pulse- Have patient demonstrate correct way to read
pulse, verbally repeat what we taught, answer questions
correctly about process.
ii. Levels: 0.8 – 2.0 ng/ mL
b. Coumadin (Warfarin) (Blood thinner) – Cardiac Glycoside
i. INR
1. 2-3 if on warfarin
2. 0.8-1.2 normal person not on warfarin.
3. Would be very high if bleeding internally.
ii. Antibiotics
iii. Consistent amount of Vitamin K
2. ACE Inhibitors (Lisinopril) (Benazepril)
a. Dilate venules and arterioles, improving renal blood flow and
decreasing blood fluid volume.
b. Blood pressure meds (anti-hypertensive).
c. Monitor for dry cough
d. Given for HTN
e. Monitor BP.
3. BiDil
a. FDA approval for treating HF, especially in African Americans.
4. AntiHypertensives / Diuretics
a. Hydrochlorathiazide (HCTZ)- BP medicine. Potassium wasting drug
not potassium sparing.
i. Monitor BP.
ii. Peripheral edema.
iii. Orthostatic Hypotension.
iv. Dizziness, confusion.
v. Monitor potassium labs.
1. 3.5-5
** Patient will also be on potassium. Monitor hypokalemia. If low, give hold
med, OJ and call the doctor.
, vi. Hypokalemia
1. Weakness, fatigue, arrhythmias, polyuria, polydipsia.
b. Diuretics (Lasix or Furosemide) – Diuretics produce increased urine
output by inhibiting sodium and water reabsorption from the kidney
tubules.
i. Give AM, daily weight. (report weight changes above 2
pounds)
ii. Loop diuretic
iii. Potassium wasting drug (3.5-5)
c. Aldactone (Spironolactone) (Potassium Sparing Diuretic)
i. Also used to treat HF.
ii. No salt substitutes.
1. Hyponatremia
iii. Hyperkalemia
1. Fatigue, muscle weakness, paresthesia, confusion,
dyspnea, cardiac arrhythmias.
2. Hold Potassium supplements if potassium is above 5.
5. Calcium Channel Blockers (Amlodipine) (Nifedipine)
a. Don’t take with grapefruit.
b. Don’t take with antacids.
c. Monitor BP, monitor for edema, jugular vein distention.
d. Dilators.
6. Beta Blockers (Atenolol, Propanolol)
a. Masks hypoglycemia.
b. Can make wheezing worse.
c. Monitor vitals (pulse and blood pressure). Hold if pulse under 60.
d. First choice of drug category in anti-hypertensives.
7. Nitroglycerin spray and tablets
a. What would you educate the client on?
i. Change positions slowly.
1. First dose should be taken while in a sitting or reclining
position, especially in geriatric patients.
2. Expect a headache
ii. Notify HCP if dry mouth or blurred vision occurs.
iii. Tablets
1. Keep tablets in original container. Exposure to air, heat,
and moisture can cause loss of potency.
