EXAM 1
Guide your studies by knowing the drug classification and what it is used for with all meds
included below; drugs in the same classifications have many similar side effects, nursing
considerations, nursing interventions, and patient teaching.
10 Rights of Medication Administration – know what they are and what they mean (examples
of each)
right med
right dose
right time (within 30 min)
right route
right client
right documentation
***NPO order overrides medication order!!! Proper documentation on MAR is required i.e.
NPO. Later dose does not violate medication time because the order was followed.
***Pain meds can be given prior to physical therapy per medication order…
Loading Dose: Large initial dose, known as the loading dose, of drug is given to achieve a rapid
minimum effective concentration in the plasma.
Illegible RX – nursing action (what to do?) Call the Physician
Nursing considerations with regard to lack of medication compliance *** Asking why is part of
the assessment. Why are they noncompliant? What is their education level?
Half-life – what does it explain? Time period for a drug to decrease to one half of it’s peak level
in the blood.
Tolerance – what is it? Refers to a decreased responsiveness over the course of the therapy.
Know the considerations with crushing medications – what can/can’t be crushed No long-
acting, sustained release, extended release, controlled release, enteric coated. (Ecotrine)
Patient teaching for transdermal therapy Change location, make sure last medication is off,
don’t rub ***Don’t shave because infection and quicker absorption. Can also cause irritation.
Symptoms of allergic response and what to do Can’t breath, swell, rash… epinephrine or
Benadryl *** Stop medication and call the doctor then Benadryl.
Know the responses that the body has to adrenergics, cholinergics, adrenergic blockers,
anticholinergics, sympathomimetics, sympatholytics.
Sympathomimetics:
, AKA Adrenergic/Catecholamines
Cause Hypertension, Tachycardia, Bronchodilation
Used to treat wheezes, shock, and ADHD
Activates the Adrenergic receptors
Sympatholitics:
AKA Adrenergic Blockers
Cause hypotension and Bradycardia (must be monitored)
Used to reduce BP, pulse, stop angina, and for glaucoma
Blocks Adrenergic receptors
Review the handout on ANS from class and compare it to the charts in purple boxes in Keep
text that review what response each classification of these drugs causes – you will review
that some classifications cause similar responses, yet responses may be more prominent in a
specific classification – this takes critical thinking with regards to the medications primary
purpose/effect
Adrenergic beta blocker – Atenolol (Tenormin) – use, side effects RX that end in lol, RX to
reduce B/P, RX to slow pulse, RX to stop angina, RX for glaucoma
Use: to treat HTN, angina, MI, CHF
Action: Blocks beta 1 adrenergic receptor sites and decrease sympathetic outflow to
periphery
Side Effects: Bradycardia, bronchoconstriction, drowsiness, dizziness, orthostatic
hypotension, fainting, depression, alopecia, weakness, N/V/D, cool extremities,
impotence and decreased libido
Anticholinergics: side effects/nursing considerations
(Cogentin) benzotropine – use, side effects, patient teaching ***Can be used to treat EPS
except tardive dyskinesia
Use: decrease involuntary symptoms of parkinsonism or drug induced parkinsonism
Action: blocks cholinergic (muscarinic receptors) causes decrease in acetocholine to
reduce excessive cholinergic activity
Side effects: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, dry eyes, restlessness, flushing
and dizziness, blurred vision and photophobia, pupil dilation, amnesia, confusion,
weakness, hyperthermia, decreased sweating
Anticholinergic - Atropine – use, side effects, nursing interventions and considerations with
use and after dose
Guide your studies by knowing the drug classification and what it is used for with all meds
included below; drugs in the same classifications have many similar side effects, nursing
considerations, nursing interventions, and patient teaching.
10 Rights of Medication Administration – know what they are and what they mean (examples
of each)
right med
right dose
right time (within 30 min)
right route
right client
right documentation
***NPO order overrides medication order!!! Proper documentation on MAR is required i.e.
NPO. Later dose does not violate medication time because the order was followed.
***Pain meds can be given prior to physical therapy per medication order…
Loading Dose: Large initial dose, known as the loading dose, of drug is given to achieve a rapid
minimum effective concentration in the plasma.
Illegible RX – nursing action (what to do?) Call the Physician
Nursing considerations with regard to lack of medication compliance *** Asking why is part of
the assessment. Why are they noncompliant? What is their education level?
Half-life – what does it explain? Time period for a drug to decrease to one half of it’s peak level
in the blood.
Tolerance – what is it? Refers to a decreased responsiveness over the course of the therapy.
Know the considerations with crushing medications – what can/can’t be crushed No long-
acting, sustained release, extended release, controlled release, enteric coated. (Ecotrine)
Patient teaching for transdermal therapy Change location, make sure last medication is off,
don’t rub ***Don’t shave because infection and quicker absorption. Can also cause irritation.
Symptoms of allergic response and what to do Can’t breath, swell, rash… epinephrine or
Benadryl *** Stop medication and call the doctor then Benadryl.
Know the responses that the body has to adrenergics, cholinergics, adrenergic blockers,
anticholinergics, sympathomimetics, sympatholytics.
Sympathomimetics:
, AKA Adrenergic/Catecholamines
Cause Hypertension, Tachycardia, Bronchodilation
Used to treat wheezes, shock, and ADHD
Activates the Adrenergic receptors
Sympatholitics:
AKA Adrenergic Blockers
Cause hypotension and Bradycardia (must be monitored)
Used to reduce BP, pulse, stop angina, and for glaucoma
Blocks Adrenergic receptors
Review the handout on ANS from class and compare it to the charts in purple boxes in Keep
text that review what response each classification of these drugs causes – you will review
that some classifications cause similar responses, yet responses may be more prominent in a
specific classification – this takes critical thinking with regards to the medications primary
purpose/effect
Adrenergic beta blocker – Atenolol (Tenormin) – use, side effects RX that end in lol, RX to
reduce B/P, RX to slow pulse, RX to stop angina, RX for glaucoma
Use: to treat HTN, angina, MI, CHF
Action: Blocks beta 1 adrenergic receptor sites and decrease sympathetic outflow to
periphery
Side Effects: Bradycardia, bronchoconstriction, drowsiness, dizziness, orthostatic
hypotension, fainting, depression, alopecia, weakness, N/V/D, cool extremities,
impotence and decreased libido
Anticholinergics: side effects/nursing considerations
(Cogentin) benzotropine – use, side effects, patient teaching ***Can be used to treat EPS
except tardive dyskinesia
Use: decrease involuntary symptoms of parkinsonism or drug induced parkinsonism
Action: blocks cholinergic (muscarinic receptors) causes decrease in acetocholine to
reduce excessive cholinergic activity
Side effects: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, dry eyes, restlessness, flushing
and dizziness, blurred vision and photophobia, pupil dilation, amnesia, confusion,
weakness, hyperthermia, decreased sweating
Anticholinergic - Atropine – use, side effects, nursing interventions and considerations with
use and after dose
