ATI Pharmacology Study Guide 2021 General Tips NURS FUNDAMENTA

General
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Tips
Medication ending in (Sone) = steroids
o Monitor for weight gain, fluid retention hyperglycemia hypokalemia peptic ulcer disease
Herbal Supplements start with letter (G) like Ginger
o Increase risk of bleeding
 Mab or Nib endings = immunosuppressants/cancer medication
o Risk for infection
 Most medications are contraindicated for Pregnancy
 Never stop medication abruptly
 If you miss a dose of medication, do NOT double up (besides birth control)
 ALWAYS complete entire course of antibiotic medication
 NEVER chew or crush ER capsules/tabs (extended releases)
 Most medications don’t drink alcohol
 Always consider ABCs first and Maslow Hierarchy of Needs (safety is our priority)

Manifestation of Fluid Volume Excess
 Distended Neck veins
 Increased BP, tachycardia
 GI: anorexia, nausea
 Edema

Hypertonic Solution
 If client is hyponatremic and gets hypertonic solution you should see an improvement in cognition
 D
Nitroglycerin Transdermal patch education
 Remove patch prior to going to bed
Sodium Polystyrene sulfonate (kayexalate)
 Report to provider if potassium (K+) 5.2 mEq/L
o Hyperkalemia increases risk for cardiac dysrhythmias
Tuberculosis treatment
 Rifampin and isoniazid
o If patient is adhering to medication the client should have negative sputum culture
Anaphylactic reaction
 Give epinephrine IM
St John Wort
 Contraindicated with antidepressants
o Example: Sertraline
Lisinopril
 Side effects
o Hypotension
PPT of 90 seconds patient is receiving heparin
 VS changes
o Increased blood pressure
Nurse discovers medication error

,  The nurse who identifies the error is responsible for completing incident report
Morphine
 Side effects
 Allergic reactions
o pruritions
How to Administer Digoxin orally
a. Obtain the client’s apical heart rate
b. Remove the medication from the dispensing system
c. Open the medication package
d. Compare the client’s wristband to the medication administration record
e. Document administration of the medication
Acetaminophen
 Contraindications
o Alcohol use disorder
Furosemide
 If a patient gain weights, the nurse needs to determine medication adherence of the client
Penicillin G IM
 Allergic reaction
o Urticaria
Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets
 Patient education
o Keep the tablets at room temperature in their original glass bottle
Theophylline
 Patient Education
o Can take medication in morning with coffee
Mixing Insulins
 Mixing regular insulin and NPH insulin in same syringe the nurse should inject air into the NPH vial

Heparin
 Patient education
o Sub-Q
 Insert the needle at least 5cm (2in) from the Umbilicus
Amoxicillin
 Allergic reaction
o Laryngeal edema, urticaria, rash, hypotension, dyspnea, swelling of face/lips/tongue
 Side effects
o Renal impairment, hyperkalemia, dysrhythmias, hypernatremia

Medication Reconciliation
 Perform medication reconciliation if a client is being transferred to a step down unit or to a different floor

Atorvastatin
 Lab values
o LDL 120 mg/dL
IV site is cool and edematous (infiltration)
 Nursing action

, o Apply warm moist compress
Clozapine
 Patient education
o Notify provider if you develop a fever while taking this medication
Oral Contraceptives
 Patient education
o It can take up to 1 yr to become pregnant after stopping an oral contraceptive
Patient has Dysphagia
 Mix medication with semisolid food for the patient

Omeprazole
 Education
o Do not take an antacid with omeprazole
Influenza vaccine
 Contraindications
o Eggs
Benign prostate hypertrophy natural supplement
 Saw Palmetto
Risk factor for developing digoxin toxicity
 Taking a high ceiling diuretic

Morphine
 Overdose on morphine give Naloxone
o Naloxone therapeutic effect
 Increased respiratory rate
Cefuroxime
 Nurse reporting to provider
o If the patient has a history of severe penicillin allergy
Hypermagnesemia
 Treatment
o Calcium gluconate
Ondansetron (Zofran)
 Therapeutic effect
o Client reports decrease in nausea, vomiting
Pain Management
 If patient has cancer, IM administration is recommended if PO opioids are ineffective
Carbamazepine
 Interactions
o Estrogen-progestin combination
Gentamicin
 Antibiotic medication puts clients at risk for developing hearing loss

Fluticasone metered dose inhaler
 Patient education
o Shake device prior to administration
o Space will make it easier to use device

, o Rinse mouth following administration
Lovastatin
 Patient education
o Need liver function test before beginning therapy
Infiltration from peripheral IV infusion
 Nursing actions
o Elevate extremity
Albumin
 Therapeutic effects
o Increase in BP
Older adult clients
 Patient education
o Risk factor for adverse drug reactions
 Polypharmacy
 Decrease percentage of body fat
 Multiple health problems
 Decrease renal function
Tobramycin
 Lab values
o Report to provider if creatinine 2.5 mg/dL
Enoxaparin
 Patient education on administration
o Apply firm pressure to injection site following administration

Break through pain
 If client gets morphine for cancer pain and 1 hour later report pain, fentanyl transmucosal can be given to treat
breakthrough pain
Hypercalcemia
 Signs
o Constipation
Potassium infusion
 K+ infusion needs to be slow
o Example of fast infusion, potassium chloride 30mEq 100mL over 30 minutes
Chronic heart failure
 Treatment
o Digoxin
 Lab value to report
 Hypokalemia
o K+2.9 (3.0-5.0 is normal)
Rifampin
 Normal signs
o Urine and sweat have a red tinge
 Education patients that this is a normal finding
 Nurses should document this as a normal finding (expected finding)
Metoprolol
 Administration