(NUR2474) Pharmacology for Professional Nursing - Test #1 - Review
(NUR2474 Section CPPC2A0Z Pharmacology for Professional Nursing (11 Weeks) - Residential
and Online -
1. Lithium levels, use, side effects
o Lithium is a MOOD STABILIZER
o Levels:
▪ 0.4 to 1 mEq/L.
o Action:
▪ Prevents/decreases incidence of acute manic episodes
- May inhibit MOA = Increase activity of brain
o Use:
▪ Treat Bipolar Disorder
o Side Effects:
▪ Nausea, , Abdominal bloating, Anorexia, Fatigue, and Memory impairment,
Polyuria (frequently urinating), Tremor, Hypothyroidism
o Teratogenic
▪ Def: Can disturb the development of the embryo/fetus and produce malformation
o 1-3 weeks for full effect
2. Benzodiazepines uses, actions, antidote, side effects
o Suffix: -PAM, -LAM
o Fast Acting
o Short term use
o Can cause dependency
o Uses:
▪ Anxiety, Insomnia, and Seizure disorders, Muscle spasms, and Withdrawal
from alcohol
o Actions:
▪ Binds to GABA receptors to enhance the action of GABA
- GABA is a neurotransmitter that slows/calms the speed of brain
activity
o Antidote:
▪ Flumazenil
- Administered IV
o Side Effects:
▪ Sedation, Low respiration rate, Low blood pressure, Low heart rate, and
Amnesia
, 3. Medications for anxiety, sleep and concentration
o Anxiety:
▪ Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI’s)
- Suffix: -TINE, -LINE, -PRAM
- 4 weeks for full effect - Works slow
- Do not take with St. Johns Wort
- Action:
o Inhibits the reuptake of serotonin back into the neuron leading
to more serotonin floating around in the brain = Improve mood
- Use:
o Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, OCD
- Side Effects:
o Weight gain. Insomnia, and Sexual dysfunction
- Drug used: Paroxetine
o Dosage:
▪ 20 to 50 mg/day
- Drug used: Venlafaxine (SNRI)
o Dosage:
▪ 37.5 mg once a day
o Routes:
▪ Standard tablets (generic only)
▪ Nonbenzodiazepine-Nonbarbiturates
- Drug used: Buspirone (Atypical)
o 1-2 weeks for full effect – Works slow
o Short term use
o Does not cause sedation or dependency
o Take with food if GI upset
o Side Effects:
▪ Dizziness, Nausea, Headache
o Use:
▪ Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and Panic
▪ Benzodiazepines
- Suffix: -PAM, -LAM
- Works immediately
- Drug used: Diazepam
- Uses:
o Anxiety, Insomnia, and Seizure disorders, Muscle spasms, and
Withdrawal from alcohol
- Actions:
o Binds to GABA receptors to enhance the action of GABA
(NUR2474 Section CPPC2A0Z Pharmacology for Professional Nursing (11 Weeks) - Residential
and Online -
1. Lithium levels, use, side effects
o Lithium is a MOOD STABILIZER
o Levels:
▪ 0.4 to 1 mEq/L.
o Action:
▪ Prevents/decreases incidence of acute manic episodes
- May inhibit MOA = Increase activity of brain
o Use:
▪ Treat Bipolar Disorder
o Side Effects:
▪ Nausea, , Abdominal bloating, Anorexia, Fatigue, and Memory impairment,
Polyuria (frequently urinating), Tremor, Hypothyroidism
o Teratogenic
▪ Def: Can disturb the development of the embryo/fetus and produce malformation
o 1-3 weeks for full effect
2. Benzodiazepines uses, actions, antidote, side effects
o Suffix: -PAM, -LAM
o Fast Acting
o Short term use
o Can cause dependency
o Uses:
▪ Anxiety, Insomnia, and Seizure disorders, Muscle spasms, and Withdrawal
from alcohol
o Actions:
▪ Binds to GABA receptors to enhance the action of GABA
- GABA is a neurotransmitter that slows/calms the speed of brain
activity
o Antidote:
▪ Flumazenil
- Administered IV
o Side Effects:
▪ Sedation, Low respiration rate, Low blood pressure, Low heart rate, and
Amnesia
, 3. Medications for anxiety, sleep and concentration
o Anxiety:
▪ Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI’s)
- Suffix: -TINE, -LINE, -PRAM
- 4 weeks for full effect - Works slow
- Do not take with St. Johns Wort
- Action:
o Inhibits the reuptake of serotonin back into the neuron leading
to more serotonin floating around in the brain = Improve mood
- Use:
o Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, OCD
- Side Effects:
o Weight gain. Insomnia, and Sexual dysfunction
- Drug used: Paroxetine
o Dosage:
▪ 20 to 50 mg/day
- Drug used: Venlafaxine (SNRI)
o Dosage:
▪ 37.5 mg once a day
o Routes:
▪ Standard tablets (generic only)
▪ Nonbenzodiazepine-Nonbarbiturates
- Drug used: Buspirone (Atypical)
o 1-2 weeks for full effect – Works slow
o Short term use
o Does not cause sedation or dependency
o Take with food if GI upset
o Side Effects:
▪ Dizziness, Nausea, Headache
o Use:
▪ Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and Panic
▪ Benzodiazepines
- Suffix: -PAM, -LAM
- Works immediately
- Drug used: Diazepam
- Uses:
o Anxiety, Insomnia, and Seizure disorders, Muscle spasms, and
Withdrawal from alcohol
- Actions:
o Binds to GABA receptors to enhance the action of GABA
