NUR2474
Pharmacology for
Professional Nursing –
Examination Blueprint
– Final Exam
,Insulin: DM 1, DM 2, Gestational Diabetes – HYPOGLYCEMIA IS A DANGEROUS ADVERSE
EFFECT AND HIGH PRIORITY FOR TREATMENT
o What types of insulin are ordered before meals and at bedtime? Lispro and Regular; Lantus (hs, not
with meals) Why? SUGAR DROPS OVERNIGHT and this can be DANGEROUS so NO NPH at bedtime
o What type of insulin is sometimes given at bedtime, has the longest duration of all the insulins,
CANNOT BE MIXED WITH OTHER INSULINS, and for elderly patients is often split into two doses (one
in the morning and one at bedtime)? Insulin Glargine (Lantus) is usually given once a day at bedtime.
Elderly individuals often have their dose split in two and are administered one dose in the morning
and one dose at night; In addition, sometimes insulin lispro is given in a sliding scale with a snack in
the evening. It does not last throughout the night - that’s what we want to avoid.
*Insulin aspart protamine in combo with insulin aspart would NOT be given in the evening, as it
lasts too long.
*NPH would peak at exactly the WRONG TIME. Do not give that one at bedtime.
o Why is a nurse concerned for a beta-blocker/insulin combination? Beta Blockers can mask some of
the symptoms of hypoglycemia What do you assess for? What symptoms could be concealed by
taking a beta blocker while on insulin? Symptoms of hypoglycemia:
• Feeling shaky.
• Being nervous or anxious.
• Sweating, chills, and clamminess.
• Irritability or impatience.
• Confusion.
• Fast heartbeat.
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
• Hunger.
You will need to know the following chart:
Onset: When the medicine starts to work (when the blood sugar is going to start to go down).
Peak: Usually when the medicine is at its highest level, and you get the highest effect (in this
case it equates to the times when you see the lowest blood sugars).
Duration: How long the medication is going to last in effectiveness (how long is it going to affect
blood sugars).
, o
MOST ORAL ANTI-DIABETICS (ORAL HYPOGLYCEMICS): Type 2 Diabetes. Most do not work for type 1
diabetes, do not risk it with babies we use regular insulin for gestational diabetes.
Glipizide (Glucotrol): o How does it work? is in a class of medications called sulfonylureas. Glipizide
lowers blood sugar by causing the pancreas to produce insulin (a natural substance that is needed to
break down sugar in the body) and helping the body use insulin efficiently.
o What diagnosis is it effective for? Type 2, less than 5 years, no end organ damage, young enough o
What classification(s) does it fit into? Oral hypoglycemic, Anti-diabetic,
o What are the side/adverse effects? Hypoglycemia, diarrhea.constipation, nausea, vomiting, upset
stomach, loss of appetite. Headache, weight gain,
o What are contraindications?
• low blood sugar.
• pituitary hormone deficiency.
• a condition where the adrenal glands produce less hormones called Addison's disease.
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
• hepatic porphyria.
• a type of blood disorder where the red blood cells burst called hemolytic anemia.
alcoholism.
o Are there drug-drug interactions? Do not take if allergic to sulfa o Are there drug-alcohol
interactions? Do not take with alcohol
o Are there drug-food interactions? Take with breakfast (this person will still need to be checking
their BS at least once a day)
Metformin:
o How does it work? works by reducing the amount of sugar your liver releases into your blood. It
also makes your body respond better to insulin.
o What diagnosis is it effective for? Type 2, less than 5 years, no end organ damage, young enough o
What classification(s) does it fit into? Oral hypoglycemic, Anti-diabetic
o What are the side/adverse effects? Can be harsh on end organs, esp. kidneys. It's best to take
metformin with a meal to reduce the side effects. IF SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE CONTRAST FOR
A CT: THE METFORMIN IS STOPPED PRIOR TO HAVING THE CONTRAST. If they are
taking metformin, and they come into an ER and a CT with contrast is ordered, do not blindly send
the patient to CT, LET THE PROVIDER KNOW AND THEY WILL ORDER IT WITHOUT
CONTRAST. Since it is so hard on the kidneys, drink plenty of water.
o What are contraindications? Kidney disease, heart attack; stroke; diabetic ketoacidosis (blood sugar
that is high enough to cause severe symptoms and requires emergency medical treatment); a coma;
or heart or liver disease
Acarbose:
o How does it work? What diagnosis is it effective for? by slowing the action of certain chemicals that
break down food to release glucose (sugar) into your blood. Slowing food digestion helps keep
blood glucose from rising extremely high after meals
o What classification(s) does it fit into? alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, which also includes miglitol
Pharmacology for
Professional Nursing –
Examination Blueprint
– Final Exam
,Insulin: DM 1, DM 2, Gestational Diabetes – HYPOGLYCEMIA IS A DANGEROUS ADVERSE
EFFECT AND HIGH PRIORITY FOR TREATMENT
o What types of insulin are ordered before meals and at bedtime? Lispro and Regular; Lantus (hs, not
with meals) Why? SUGAR DROPS OVERNIGHT and this can be DANGEROUS so NO NPH at bedtime
o What type of insulin is sometimes given at bedtime, has the longest duration of all the insulins,
CANNOT BE MIXED WITH OTHER INSULINS, and for elderly patients is often split into two doses (one
in the morning and one at bedtime)? Insulin Glargine (Lantus) is usually given once a day at bedtime.
Elderly individuals often have their dose split in two and are administered one dose in the morning
and one dose at night; In addition, sometimes insulin lispro is given in a sliding scale with a snack in
the evening. It does not last throughout the night - that’s what we want to avoid.
*Insulin aspart protamine in combo with insulin aspart would NOT be given in the evening, as it
lasts too long.
*NPH would peak at exactly the WRONG TIME. Do not give that one at bedtime.
o Why is a nurse concerned for a beta-blocker/insulin combination? Beta Blockers can mask some of
the symptoms of hypoglycemia What do you assess for? What symptoms could be concealed by
taking a beta blocker while on insulin? Symptoms of hypoglycemia:
• Feeling shaky.
• Being nervous or anxious.
• Sweating, chills, and clamminess.
• Irritability or impatience.
• Confusion.
• Fast heartbeat.
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
• Hunger.
You will need to know the following chart:
Onset: When the medicine starts to work (when the blood sugar is going to start to go down).
Peak: Usually when the medicine is at its highest level, and you get the highest effect (in this
case it equates to the times when you see the lowest blood sugars).
Duration: How long the medication is going to last in effectiveness (how long is it going to affect
blood sugars).
, o
MOST ORAL ANTI-DIABETICS (ORAL HYPOGLYCEMICS): Type 2 Diabetes. Most do not work for type 1
diabetes, do not risk it with babies we use regular insulin for gestational diabetes.
Glipizide (Glucotrol): o How does it work? is in a class of medications called sulfonylureas. Glipizide
lowers blood sugar by causing the pancreas to produce insulin (a natural substance that is needed to
break down sugar in the body) and helping the body use insulin efficiently.
o What diagnosis is it effective for? Type 2, less than 5 years, no end organ damage, young enough o
What classification(s) does it fit into? Oral hypoglycemic, Anti-diabetic,
o What are the side/adverse effects? Hypoglycemia, diarrhea.constipation, nausea, vomiting, upset
stomach, loss of appetite. Headache, weight gain,
o What are contraindications?
• low blood sugar.
• pituitary hormone deficiency.
• a condition where the adrenal glands produce less hormones called Addison's disease.
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
• hepatic porphyria.
• a type of blood disorder where the red blood cells burst called hemolytic anemia.
alcoholism.
o Are there drug-drug interactions? Do not take if allergic to sulfa o Are there drug-alcohol
interactions? Do not take with alcohol
o Are there drug-food interactions? Take with breakfast (this person will still need to be checking
their BS at least once a day)
Metformin:
o How does it work? works by reducing the amount of sugar your liver releases into your blood. It
also makes your body respond better to insulin.
o What diagnosis is it effective for? Type 2, less than 5 years, no end organ damage, young enough o
What classification(s) does it fit into? Oral hypoglycemic, Anti-diabetic
o What are the side/adverse effects? Can be harsh on end organs, esp. kidneys. It's best to take
metformin with a meal to reduce the side effects. IF SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE CONTRAST FOR
A CT: THE METFORMIN IS STOPPED PRIOR TO HAVING THE CONTRAST. If they are
taking metformin, and they come into an ER and a CT with contrast is ordered, do not blindly send
the patient to CT, LET THE PROVIDER KNOW AND THEY WILL ORDER IT WITHOUT
CONTRAST. Since it is so hard on the kidneys, drink plenty of water.
o What are contraindications? Kidney disease, heart attack; stroke; diabetic ketoacidosis (blood sugar
that is high enough to cause severe symptoms and requires emergency medical treatment); a coma;
or heart or liver disease
Acarbose:
o How does it work? What diagnosis is it effective for? by slowing the action of certain chemicals that
break down food to release glucose (sugar) into your blood. Slowing food digestion helps keep
blood glucose from rising extremely high after meals
o What classification(s) does it fit into? alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, which also includes miglitol
