PHARMACOLOGY HESI RN QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
Methadone
pain management, heroine patients that need to be transitioned into sobriety
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
Muscle relaxant/antispasmodic, Physical dependence - do not d/c abruptly
Methocarbamol (Robaxin), Baclofen (Lioresal)
Muscle Relaxant
Benzodiazepines withdrawal symptoms
tremors, sweating, agitation, nervousness
Methylphenidate (Ritalin), amphetamine/dexaphetamine (Adderall)
used to help symptoms of ADD/ADHA, side effects include racing heartrate, thirst, and
reduced hunger
Sumatriptan (Imitrex) and Fioricet
used to treat migraines
Valporic Acid
Anticonvulsant - don't give to children, the side and adverse effects include sedation,
dizziness, ataxia, and confusion. When the client is taking this medication as a single
daily dose, administering it at bedtime negates the risk of injury from sedation and
enhances client safety. Otherwise, it may be given after meals to avoid gastrointestinal
upset.
Phenobarbital (Luminal)
Anticonvulsant/Hypnotic; tonic-clonic and partial seizures; the longest acting of common
barbiturates; combined with other drugs; adverse reactions: drowsiness, nystagmus,
ataxia, paradoxical excitement; therapeutic levels: 15-60mcg/ml; avoid rapid infusion,
monitor BP
Keppra (levetiracetam)
Anticonvulsant, kid friendly
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Anticonvulsant. SEs: Nysagmus, diplopia, EOM palsies, ataxia, gingival hyperplasia.
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
An anticonvulsant used to treat neuropathic pain, with super high doses good for
anxiety, the patient will be drowsy, given with other anticonvulsant drugs
Pregabalin (Lyrica)
used to treat neuropathic pain
Loratidine (Claritin), Cetrizine (Zyrtec)
antihistamines, tx for allergies
Benzonatate (Tessalon Perles), Codeine, dextromethorphan
antitussives helps to reduce cough
Guaifenesin (Mucinex)
, Category: Expectorant, Use: Productive and nonproductive cough, Precautions:
Increase fluids if possible
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
decongestant (alpha-1 adrenergic agonist)
Oxymetazoline (Afrin)
nasal decongestant; may cause rebound congestion if used for more than 3-5 days
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Anticoagulant that thins the blood, need to check INR/PT blood values, antidote is
vitamin k, if showing signs of bleeding check your INR, limit leafy green vegetables
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Antiprotozoal. Use: trichomoniasis and giardiasis. Clostridium difficile, amebic
dysentery, PID, vaginosis. Precautions: take with food, do not consume alcohol during
therapy or 48 hr after completion of regimen. Violent vomiting from patient means they
drank while taking.
Finasteride (Proscar) and Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Prostate Anti-inflammatory, treats BPH
calcium carbonate (Tums) and famotidine (Pepcid)
antacid, treatment is effective if heartburn is relieved, if taken with heart medications or
Synthroid it will reduce the effectiveness of the drugs, decreases absorption of the
medication
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Antidysrhythmic agent. Prolongs repolarization, relaxes smooth muscles, decreases
vascular resistance. For ventricular fibrillation and unstable ventricular tachycardia.
Incompatible with heparin, may be given in PO maintenance dose, monitor for
respiratory complications.
Norepinephrine (Levophed)
class: vasopressor
Indication: treatment of severe hypotension and shock
Action: increase blood pressure and cardiac output by stimulating alpha-adrenergic
receptors in the blood vessels, demonstrates minor beta activity
Nursing Considerations:
- monitor BP continuously if possible or every couple of minutes
- double check all concentrations with additional nurse
- may result in rebound hypotension due to tissue ischemia when discontinued
- monitor EKG and CVP if possible
- if patient is awake instruct them to report headaches, dizziness, or chest pain
Glargine (Lantus)
Long-acting insulin Onset 1 hour Peak (minimal) Duration up to 24 hours, check blood
sugar before giving any insulin, do not mix Lantas with any other insulin
Humalog (insulin lispro)
Classification: Anti-diabetic pancreatic hormone Onset < 15 min, Peak 1-2 hours,
duration 3-6 hours, do not give sooner than 15 minutes before a meal, Adverse
Reactions: hypoglycemia
Humalin R (regular)
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
Methadone
pain management, heroine patients that need to be transitioned into sobriety
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
Muscle relaxant/antispasmodic, Physical dependence - do not d/c abruptly
Methocarbamol (Robaxin), Baclofen (Lioresal)
Muscle Relaxant
Benzodiazepines withdrawal symptoms
tremors, sweating, agitation, nervousness
Methylphenidate (Ritalin), amphetamine/dexaphetamine (Adderall)
used to help symptoms of ADD/ADHA, side effects include racing heartrate, thirst, and
reduced hunger
Sumatriptan (Imitrex) and Fioricet
used to treat migraines
Valporic Acid
Anticonvulsant - don't give to children, the side and adverse effects include sedation,
dizziness, ataxia, and confusion. When the client is taking this medication as a single
daily dose, administering it at bedtime negates the risk of injury from sedation and
enhances client safety. Otherwise, it may be given after meals to avoid gastrointestinal
upset.
Phenobarbital (Luminal)
Anticonvulsant/Hypnotic; tonic-clonic and partial seizures; the longest acting of common
barbiturates; combined with other drugs; adverse reactions: drowsiness, nystagmus,
ataxia, paradoxical excitement; therapeutic levels: 15-60mcg/ml; avoid rapid infusion,
monitor BP
Keppra (levetiracetam)
Anticonvulsant, kid friendly
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Anticonvulsant. SEs: Nysagmus, diplopia, EOM palsies, ataxia, gingival hyperplasia.
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
An anticonvulsant used to treat neuropathic pain, with super high doses good for
anxiety, the patient will be drowsy, given with other anticonvulsant drugs
Pregabalin (Lyrica)
used to treat neuropathic pain
Loratidine (Claritin), Cetrizine (Zyrtec)
antihistamines, tx for allergies
Benzonatate (Tessalon Perles), Codeine, dextromethorphan
antitussives helps to reduce cough
Guaifenesin (Mucinex)
, Category: Expectorant, Use: Productive and nonproductive cough, Precautions:
Increase fluids if possible
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
decongestant (alpha-1 adrenergic agonist)
Oxymetazoline (Afrin)
nasal decongestant; may cause rebound congestion if used for more than 3-5 days
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Anticoagulant that thins the blood, need to check INR/PT blood values, antidote is
vitamin k, if showing signs of bleeding check your INR, limit leafy green vegetables
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Antiprotozoal. Use: trichomoniasis and giardiasis. Clostridium difficile, amebic
dysentery, PID, vaginosis. Precautions: take with food, do not consume alcohol during
therapy or 48 hr after completion of regimen. Violent vomiting from patient means they
drank while taking.
Finasteride (Proscar) and Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Prostate Anti-inflammatory, treats BPH
calcium carbonate (Tums) and famotidine (Pepcid)
antacid, treatment is effective if heartburn is relieved, if taken with heart medications or
Synthroid it will reduce the effectiveness of the drugs, decreases absorption of the
medication
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Antidysrhythmic agent. Prolongs repolarization, relaxes smooth muscles, decreases
vascular resistance. For ventricular fibrillation and unstable ventricular tachycardia.
Incompatible with heparin, may be given in PO maintenance dose, monitor for
respiratory complications.
Norepinephrine (Levophed)
class: vasopressor
Indication: treatment of severe hypotension and shock
Action: increase blood pressure and cardiac output by stimulating alpha-adrenergic
receptors in the blood vessels, demonstrates minor beta activity
Nursing Considerations:
- monitor BP continuously if possible or every couple of minutes
- double check all concentrations with additional nurse
- may result in rebound hypotension due to tissue ischemia when discontinued
- monitor EKG and CVP if possible
- if patient is awake instruct them to report headaches, dizziness, or chest pain
Glargine (Lantus)
Long-acting insulin Onset 1 hour Peak (minimal) Duration up to 24 hours, check blood
sugar before giving any insulin, do not mix Lantas with any other insulin
Humalog (insulin lispro)
Classification: Anti-diabetic pancreatic hormone Onset < 15 min, Peak 1-2 hours,
duration 3-6 hours, do not give sooner than 15 minutes before a meal, Adverse
Reactions: hypoglycemia
Humalin R (regular)
