Family Nurse Practitioner Exam Study Guide
Questions And Answers Verified 100% Correct
Calcium channel blockers - ANSWER agents that inhibit the entry of calcium ions into
heart muscle cells, causing a slowing of the heart rate, a lessening of the demand for
oxygen and nutrients, and a relaxing of the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels to
cause dilation
used to prevent or treat angina pectoris, some arrhythmias, pulmonary htn, and
hypertension
first line for Raynaud's phenomenon (nifedipine, amlodipine)
Raynaud's Phenomenon - ANSWER a peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which
intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress
s/sx: symmetric color changes in fingers from white to blue to red with numbness and
tingling, ulcers
tx: avoid triggers, gloves/layers , r/o autoimmune disease, CCBs (nifedipine,
amlodipine)
CCB drugs - ANSWER Amlodipine
Nifedipine
Verapamil
Diltiazem
CCB side effects - ANSWER Causes peripheral edema due to vasodilation effect(not
fluid overload)
Avoid use with heart failure (HfrEF)
Constipation (may be severe in elderly, take fiber supplement and increase fluids)
Beta Blockers: Definition and treatment - ANSWER decrease heart rate and dilate
arteries by blocking beta receptors
treat HTN, **post-MI, angina, arrhythmias, and migraine prophylaxis
Beta Blockers: drugs - ANSWER suffix -olol
,cardiac selective:
atenolol (Tenormin)
metoprolol (Lopressor)
noncardiac selective:
propranolol (Inderal)
carvedilol
Beta Blocker: side effects - ANSWER - do not use in asthma or COPD
-blunts hypoglycemic response
Alpha Blockers: drugs and treatment - ANSWER improves BPH
*first line drug for males with HTN and BPH
suffix -osin
Terazosin (Hytrin)
Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Doxazosin (Cardura)
Side effects: orthostatic hypotension (falls in elderly)
OTC Nasal Sprays/Topicals - ANSWER Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray (Afrin)
Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)
Azelastine (Astelin)
short term decongestants for allergies and common cold
do not exceed >3 days use d/t rhinitis medicamentosa
OTC antihistamines - ANSWER diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - not for elderly d/t
sedation
loratadine (Claratin) - lower sedation
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) - longer acting, not sedating
OTC Decongestants - ANSWER Pseudophedrine (Sudafed)
Phenylephrine
- stimulant drugs... dont combine with caffeine, Ritalin, albuterol, etc or risk heart
palpitations, tremors, anxiety
- Can constrict blood vessels causing an increase in BP & HR, so want to caution
anyone that has HTN, CAD, or on cardiac meds
,OTC Antitussive/Mucolytic - ANSWER Antitussive: Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM
or Delsym), Benzonate (Tessalon)
Mucolytic: Guaifenesin (Mucinex DM)
Ketorolac (Toradol) - ANSWER nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, nonopioid
analgesics
Indication: pain
Action: Pain relief due to prostaglandin inhibition (not for pregnant women)
Nursing Considerations:
-may cause GI bleeding, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, anaphylaxis, drowsiness
- should not exceed 5 days of therapy***
- bleeding risk increased with garlic, ginger, and ginkgo
- may decrease effectiveness of hypertensive medications and diuretics
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - ANSWER analgesic, antipyretic
Overdose antidote: Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)
- maximum dose is 3-4 g/day
- don't exceed 10+ days of use
- avoid if chronic liver diseases or excess alcohol intake
Capsaicin topical cream (Zostrix HP) - ANSWER first line for pain treatment of
postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and trigeminal neuralgia
Aspirin (ASA, Bayer) - ANSWER Anti-platelet
IND: blood thinner, CAD, fever, mild to moderator pain.
Inhibit Cox 1 and Cox 2
Side effects: HTN, GI discomfort, impaired kidney function, salicylism, Reye's syndrome
Nursing Considerations: remind patient of bleeding risk; *stop 1 week before surgery;
take with food or milk; avoid alcohol; use cautiously in adults with bleeding potential,
asthma, smokers and PUD
Discontinue is patient complains of tinnitus: possible aspirin toxicity
, prophylactic treatment for prevention of cardiac disease and colorectal cancer in adults
50-59yoa with 10% or higher risk
*irreversibly suppresses platelets for up to 4 days. Platelet lifespan is 10 days.
Systemic/Oral Steroids: Drugs, Use, & Considerations - ANSWER Prednisone,
Methylprednisolone
first line: polymyalgia rheumatica; rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, anaphylaxis, septic shock,
asthma exacerbations
taper off dose to avoid adrenal suppression
Topical Steroids: Drugs, Use, & Considerations - ANSWER inflammatory skin disease
and acute/contact dermatitis
Low potency (Class 7): Hydrocortisone
Mid potency (Class 5): Desonide
High potency (Class 4): Mometasone
Higher potency (Class 3): Triamcinolone (Kenalog)
HPA axis suppression, immunosuppression, skin atrophy; Lowest potency for thinnest
skin; avoid eyes for risk of blindness or glaucoma; ointments are highest potency
Drugs/Drug Classes requiring tapering - ANSWER Avoid abrupt withdrawal!
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Clonidine (Catapres)
Gabapentin (Neurotin)
Long term Steroid Course
Propranolol (Inderal)
Benzos
Opioids
Naltrexone/Bupropion - ANSWER opioid overdose antidote
Controlled Substances: Schedule II - ANSWER Demerol, Dilaudid, OxyContin,
Fentanyl, amphetamines
- new prescription required monthly if taking daily, 30 day pill allotment only
- no refills
- prescriptions expire q 6 months
Questions And Answers Verified 100% Correct
Calcium channel blockers - ANSWER agents that inhibit the entry of calcium ions into
heart muscle cells, causing a slowing of the heart rate, a lessening of the demand for
oxygen and nutrients, and a relaxing of the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels to
cause dilation
used to prevent or treat angina pectoris, some arrhythmias, pulmonary htn, and
hypertension
first line for Raynaud's phenomenon (nifedipine, amlodipine)
Raynaud's Phenomenon - ANSWER a peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which
intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress
s/sx: symmetric color changes in fingers from white to blue to red with numbness and
tingling, ulcers
tx: avoid triggers, gloves/layers , r/o autoimmune disease, CCBs (nifedipine,
amlodipine)
CCB drugs - ANSWER Amlodipine
Nifedipine
Verapamil
Diltiazem
CCB side effects - ANSWER Causes peripheral edema due to vasodilation effect(not
fluid overload)
Avoid use with heart failure (HfrEF)
Constipation (may be severe in elderly, take fiber supplement and increase fluids)
Beta Blockers: Definition and treatment - ANSWER decrease heart rate and dilate
arteries by blocking beta receptors
treat HTN, **post-MI, angina, arrhythmias, and migraine prophylaxis
Beta Blockers: drugs - ANSWER suffix -olol
,cardiac selective:
atenolol (Tenormin)
metoprolol (Lopressor)
noncardiac selective:
propranolol (Inderal)
carvedilol
Beta Blocker: side effects - ANSWER - do not use in asthma or COPD
-blunts hypoglycemic response
Alpha Blockers: drugs and treatment - ANSWER improves BPH
*first line drug for males with HTN and BPH
suffix -osin
Terazosin (Hytrin)
Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Doxazosin (Cardura)
Side effects: orthostatic hypotension (falls in elderly)
OTC Nasal Sprays/Topicals - ANSWER Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray (Afrin)
Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)
Azelastine (Astelin)
short term decongestants for allergies and common cold
do not exceed >3 days use d/t rhinitis medicamentosa
OTC antihistamines - ANSWER diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - not for elderly d/t
sedation
loratadine (Claratin) - lower sedation
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) - longer acting, not sedating
OTC Decongestants - ANSWER Pseudophedrine (Sudafed)
Phenylephrine
- stimulant drugs... dont combine with caffeine, Ritalin, albuterol, etc or risk heart
palpitations, tremors, anxiety
- Can constrict blood vessels causing an increase in BP & HR, so want to caution
anyone that has HTN, CAD, or on cardiac meds
,OTC Antitussive/Mucolytic - ANSWER Antitussive: Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM
or Delsym), Benzonate (Tessalon)
Mucolytic: Guaifenesin (Mucinex DM)
Ketorolac (Toradol) - ANSWER nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, nonopioid
analgesics
Indication: pain
Action: Pain relief due to prostaglandin inhibition (not for pregnant women)
Nursing Considerations:
-may cause GI bleeding, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, anaphylaxis, drowsiness
- should not exceed 5 days of therapy***
- bleeding risk increased with garlic, ginger, and ginkgo
- may decrease effectiveness of hypertensive medications and diuretics
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - ANSWER analgesic, antipyretic
Overdose antidote: Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)
- maximum dose is 3-4 g/day
- don't exceed 10+ days of use
- avoid if chronic liver diseases or excess alcohol intake
Capsaicin topical cream (Zostrix HP) - ANSWER first line for pain treatment of
postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and trigeminal neuralgia
Aspirin (ASA, Bayer) - ANSWER Anti-platelet
IND: blood thinner, CAD, fever, mild to moderator pain.
Inhibit Cox 1 and Cox 2
Side effects: HTN, GI discomfort, impaired kidney function, salicylism, Reye's syndrome
Nursing Considerations: remind patient of bleeding risk; *stop 1 week before surgery;
take with food or milk; avoid alcohol; use cautiously in adults with bleeding potential,
asthma, smokers and PUD
Discontinue is patient complains of tinnitus: possible aspirin toxicity
, prophylactic treatment for prevention of cardiac disease and colorectal cancer in adults
50-59yoa with 10% or higher risk
*irreversibly suppresses platelets for up to 4 days. Platelet lifespan is 10 days.
Systemic/Oral Steroids: Drugs, Use, & Considerations - ANSWER Prednisone,
Methylprednisolone
first line: polymyalgia rheumatica; rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, anaphylaxis, septic shock,
asthma exacerbations
taper off dose to avoid adrenal suppression
Topical Steroids: Drugs, Use, & Considerations - ANSWER inflammatory skin disease
and acute/contact dermatitis
Low potency (Class 7): Hydrocortisone
Mid potency (Class 5): Desonide
High potency (Class 4): Mometasone
Higher potency (Class 3): Triamcinolone (Kenalog)
HPA axis suppression, immunosuppression, skin atrophy; Lowest potency for thinnest
skin; avoid eyes for risk of blindness or glaucoma; ointments are highest potency
Drugs/Drug Classes requiring tapering - ANSWER Avoid abrupt withdrawal!
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Clonidine (Catapres)
Gabapentin (Neurotin)
Long term Steroid Course
Propranolol (Inderal)
Benzos
Opioids
Naltrexone/Bupropion - ANSWER opioid overdose antidote
Controlled Substances: Schedule II - ANSWER Demerol, Dilaudid, OxyContin,
Fentanyl, amphetamines
- new prescription required monthly if taking daily, 30 day pill allotment only
- no refills
- prescriptions expire q 6 months
