The Top 100 Must-Know Drug Cards- Classification, MOA, Side Effects & NCLEX Pearls.

The Top 100 Must-Know Drug Cards:
Classification, MOA, Side Effects &
NCLEX Pearls
Pharmacology, Drug Cards, NCLEX, Nursing, Medication Safety,
MOA, Side Effects

, SECTION 1 — CARDIOVASCULAR
DRUGS
1. ACE Inhibitors (-pril)

• Example: Lisinopril, Enalapril
• MOA: Inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme → ↓ angiotensin II
→ vasodilation, ↓ aldosterone
• Side Effects: Dry cough, hyperkalemia, hypotension, angioedema
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor BP & K+, avoid NSAIDs,
check for angioedema
• NCLEX Pearl: Hold if systolic BP < 90 mmHg or K+ > 5.5
mEq/L

2. ARBs (-sartan)

• Example: Losartan, Valsartan
• MOA: Block angiotensin II receptors → vasodilation
• Side Effects: Dizziness, hyperkalemia, hypotension
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor BP, K+, kidney function
• NCLEX Pearl: Alternative to ACE inhibitors if cough occurs

3. Beta-Blockers (-olol)

• Example: Metoprolol, Atenolol
• MOA: Block β1 (heart) receptors → ↓ HR, ↓ BP, ↓ myocardial
oxygen demand
• Side Effects: Bradycardia, hypotension, fatigue, masking
hypoglycemia in diabetics
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor HR & BP, caution in asthma
(selective preferred)
• NCLEX Pearl: Hold if HR < 60 bpm

,4. Calcium Channel Blockers (-dipine)

• Example: Amlodipine, Diltiazem
• MOA: Block calcium influx → vasodilation, ↓ myocardial
contractility & HR
• Side Effects: Peripheral edema, hypotension, bradycardia
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor BP & HR, avoid grapefruit
with some
• NCLEX Pearl: Used for HTN and angina

5. Antiarrhythmics

• Example: Amiodarone
• MOA: Prolongs cardiac action potential → stabilizes heart rhythm
• Side Effects: Hypotension, bradycardia, pulmonary toxicity,
thyroid dysfunction
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor ECG, liver & thyroid function,
watch for pulmonary symptoms
• NCLEX Pearl: IV loading dose → continuous cardiac monitoring



SECTION 2 — ANTICOAGULANTS
& ANTIPLATELETS
6. Heparin

• MOA: Activates antithrombin III → inhibits thrombin & factor Xa
• Side Effects: Bleeding, thrombocytopenia, HIT (heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia)
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor aPTT, platelets, signs of
bleeding
• NCLEX Pearl: Antidote = Protamine sulfate

7. Warfarin

, • MOA: Inhibits vitamin K → ↓ clotting factors II, VII, IX, X
• Side Effects: Bleeding, bruising
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor INR, avoid vitamin K foods,
patient teaching
• NCLEX Pearl: Antidote = Vitamin K

8. Enoxaparin (LMWH)

• MOA: Inhibits factor Xa
• Side Effects: Bleeding, thrombocytopenia
• Nursing Considerations: SubQ injection, monitor platelets, rotate
sites
• NCLEX Pearl: Does not require routine aPTT

9. Aspirin

• MOA: Inhibits COX → ↓ thromboxane → antiplatelet
• Side Effects: GI bleeding, tinnitus
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor for bleeding, take with food
• NCLEX Pearl: Low-dose for MI prophylaxis

10. Clopidogrel (Plavix)

• MOA: Inhibits ADP receptor on platelets → prevents aggregation
• Side Effects: Bleeding, GI upset
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor for bleeding, do not stop
abruptly
• NCLEX Pearl: Often used post-stent placement



SECTION 3 — DIURETICS
11. Loop Diuretics (-ide)

• Example: Furosemide, Bumetanide

, • MOA: Inhibit Na+/K+/Cl− reabsorption in loop of Henle → ↑
urine output
• Side Effects: Hypokalemia, dehydration, hypotension, ototoxicity
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor K+, I&O, daily weight, BP
• NCLEX Pearl: Administer early morning to prevent nocturia

12. Thiazide Diuretics

• Example: Hydrochlorothiazide
• MOA: Inhibit Na+/Cl− reabsorption in distal tubule → mild
diuresis
• Side Effects: Hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, hypotension
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor electrolytes, BP
• NCLEX Pearl: Often first-line for HTN

13. Potassium-Sparing Diuretics

• Example: Spironolactone
• MOA: Aldosterone antagonist → ↑ Na+ excretion, K+ retention
• Side Effects: Hyperkalemia, gynecomastia
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor K+, BP
• NCLEX Pearl: Avoid K+ supplements



SECTION 4 — PAIN & ANTI-
INFLAMMATORY DRUGS
14. Acetaminophen

• MOA: Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis → analgesic & antipyretic
• Side Effects: Hepatotoxicity in high doses
• Nursing Considerations: Max 4 g/day, monitor liver function
• NCLEX Pearl: Does not have anti-inflammatory properties

,15. NSAIDs (-profen, -fenac)

• Example: Ibuprofen, Ketorolac
• MOA: COX inhibitor → analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
• Side Effects: GI bleeding, kidney injury, bleeding risk
• Nursing Considerations: Give with food, monitor renal function
& bleeding
• NCLEX Pearl: Avoid in renal impairment

16. Opioids

• Example: Morphine, Hydromorphone
• MOA: Bind opioid receptors → ↓ pain perception
• Side Effects: Respiratory depression, constipation, sedation
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor RR, BP, constipation, use PCA
carefully
• NCLEX Pearl: Naloxone is antidote for overdose



SECTION 5 — ANTIBIOTICS
17. Penicillins (-cillin)

• Example: Amoxicillin, Piperacillin
• MOA: Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis
• Side Effects: Allergic reaction, GI upset
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor for allergy, complete full
course
• NCLEX Pearl: Check for cross-allergy with cephalosporins

18. Cephalosporins (-cef, -ceph)

• Example: Ceftriaxone, Cephalexin
• MOA: Inhibit cell wall synthesis
• Side Effects: Allergy, diarrhea

, • Nursing Considerations: Check for penicillin allergy
• NCLEX Pearl: Often IV for severe infections

19. Aminoglycosides (-mycin)

• Example: Gentamicin
• MOA: Inhibit protein synthesis
• Side Effects: Nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor renal function, peak & trough
levels
• NCLEX Pearl: Monitor hearing and kidney labs

20. Fluoroquinolones (-floxacin)

• Example: Ciprofloxacin
• MOA: Inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase
• Side Effects: Tendon rupture, GI upset, CNS effects
• Nursing Considerations: Avoid in children <18, monitor for
tendon pain
• NCLEX Pearl: Take with plenty of fluids




SECTION 6 — CARDIAC /
ANTIHYPERTENSIVES
21. Digoxin

• MOA: ↑ cardiac contractility, ↓ HR via vagal stimulation
• Side Effects: Bradycardia, dysrhythmias, nausea, visual changes
• Nursing Considerations: Check apical HR ≥60 before giving,
monitor K+ & digoxin level
• NCLEX Pearl: Hypokalemia ↑ risk of toxicity

22. Nitroglycerin

, • MOA: Vasodilator → ↓ myocardial O2 demand
• Side Effects: Headache, hypotension, flushing
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor BP, hold if SBP <90, store in
dark bottle
• NCLEX Pearl: Sublingual for acute angina

23. Hydralazine

• MOA: Direct vasodilation → ↓ BP
• Side Effects: Tachycardia, headache, lupus-like syndrome
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor BP & HR
• NCLEX Pearl: Often used in hypertensive emergencies or
pregnancy

24. Clonidine

• MOA: Alpha-2 agonist → ↓ sympathetic outflow → ↓ BP
• Side Effects: Drowsiness, dry mouth, rebound hypertension if
stopped abruptly
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor BP, educate patient not to stop
abruptly
• NCLEX Pearl: Can also treat ADHD or opioid withdrawal

25. Statins (-statin)

• Example: Atorvastatin, Simvastatin
• MOA: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor → ↓ cholesterol synthesis
• Side Effects: Myalgia, hepatotoxicity, GI upset
• Nursing Considerations: Monitor liver function, avoid grapefruit
• NCLEX Pearl: Give at night when cholesterol synthesis is
highest

, SECTION 7 — ENDOCRINE /
DIABETES DRUGS
26. Insulin Rapid-Acting

• Example: Lispro, Aspart
• MOA: ↑ cellular uptake of glucose → ↓ blood sugar
• Side Effects: Hypoglycemia, weight gain, injection site reaction
• Nursing Considerations: Give with meals, monitor blood glucose
• NCLEX Pearl: Onset 15–30 min, peak 1–2 hr

27. Insulin Short-Acting

• Example: Regular
• MOA: Same as above
• Side Effects: Hypoglycemia, lipodystrophy
• Nursing Considerations: Give 30 min before meals, monitor
glucose
• NCLEX Pearl: Only insulin that can be given IV

28. Insulin Intermediate-Acting

• Example: NPH
• MOA: Same
• Side Effects: Hypoglycemia, lipodystrophy
• Nursing Considerations: Usually BID, monitor glucose
• NCLEX Pearl: Cloudy solution — roll to mix

29. Insulin Long-Acting

• Example: Glargine, Detemir
• MOA: Same
• Side Effects: Hypoglycemia, injection site reactions
• Nursing Considerations: Give once daily at same time, cannot
mix