NUR1211 E MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING I
EXAM COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW GUIDE 2026
◉ Nitroglycerin IV, Uses, Class, and Adverse effects Answer:
•Functional Class: Antianginal, Coronary Vasodilator
•Therapeutic Use: Chronic Stable Angina, Heart Failure, acute MI
•Side Effects: headache flushing, dizziness, postural hypotension
•Adverse Effects: Vascular collapse
◉ Nitroglycerin IV Nursing Considerations Answer: •Nursing
Considerations:
•Careful observation of vital signs; can lower BP quickly.
•Titrate to relieve chest pain
◉ Nitroglycerin Tabs, Class, Use, and Adverse Effects Answer:
•Functional Class: Antianginal; Cardiovascular Vasodilator
•Therapeutic Use: Prevent/treat angina
•Side Effects: headache, flushing, hypotension
•Adverse Effects: vascular collapse, syncope
◉ Nitroglycerin Tabs: Nursing Considerations Answer: •Keep pills in
original bottle, away from light/heat
,•Tablets should "sting" when placed under tongue
•Take 3 tablets q5min. If no relief, call 911
•Taking 1 tablet prior to strenuous activity is recommended
◉ Atorvastatin (Lipitor): Class, Use, and Adverse Effects Answer:
•Functional Class: Antilipidemic
•Therapeutic Use: Decreases cholesterol and triglycerides
•Side Effects: abdominal cramps, constipation/diarrhea, heartburn
•Adverse Effects: liver dysfunction, pancreatitis, rhabdomyolysis
◉ Atorvastatin (Lipitor): Nursing Considerations Answer: •Nursing
Considerations
•Confirm liver enzymes prior to starting medication
•Medication should be taken at nighttime
•Lifestyle changes are still required; not a free pass
•Grapefruit is not a friend
◉ Ezetimibe (Zetia): Class, Use, and Adverse Effects Answer:
•Functional Class: Antilipemic; Cholesterol absorption inhibitor
•Therapeutic Use: Reduces cholesterol
•Side Effects: myalgias, fatigue, dizziness
•Adverse Effects: Hepatotoxic (contraindicated in liver disease);
rhabdomyolis, angioedema
, ◉ Ezetimibe (Zetia): Nursing Considerations Answer: •Nursing
Considerations:
•Check Liver function prior to first administration
•Compliance is required
•Risk factors need to also be decreased; not a free pass
•Not to be used in pregnancy/breastfeeding
•Notify provider immediately with muscle weakness/pain.
◉ Alteplase Class, Uses, and Adverse Effects Answer: •Functional
Class: Thrombolytic enzyme
•Therapeutic Use: Lysis of obstructing thrombi associated with
acute MI, PE, CVA
•Side Effects: nothing common
•Adverse Effects: Bleeding
◉ Alteplase Nursing Considerations Answer: •Nursing
Considerations:
•Very short ½ life: approximately 5 minutes
•Must be given <4.5 hrs for stroke; <6 hours for MI
•Bleeding precautions for 24 hours
EXAM COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW GUIDE 2026
◉ Nitroglycerin IV, Uses, Class, and Adverse effects Answer:
•Functional Class: Antianginal, Coronary Vasodilator
•Therapeutic Use: Chronic Stable Angina, Heart Failure, acute MI
•Side Effects: headache flushing, dizziness, postural hypotension
•Adverse Effects: Vascular collapse
◉ Nitroglycerin IV Nursing Considerations Answer: •Nursing
Considerations:
•Careful observation of vital signs; can lower BP quickly.
•Titrate to relieve chest pain
◉ Nitroglycerin Tabs, Class, Use, and Adverse Effects Answer:
•Functional Class: Antianginal; Cardiovascular Vasodilator
•Therapeutic Use: Prevent/treat angina
•Side Effects: headache, flushing, hypotension
•Adverse Effects: vascular collapse, syncope
◉ Nitroglycerin Tabs: Nursing Considerations Answer: •Keep pills in
original bottle, away from light/heat
,•Tablets should "sting" when placed under tongue
•Take 3 tablets q5min. If no relief, call 911
•Taking 1 tablet prior to strenuous activity is recommended
◉ Atorvastatin (Lipitor): Class, Use, and Adverse Effects Answer:
•Functional Class: Antilipidemic
•Therapeutic Use: Decreases cholesterol and triglycerides
•Side Effects: abdominal cramps, constipation/diarrhea, heartburn
•Adverse Effects: liver dysfunction, pancreatitis, rhabdomyolysis
◉ Atorvastatin (Lipitor): Nursing Considerations Answer: •Nursing
Considerations
•Confirm liver enzymes prior to starting medication
•Medication should be taken at nighttime
•Lifestyle changes are still required; not a free pass
•Grapefruit is not a friend
◉ Ezetimibe (Zetia): Class, Use, and Adverse Effects Answer:
•Functional Class: Antilipemic; Cholesterol absorption inhibitor
•Therapeutic Use: Reduces cholesterol
•Side Effects: myalgias, fatigue, dizziness
•Adverse Effects: Hepatotoxic (contraindicated in liver disease);
rhabdomyolis, angioedema
, ◉ Ezetimibe (Zetia): Nursing Considerations Answer: •Nursing
Considerations:
•Check Liver function prior to first administration
•Compliance is required
•Risk factors need to also be decreased; not a free pass
•Not to be used in pregnancy/breastfeeding
•Notify provider immediately with muscle weakness/pain.
◉ Alteplase Class, Uses, and Adverse Effects Answer: •Functional
Class: Thrombolytic enzyme
•Therapeutic Use: Lysis of obstructing thrombi associated with
acute MI, PE, CVA
•Side Effects: nothing common
•Adverse Effects: Bleeding
◉ Alteplase Nursing Considerations Answer: •Nursing
Considerations:
•Very short ½ life: approximately 5 minutes
•Must be given <4.5 hrs for stroke; <6 hours for MI
•Bleeding precautions for 24 hours
