Meds to know for NCLEX

Published

I used so many review sheets from allnurses people, so I feel obligated to share one of mine on medications. I passed the nclex the first time just two weeks ago. I basically only knew what I have written here on meds with just a few extras. Good luck to all who are taking the nclex, don't let people psych you out, it's not too bad :D

Sympathetic Nervous System

"Fight or Flight"

Adrenergic effect

Secretes Epinephrine

Effects:

Vasoconstriction

Increase HR, BP

Increase blood flow to muscles

Lungs dilate

Constipation

Pupils dilate

Dry mouth

Urinary retention

Increase blood glucose

Parasympathetic Nervous System

"Rest and Digest"

Cholinergic effect

Secretes Acetylcholine

Effects:

Vasodilation

Decrease HR, BP

Decrease blood flow to muscles

Lung Constriction

Stimulate digestion

Constrict pupils

Increase salivation

Stimulate urination

* Many medications cause desired actions as well as side effects in direct correlation with how the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system functions.

Example: nasal decongestants cause vasoconstriction as a desired effect, thus decreasing congestion. By simply knowing that this medication causes vasoconstriction, you can assume other actions and side effects, just apply what you now know about the sympathetic ns. If something causes vasoconstriction it will also cause lung dilation, increase hr, urinary retention, etc. And the common s/e of nasal decongestants are urinary retention, increase HR BP, and pupil dilation.

COMMON MED. "ENDINGS" WITH EXAMPLES

ACE Inhibitor="pril"=lisinopril

ARB="sartan"=losartan

Calcium channel blockers="dipine"=almlodopine Also, cardizem and verapamil

Beta blocker="olol"=BB1(metoprolol) BB2(propanolol)

Alpha adrenergic blocker="zosin"=doxazosin. Also, Tamsulosin(Flomax)

Cholesterol lowering med.="statin"=simvostatin

Bronchiodilator="erol"=albuterol

Xanathines="phylline"=theophylline

Anti cholinergic bronchio dilator= "tropium"=tiotropium(spiriva)

Glucocorticoid="sone"=cortisone

Leukotrine blocker=lukast=Montelukast(singulair)

Antihistamine="ine"=cetrizine(zyrtec)

Nasal decongestant="zoline"=oxymetazoline(afrin)

loop diuretic="ide"=bumetanide(bumex)

Thiazine diuretic="thiazide"=hydrochlorothiazide

5-alpha reductase inhibitor="asteride"=finasteride(proscar)

Benzo.="zepine" and "pam"= lorazapam

Antifungal="azole"=fluconazole(diflucan)

Antiviral="clovir"=acyclovir

Migraine med.="triptan"=almotriptan

SSRI= "ine" and "pram"=fluoxetine(prozac)

Proton pump inhibitor="prazole"=omeprazole(prilosec)

Antidysrhythmics that increase heart rate (IDEAL)

1. Isuprel

2. Dopamine

3. Epinephrine

4. Atropine

5. Levophed

Antidysrhythmics that decrease heart rate

1. Amiodorone

2. Lidocaine

3. Cardizem

4. Nitrates

5. Isosorbide

6. Adenosine

Toxicity

Dilantin

10-20 therapeutic range

slurred speech, rash, gingival hyperplasia

Digoxin

0.5-1.1 therapeutic range

halo, diplopia

Lithium

>2 toxicity

polyuria, polydipsia, decrease hr, hyponatremia

Phenobarbital

>50 toxicity

Ataxia, slurred speech.

COMMON MED. ANTIDOTES

Digoxin=Digibind

Coumadin=vitamin K

Benzo./Barbit.=fluzaemil(romazicon)

Mg Sulfate=calcium gluconate

heparin=protamine sulfate

tylenol=mucomyst

opiate= narcan

potassium=insulin, kayexalate, or dialysis

TNKase=amnioproic acid

beta blocker=glucoagon

dopamine=phentolamine

most cholinergic meds.=atropine

Randoms

-Tuberculosis drugs: Rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinimide, ethambutol, cycloserine, streptomycin

TB drugs are hepatotoxic and neurotoxic.

Rifampin turns bodily fluids orange

-Steroids cause: hyperglycemia, immunosupression, adrenal insufficiency, and osteoporosis.

-Potassium sparing diuretics: Spiralactone(aldactone), triamterene(dyrenium), amiloride(midamor).

-Osmotic diuretic = mannitol, given to decrease intracrannial pressure

-Urinary tract infection analgesic, phenazopyridine(pyridium) turns your urine orange

-5 alpha reductase inhibitors convert testostorone to androgen to decrease benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms.

Women (especially pregnant) and children should not touch this med.

-Alpha Adrenergic Blockers

Decrease BP

Commonly used in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

-Seizure meds.= phentoin(dilantin), phenobarbital, diazepam(valium)

-Fungal medications are hepatotoxic,

-All antidepressants except for MAOI block reuptake of serotonin.

-Foods high in tyramine are fermented and aged.

-MAOI= phenelzine(nardil), tranylcypromine(paranate), isocarboxazide(marplan)

-Positive inotropes = increase heart contractility= Digoxin

-Negative inotropes= decrease heart contractility= Calcium channel blockers

-Nitrates are used for angina

-Beta blocker

Beta 1="1 heart" = metoprolol and atenolol

Beta 2= "2 lungs" = propanolol and carvedilol (Coreg)

*beta2 contraindicated in asthma, copd, etc. pt. due to risk for bronchoconstriction.Beta 1 drugs should be prescribed.

BB suppresses clinical indicators of hypoglycemia

-Mydriotic eyedrops.

dilates pupil, example atropine

-Miotic eyedrops.

given for glaucoma, to decrease pressure by constricting the pupil

-Parkinsons meds., increase dopamine and decrease acetylcholine. Examples: levadopa and Requip.Levadopa may cause harmless side effect, darkening of saliva and urine.

-Xanathines, inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators during anaphylaxis

+ Add a Comment