The Most Important Must Know Drugs For NCLEX

[ogold]

ANALGESICS:

Aspirin do not give together with other anticoagulants. Stop taking Aspirin some days before surgery. Do not give to children with viral infection(Reye syndrome)

NSAID's

e.g. Ibuprofen--Take with food; contraindicated for people with GI ulcers

Morphine: A respiratory depressant. It should be withheld if the respirations are below 10

ANTI-CONVULSANTS

Dilantin: Causes gum hyperplasia. Advice client to visit dentist frequently

ANTIINFLAMMATORY / STEROIDS

Predisone: Causes Cushing like symptoms. Common side effects are immunosupression(monitor client for infection), hyperglycemia

ANTI-COAGULANTS

Heparin: Monitor pt's lab work-PTT. Antidote is protamine sulfate

Coumadin: Monitor pt's lab work--PT. Antidote is Vitamin K

ANTI-PARKINSONIAN

Cogentin: Used to treat EPS

Sinemet: Drug is effective when tremors are not observed

RESPIRATORY

Theophylline/Aminophylline: Side effects--Tachycardia

CARDIOVASCULAR

Digoxin (Lanoxin): Signs of toxicity: Pt will complaint of visual change in colors. They would also complain of loss of appetite.

ANTIHYPERTENSIVE (PRE-ECLAMPSIA)

Magnesium Sulfate: Monitor for deep tendon reflex and respiratory depression

DIURETICS

Hydrochlothiazide: Monitor potassium levels

Lasix: Monitor potassium levels

Aldactone: Potassium sparing

PSYCHOTROPICS

Lithium Carbonate: Know therapeutic range (0.8 to 1.2mEq). Also know symptoms of toxicity. Adequate fluid and salt intake is important.

MAOI inhibitors: Have dangerous food-drug interactions. Food with Tyramine should be avoided. For example: aged cheese, wine etc.

Disulfiram (Antabuse): Used for alcohol aversion therapy. Clients started on Disulfiram must avoid any form of alcohol or they would develop a severe reaction. Teach pt to avoid some over-the-counter cough preparations, mouthwash etc.

MATERNITY

Oxytocin: Assess uterus frequently for tetanic contraction.

ANTIDOTES

Narcan: Reverses the effects of narcotics

Calcium Gluconate: Antidote for magnesium sulfate

Vitamin K: Antidote for Coumadin

Questions have been asked on NCLEX recently about the following drugs:

Tegretol: side effects.

Atropine: What checks do you do before giving this drug (BP.)

Epogen: Used in treating anemia because it increases RBC production.

Acyclovir: anti-viral medication used in treating shingles.

Notes:

1. When a client is on antibiotics, teach the client to continue taking the medication even though they feel better
2. Monitor client taking antibiotics such as Vancomycin for ototoxicity. Pt will complain of tinnitus, room spinning (vertigo) and nausea.
3. Clients taking vasodilators e.g. Verapramil would complain of headache.

Helpful video on Drug Suffixes

[fayeface, BSN, RN]

you are AWESOME.........thanks for sharing

[jot22]

thank you for sharing

:loveya:

[Yownyown, BSN, RN]

thanks! GODBLESS!

[Pneumothorax, BSN, RN]

Very helpful thank you!

[Assess&Safety1st, BSN, RN]

Thank you .....

[Assess&Safety1st, BSN, RN]

Ogold, what does EPS stand for under the anti-Parkinsonian?

[kwhitedz]

thank you so much very very helpful

[justinpark09, MSN, RN]

very niceeee. Thanks

[jjrodriguez, BSN, RN]

tachycardia33 said:

Ogold, what does EPS stand for under the anti-Parkinsonian?

Extrapyramidal Symptoms - tardive dyskinesia, akinesia, acute dystonia and pseudoparkinsonism.

[CharcoalPepper]

Thanks for posting a nice summary reference for everyone :)

[Assess&Safety1st, BSN, RN]

Thank you :)

[IcallTheShots, ASN, RN]

So nervous... taking my NCLEX in the next 5 days... and I am going crazy.... this posts help. I feel like strangers help more than friends and family... all they say is "you will do fine just don't stress yourself out" I hate hearing that.

Thanks to all who actually post helpful information!