Basic Medication Knowledge For Nurses

Front 1

Demerol
(Meperidine)

Back 1

Opioid Agonists

Hint 1

PO, IM, Subcutaneous, 50mg, q 3-4 hrs

Seizures, Confusion, Sedation, Constipation, Nausea, Vomiting

Front 2

Norco
(Hydrocodone)

Back 2

Opioid Agonist/Non-Opioid Analgesic Combo

Hint 2

PO, 2.5-10mg, q 3-6 hrs

Confusion, Dizziness, Sedation, Dyspepsia, Hypotension

Front 3

Percocet
(Oxycodone/Acetaminophen)

Back 3

Opioid Agonists

Hint 3

PO, 5-10mg, q 3-4 hrs, Controlled Release q 12 hrs

Confusion, Sedation, Resp. Depression, Constipation

Front 4

Lovenox
(Enoxaparin)

Back 4

Antithrombotics

Hint 4

Subcutaneous, 30mg, q 12-24 hrs, Post-Op

Anemia, Dizziness, Headache, Nausea, Constipation

Front 5

Coumadin
(Warfarin)

Back 5

Coumarins

Hint 5

PO, IV 2-5mg/day, 2-4 days, adjust results by INR

Cramps, Nausea, Dermal Necrosis

Front 6

Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps
(Digoxin)

Back 6

Digitalis Glycosides

Management of Pain

Hint 6

IV Digitalizing Dose - 0.5-1mg, given 50% of initial, 0.25 of initial dose in each subsequent 6-12

Fatigue, Bradycardia, Anorexia, Nausea, Vomiting

Front 7

Levaquin
(Levofloxacin)

Back 7

Fluoroquinolones

Management of Pain

Hint 7

PO, IV, 250-750mg q 24hrs

Seizures, Dizziness, Headache, Insomnia, Arrhythmias, Heputotoxicity, Tendon Weakness

Front 8

Cipro, Proquin
(Ciproflaxacin)

Back 8

Fluoroquinolones

Treatment of Bacterial Infections

Hint 8

PO - 500-700mg q 12 hr, IV - 400mg q 12hrs

Seizures, Headaches, Insomnia, Tendon Weakness

Front 9

Zosyn
(Piperacillin/Tazobactam)

Back 9

Extended Spectrum Penicillins

Treatment of Bacterial Infections

Hint 9

IV, 3.375g q 6hrs

Diarrhea, Rashes up in CF, Pain, Phlebitis

Front 10

Vancocin
(Vancomycin)

Back 10

Anti-Infectives

Treatment of Potential Life-Threatening

Hint 10

IV - 500mg, q 6hrs, OR 1g, q 12hrs, IT - 20mg/day

Nephrotoxicity, Phlebitis, Hypotension, Leukopenia, Rashes

Front 11

Garamycin
(Gentamicin)

Back 11

Aminoglycosides

Treatment of Potential Life-Threatening

Hint 11

IM, IV, 1-2mg/kg, q 8hrs

Axtaxia, Vertigo, Ototoxicity, Nephrotoxicity

Front 12

Rocephin
(Ceftriaxone)

Back 12

3rd Generation Cephalosporins

Treatment of Potential Life-Threatening

Hint 12

IM, IV, 1-2g, q 12-24hrs

Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Rashes, Pain, Phlebitis

Front 13

Bactrim
(Trimethophrim/Sulfamethoxazole)

Back 13

Folate Antagonists
Sulfonamides

Treatment of Potential Life-Threatening

Hint 13

PO, IV, 6-12mg TMP/kg/day divided by q 12 hrs, VTI - PO, 1 dbl strength 160mg TMP, 800 mg SMX q 12hrs

Nausea, Vomiting, Rashes, Phlebitis

Front 14

Humulin R
(Insulin Regular)

Back 14

Pancreatics

Short Acting

Hint 14

Depends on Blood Glucose Levels, IV - 0.1u/kg/hr as continuous infusion

Enthema, Swelling

Front 15

NPH
(Insulin)

Back 15

Pancreatics

Hint 15

Depends on Blood Glucose/Response/etc., Subcut. - 0.5-1 unit/kg/day, subq 2-20 units

Hypoglycemia, Allergy - Anaphylaxis

Front 16

Exelon
(Rivastigmine)

Back 16

Cholinergics
(Cholinesterase Inhibitors)

Hint 16

PO - 1.5mg 2x/day initially, may increase, Transdermal - 4.6mg/24hrs

Weakness, Anorexia, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Weight Loss

Front 17

ASA (Aspirin)
(Salicylates)

Back 17

Salicylates

Hint 17

PO rect - 325-1000mg, q 4-6hrs; Extended Release - 650mg, q 8hrs

GI Bleeding, Dyspepsia, Nausea, Exfoliative Dermatitis

Front 18

Tylenol
(Acetaminophen)

Back 18

Antipyretic
Non-Narcotic Analgesic

Hint 18

PO 325-650mg, q 4-6hrs

Hepatic Failure, Hepatotoxicity, Renal Failure

Front 19

Lasix
(Furosemide)

Back 19

Loop Diuretics

Hint 19

PO, 20-80mg, q 6-8hrs

Blurred Vision, Headache, Dehydration, Hypokalemia, Hyponatremia

Front 20

Zocor
(Simvaslatin)

Back 20

HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitors

Hint 20

PO, 10mg, 2x/day in HS, do not exceed 20mg/day

Abdominal Pain, Constipation, Heartburn, Rashes, LFT Liver, Rhabdomyolysis