Nclex - Pharmacology Strategies

Front 1

Intended Effect

Back 1

- the desired and expected effect of a medication
(eg. lowering blood pressure)

Front 2

Side Effect

Back 2

- a physiological effect of a medication that is unrelated to the intended medication effects
(eg. constipation)
*is not usually life threatening
* there are measures that will either eliminate the side effect or alleviate the discomfort associated with it
(eg. drink fluids, high fiber diet = prevent constipation)

Front 3

Adverse Effect

Back 3

- more severe than a side effect
- always an undesirable effect
(eg. hypersensitivity, SEVERE diarrhea - noting the word severe as adverse)
- mild to severe effects (anaphylaxis)
*ALWAYS reported to HCP (Health Care Provider)

Front 4

Toxic Effect

Back 4

- AKA toxicity
- medication level in the body exceeds the therapeutic level
- overdose or medication accumulation
*ALWAYS reported to HCP
- most often identified by monitoring the blood level for the therapeutic range of the medication
(eg. DIGOXIN (0.5 - 2 ng/mL))

**WATCH ESPECIALLY FOR**
BRONCHODIALATORS
- LINE ending
- 10 - 20 micro g/mL
- EARLY TOXICITY: restlessness, tachycardia

LITHIUM (Lithobid)
- used to treat bipolar disorder (mood stabilizer)
- 0.5 - 1.3 mEq/L
- EARLY TOXICITY: lethargy, hand tremors, and muscle weakness, followed by GI disturbances

PHENYTOIN (Dilantin)
- anti-seizure medication
- 10 - 20 micro g/mL
- EARLY TOXICITY: muscular in-coordination, nystagmus (dancing eyes), and diplopia (double vision)

Front 5

ACE Inhibitors

Back 5

- PRIL ending
- used to treat hypertension, heart failure

Front 6

Antilipemic Medications

Back 6

- STATIN ending
- lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Front 7

Antiviral Medications

Back 7

- VIR in name
- treat viral infections including HIV

Front 8

Benzodiazepines

Back 8

- PAM ending
- anxiety-reducing, sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxing and anti-convulsant effects

Front 9

Beta-Blockers

Back 9

- LOL ending
- used to treat hypertension, angina, dysrhythmias

Front 10

Calcium Channel Blockers

Back 10

- PINE ending
SOME EXCEPTIONS: Diltiazem, Cardizem, Verapamil
- used to treat hypertension, angina, dysrhythmias

Front 11

Glucocorticoids and Corticosteroids

Back 11

- SONE ending
- alter the normal immune response and suppress inflammation
- used as replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency, and to treat various other disorders

Front 12

Histamine H2-Receptor Antagonists

Back 12

- DINE ending
- suppress the secretion of gastric acid and are used to alleviate the symptoms of heartburn, prevent ulcers and to treat GERD

Front 13

Nitrates

Back 13

- NITR in name (eg. Nitroglycerin)
- produce vasodilation and are used to treat angina

Front 14

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Back 14

- ZOLE ending
- suppress gastric acid secretion, and are used to treat ulcer disease and erosive esophagitis

Front 15

Sulfonamides

Back 15

- SULF in name
- suppress bacterial growth, and are used to treat some infections

Front 16

Thiazide Diuretics

Back 16

- ZIDE ending
- used to treat hypertension and peripheral edema

Front 17

Thrombolytic Medications

Back 17

- ASE ending
- used to dissolve clots

Front 18

Thyroid Hormones

Back 18

- THY in name
- used as replacement therapy and are used to treat hypothyroidism

Front 19

Bronchodialators

Back 19

- LINE ending
- used to treat respiratory disorders that cause bronchoconstriction, such as asthma, bronchospasm, COPD, and emphysema

Front 20

General Guidelines

Back 20

1.) Medication absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are affected by age and physiological processes. The older client, neonate and infant are at greater risk for toxicity than an adult.

2.) Many medications are contraindicated in pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

3.) Antacids are not usually administered with medication because the antacid will affect the absorption of the medication. Additionally, grapefruit juice is not usually administered with medication because it contains a substance that will interact with the absorption of the medication.

4.) Enteric coated and sustained release tablets should not be crushed. Also, capsules should not be opened.

5.) Nursing interventions always include monitoring for intended effects, side effects, adverse effects or toxic effects of the medication (*Look out for assessment actions*).

6.) Nursing interventions always include client education (*How to administer medications, be aware of the side effects of the medications, and needs to know how to check his/her own temperature, pulse and BP).

7.) The nurse or client should never adjust or change a medication dose, abruptly stop taking a medication, or discontinue a medication. The nurse may WITHHOLD a medication if he/she suspects that the client is experiencing an adverse or toxic effect of a medication, but the nurse NEVER discontinues a medication.

8.) The client needs to avoid taking any over-the-counter medications, or any other medications such as herbal preparations, unless they are approved for use by the HCP.

9.) The client needs to avoid consuming alcohol and avoid smoking (*unless the HCP has given permission for either*).

10.) The client should wear a medic alert bracelet if he/she is taking medications such as, but not limited to, anticoagulants, oral hypoglycemics or insulin, certain cardiac medications, corticosteroids and glucocorticoids, antimyasthenic medications (counteracting or relieving muscular weakness), anticonvolsunts, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (treatment of depression).