Top 150 Must-Know Nursing Drugs with Responsibilities – Exam Revision & NCLEX Focus 2026 (Exam-focused drugs frequently asked in nursing viva, MCQs & practicals) | Covers all major subjects (Pharma, Med-Surg, OBG, Emergency)|100% GUARANTEED PASS

Top 150 Important Drugs with Nursing Responsibilities (Exam Focus)

Exam-focused drugs frequently asked in nursing viva, MCQs & practicals

💊 1. Paracetamol

 Class: Analgesic, Antipyretic

 Uses: Fever, mild pain

 Side Effects: Liver toxicity (high doses)

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Check total daily dose (<4g/day)

o Monitor liver function in long-term use



💊 2. Ibuprofen

 Class: NSAID

 Uses: Pain, inflammation

 Side Effects: Gastric irritation, bleeding

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Give after food

o Monitor for GI bleeding



💊 3. Aspirin

 Class: NSAID, Antiplatelet

 Uses: Pain, MI prevention

 Side Effects: Bleeding, gastric ulcer

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Avoid in children (risk of Reye’s syndrome)

o Monitor bleeding

,💊 4. Morphine

 Class: Opioid analgesic

 Uses: Severe pain

 Side Effects: Respiratory depression

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Monitor RR (<12 = hold)

o Keep antidote (naloxone) ready



💊 5. Tramadol

 Class: Opioid analgesic

 Uses: Moderate pain

 Side Effects: Dizziness, seizures

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Monitor CNS effects

o Avoid with antidepressants



💊 6. Amoxicillin

 Class: Penicillin antibiotic

 Uses: Bacterial infections

 Side Effects: Allergy, diarrhea

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Check allergy history

o Complete full course



💊 7. Ceftriaxone

 Class: Cephalosporin

,  Uses: Severe infections

 Side Effects: Diarrhea

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Monitor infection signs

o Avoid calcium IV simultaneously



💊 8. Azithromycin

 Class: Macrolide antibiotic

 Uses: Respiratory infections

 Side Effects: QT prolongation

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Monitor ECG in cardiac patients



💊 9. Metronidazole

 Class: Antiprotozoal

 Uses: Anaerobic infections

 Side Effects: Metallic taste

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Avoid alcohol (disulfiram reaction)



💊 10. Ciprofloxacin

 Class: Fluoroquinolone

 Uses: UTI, infections

 Side Effects: Tendon rupture

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Avoid in children/pregnancy

, o Monitor joint pain



💊 11. Insulin

 Class: Hormone

 Uses: Diabetes

 Side Effects: Hypoglycemia

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Monitor blood glucose

o Rotate injection sites



💊 12. Metformin

 Class: Biguanide

 Uses: Type 2 DM

 Side Effects: Lactic acidosis

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Monitor kidney function

o Hold before surgery



💊 13. Glibenclamide

 Class: Sulfonylurea

 Uses: Type 2 DM

 Side Effects: Hypoglycemia

 Nursing Responsibilities:

o Monitor glucose levels



💊 14. Atorvastatin