140 MUST KNOW NCLEX MEDS
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
CORRECT ANSWERS 100% PASS
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
class: Antiarrhythmic class III, Potassium channel blocker
Indication: ventricular arrhythmias, SVT, ACLS protocol for v-fib and vTACH
Action: prolongs action potential, inhibits adrenergic stimulation, slows rate,
decreases peripheral vascular resistance causing vasodilation
Nursing Considerations:
- may lead to ARDS, pulmonary toxicity, CHF, bradycardia, hypotension
- increases risk for QT prolongation
- increases digoxin levels
- increases activity of warfarin
- monitor EKG
- assess for signs and symptoms of ARDS
- monitor liver function test
,- check dosage with another RN
- avoid drinking grapefruit juice
Alteplase (t-PA)
class: thrombolytics
Indication: MI, acute ischemic stroke, occluded central lines
Action: converts plasminogen to plasmin which degrades the fibrin found
Nursing Considerations:
- contraindicated in active bleeding
-monitor for anaphylaxis
- use caution with uncontrolled hypertension
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
class: lipid-lowering agent
Indication: management of high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), primary
prevention of cardiovascular disease
,Action: lowers total cholesterol as well as LDL while slightly increasing HDL.
Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase which plays a role in the liver in cholesterol
formation
Nursing Considerations
- contraindicated in active liver disease
- may cause rhabdomyolysis
- monitor serum cholesterol
- monitor liver function tests, renal function
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
class: antipyretic, non-opioid analgesic
Indication: pain, fever
Action: inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins which play a role in transmission of
pain signals and fever response
Nursing Considerations:
, - do not exceed 4g of acetaminophen per day
- overdose will lead to hepatotoxicity
- *Acetadote*is the antidote for overdose
- may increase risk for bleed with warfarin therapy
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
class: antiviral, purine analogues
Indication:genital herpes, herpes zoster, chicken pox
Action: interferes with viral DNA synthesis
Nursing Considerations:
- may cause seizures, renal failure, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, thrombotic
thrombocytopenic purpura syndrome, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea
- monitor renal function
- assess lesions
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
CORRECT ANSWERS 100% PASS
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
class: Antiarrhythmic class III, Potassium channel blocker
Indication: ventricular arrhythmias, SVT, ACLS protocol for v-fib and vTACH
Action: prolongs action potential, inhibits adrenergic stimulation, slows rate,
decreases peripheral vascular resistance causing vasodilation
Nursing Considerations:
- may lead to ARDS, pulmonary toxicity, CHF, bradycardia, hypotension
- increases risk for QT prolongation
- increases digoxin levels
- increases activity of warfarin
- monitor EKG
- assess for signs and symptoms of ARDS
- monitor liver function test
,- check dosage with another RN
- avoid drinking grapefruit juice
Alteplase (t-PA)
class: thrombolytics
Indication: MI, acute ischemic stroke, occluded central lines
Action: converts plasminogen to plasmin which degrades the fibrin found
Nursing Considerations:
- contraindicated in active bleeding
-monitor for anaphylaxis
- use caution with uncontrolled hypertension
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
class: lipid-lowering agent
Indication: management of high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), primary
prevention of cardiovascular disease
,Action: lowers total cholesterol as well as LDL while slightly increasing HDL.
Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase which plays a role in the liver in cholesterol
formation
Nursing Considerations
- contraindicated in active liver disease
- may cause rhabdomyolysis
- monitor serum cholesterol
- monitor liver function tests, renal function
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
class: antipyretic, non-opioid analgesic
Indication: pain, fever
Action: inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins which play a role in transmission of
pain signals and fever response
Nursing Considerations:
, - do not exceed 4g of acetaminophen per day
- overdose will lead to hepatotoxicity
- *Acetadote*is the antidote for overdose
- may increase risk for bleed with warfarin therapy
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
class: antiviral, purine analogues
Indication:genital herpes, herpes zoster, chicken pox
Action: interferes with viral DNA synthesis
Nursing Considerations:
- may cause seizures, renal failure, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, thrombotic
thrombocytopenic purpura syndrome, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea
- monitor renal function
- assess lesions
