Pharmacology Exam 3 Study Guide
Cardiovascular
A. Digoxin
a. How does this medication work? Force of contraction in ventricles
b. What is it used for? Manage Cardiac dysrhythmias . Slows and strengthens the heart.
c. How do you know if the medication is working? What would you expect to see change in
the patient? Decreased heart rate –Normal heart rate and sound closer to base line
d. What category of medications does Digoxin belong in? antiarrhythmia
e. What priorities are there prior to administering medication? Apical pulse (60 seconds),
monitor digoxin level (symptoms of toxicity) Signs/symptoms
f. What patient teaching needs to be included? Check pulse, sign/symptom toxicity, follow
up with provider to check labs (bradycardia) >2 ng/ml
g. When should this medication be held? Pulse <60. Signs of toxicity. Swallowing difficulty.
h. What are signs of Digoxin Toxicity? Visual illusions, confusion, delirium, PVC’s, Cardiac
Dysrhythmias, fast heart beat, irregular pulse, loss of appetite, n/v,diarrhea
ANTIDOTE = digoxin immune Fab (Digibind)
**check apical pulse for a full minute before administering medication
-hold for heart rate below 60 bpm
-does not affect blood pressure
-encourage patient to eat high potassium diet
***monitor for S/S of digoxin toxicity:
N/V vision changes(yellow/ green halo vision, bradycardia, dysrhythmias, confusion
>>educate patients to have digoxin levels checked (toxic level= >2ng/ml)
, B. Diuretics
a. What are the various reasons these medications are used? Hypertension, CHF, edema
b. What lab values help to determine the need for these medications (think heart failure)?
BNP <100 is good lab value.
c. Thiazide diuretics
i. Example:
1. HCTZ
ii. What are the indications for use? Edema, CHF, hypertension
iii. What needs to be monitored prior to administration of medication? Daily weight
iv. What labs do we monitor to determine if the patient is in renal failure? Creatin,
GFR
v. What race responds well to this category of medication? African American
vi. For the elderly, what precautions need to be taken? Fall risk, renal function,
dehydration
d. Loop Diuretics
i. When is the best time to take these medications? Morning
Cardiovascular
A. Digoxin
a. How does this medication work? Force of contraction in ventricles
b. What is it used for? Manage Cardiac dysrhythmias . Slows and strengthens the heart.
c. How do you know if the medication is working? What would you expect to see change in
the patient? Decreased heart rate –Normal heart rate and sound closer to base line
d. What category of medications does Digoxin belong in? antiarrhythmia
e. What priorities are there prior to administering medication? Apical pulse (60 seconds),
monitor digoxin level (symptoms of toxicity) Signs/symptoms
f. What patient teaching needs to be included? Check pulse, sign/symptom toxicity, follow
up with provider to check labs (bradycardia) >2 ng/ml
g. When should this medication be held? Pulse <60. Signs of toxicity. Swallowing difficulty.
h. What are signs of Digoxin Toxicity? Visual illusions, confusion, delirium, PVC’s, Cardiac
Dysrhythmias, fast heart beat, irregular pulse, loss of appetite, n/v,diarrhea
ANTIDOTE = digoxin immune Fab (Digibind)
**check apical pulse for a full minute before administering medication
-hold for heart rate below 60 bpm
-does not affect blood pressure
-encourage patient to eat high potassium diet
***monitor for S/S of digoxin toxicity:
N/V vision changes(yellow/ green halo vision, bradycardia, dysrhythmias, confusion
>>educate patients to have digoxin levels checked (toxic level= >2ng/ml)
, B. Diuretics
a. What are the various reasons these medications are used? Hypertension, CHF, edema
b. What lab values help to determine the need for these medications (think heart failure)?
BNP <100 is good lab value.
c. Thiazide diuretics
i. Example:
1. HCTZ
ii. What are the indications for use? Edema, CHF, hypertension
iii. What needs to be monitored prior to administration of medication? Daily weight
iv. What labs do we monitor to determine if the patient is in renal failure? Creatin,
GFR
v. What race responds well to this category of medication? African American
vi. For the elderly, what precautions need to be taken? Fall risk, renal function,
dehydration
d. Loop Diuretics
i. When is the best time to take these medications? Morning
