NURS 3100 Drugs List Summary

Pharm List of Exam Drugs:

Upper Respiratory Drugs
Antihistamines:
 1st generation antihistamines:
o Diphenhydramine
Indication/Use Action Side Effect Nursing
Considerations/
Contraindications
Treat acute and Competes with Drowsy, dry mouth,  Avoid
allergic rhinitis, histamine 4 receptors dizzy, blurred vision, operating
prevent/treat sites- prevents wheezing, motor
anaphylaxis, motion histamine response photosensitivity, UR, vehicles if
sickness Reduces constipation drowsiness
nasopharyngeal occurs
secretions, itching,  Avoid alcohol
sneezing and other
CNS
depressants
 Use sugarless
candy or gum,
as well as ice
chips for
temporary
relief of
mouth
dryness
 Assess
congestion,
lung sounds,
and
characteristics
of secretions
 CONTRA:
Severe liver
disease,
narrow-angle
glaucoma, UR

 2nd Generation antihistamines= NON-sedating antihistamines (Less sedation and
anticholinergic effects)
o Cetirizine
o Fexofenadine
o Loratadine

,Nasal Decongestants:
 Oxymetazoline
 Naphazoline
 Pseudoephedrine
Indication/Use Action Side Effect Nursing
Considerations/
Contraindications
Nasal congestion Stimulate alpha Nervous, jittery,  Frequent use=
adrenergic receptors: restless, HTN tolerance and
Produces nasal rebound
vasoconstriction, congestion,
shrinks mucous DO NOT
membranes, reduce USE
secretions LONGER
THAN 5
DAYS!!
 Assess
congestion,
lung sounds,
and
characteristics
of secretion




Intranasal Glucocorticoids:
 Fluticasone
 Triamcinolone

Indication/Use Action Side Effect Nursing
Considerations/
Contraindications
Allergic Rhinitis Anti- HA, fatigue, restless,  Take as
inflammatory/immun insomnia, rebound directed
e modifier congestion,  Do not
anticholinergic overuse-
symptoms, rebound
hypersensitivity congestion
reaction  Use
Bronchodilato
r first!!!


Expectorants:
 Guaifenesin

,Indication/Use Action Side Effect Nursing
Considerations/
Contraindications
Allergy, cold, cough Loosen bronchial Drowsiness, N,V,D,  Assess lung
treatment secretion Hypersensitivity sounds n
reaction secretions
(amount/color
)


Antitussives:
 Guaifenesin
 Codeine
 Benzonatate

Indication/Use Action Side Effect Nursing
Considerations/
Contraindications
Manage mild to Bind to opiate Sedation,  Vitals (bp, p,
moderate pain, severe receptors, suppress hypotension, rr)
cold/cough cough reflex bradycardia,  Assess bowel
NON- respiratory function
PRODUCTIVE, depression, N, V, D  Assess
IRRITATING cough/lung
COUGH sounds


Lower Respiratory Drugs
“BAM” Team-Bronchodilators:
 Beta 2 Agonist:
o Isoproterenol
o Metaproterenol
o Albuterol- “rescue inhaler”
Indication/Use Action Side Effect Nursing
Considerations/
Contraindications
Treat bronchospasm Binds to beta 2 Nervous, tremors,  Monitor pt for
in chronic asthma or receptors, relax restless, flushing, worsening
COPD smooth muscle of HA, N, V, respiratory
bronchi tachycardia, symptoms
palpitations, HTN,  Monitor HR
fluid/electrolyte and BP
imbalances

,  Anticholinergic:
o Ipratropium

Indication/Use Action Side Effect Nursing
Considerations/
Contraindications
Maintenance of Dilates bronchioles Dizzy, HA, nervous  Caution:
COPD Narrow-angle
glaucoma
 Teach pt how
to use inhaler
 **RINSE
mouth after
using inhaler

 Methylxanthines:
o Theophylline
Indication/Use Action Side Effect Nursing
Considerations/
Contraindications
Maintenance therapy Relax smooth Dysrhythmias,  NARROW.
of chronic stable muscle nervous, irritability, THERAPEUTI
asthma insomnia, dizzy, C INDEX!!
flushing, dizzy,  Contra: seizure,
hypotension, cardiac, renal, or
seizure, gi distress, liver disorders
intestinal bleeding,
hyperglycemia,
tachycardia,
palpitations, cardio
respiratory collapse

“SLM” Team-Anti-inflammatories:
 Corticoid Steroids:
o Methylprednisolone
o Fluticasone: inhaler
o Triamcinolone: tablet
o Dexamethasone: injection
 Leukotriene receptor antagonist:
o Montellukast
o Zafirlukast
Indication/Use Action Side Effect Nursing
Considerations/
Contraindications
PROPHYLACTIC Reduce inflammatory Dizzy, HA, GI  Assess lung