Basic Pharmacology for Nurses - Drug Classifications Quick Card
2025-2026!!
Cholinergic - ANSWER>>also known as parasympathomimetics; mimic the effect of
acetylcholine
Cholinesterase inhibitors - ANSWER>>cholinesterase enzymes destroy acetycholine,
stopping its action. Cholinesterase inhibitors block destruction of acetylcholine, thus
prolonging its action. Examples of cholinesterase inhibitors are demecarium and
echothiophate
Coating agent - ANSWER>>this drug, sucralfate, forms a complex that adheres to the
crater of an ulcer, protecting it from aggravation from gastric secretions
colony-stimulating factors - ANSWER>>stimulate progenitor cells in bone marrow to
increase numbers of leukocytes, thereby improving immune function
corticosteroids - ANSWER>>these hormones are secreted by the adrenal cortex of the
adrenal gland
cycloplegics - ANSWER>>anticholinergic agents that paralyze accommodation of the
iris of the eye
cytotoxics - ANSWER>>agents that cause direct cell death; often used for cancer
chemotherapy
decongestants - ANSWER>>relieve swelling of the nasal passages caused by a common
cold or allergic rhinitis, usually by vasoconstriction
digestants - ANSWER>>fixed combinations of digestive enzymes in preparations used to
, treat a range of digestive disorders and to supplement deficiencies of natural digestive
enzymes
digitalis glycosides - ANSWERa class of medications, also referred to as cardiac
glycosides, that increase the force of contraction and slow the heart rate, thus
increasing cardiac output. digoxin is the prototype
diuretics - ANSWERhave the effect of increasing the flow of urine
emetics - ANSWERagents used to produce vomiting
estrogens - ANSWERsteroids that produce feminizing effects
expectorants - ANSWER>> liquefy mucus by stimulating the natural lubricant fluids from
the bronchial glands, allowing the liquified mucus to be expectorated or coughed up out
of the bronchi and trachea
fluoroquinolones - ANSWER>> ciprofloxacin and related agents; widely used
broad-spectrum antibiotics
gastric stimulants - ANSWER>>used to increase stomach contractions, relax the pyloric
valve, and increase peristalsis int he gastrointestinal tract; result in a decrease in
gastric transit time and more rapid emptying of the intestinal tract; prototype is
metoclopramide
glucocorticoids - ANSWER>>also known as adrenocorticosteroids; are used to regulate
carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism
gonadal hormones ANSWER hormones produced by the testes in the male and ovaries
in the female
herbals ANSWER plant products usually sold as food supplements; may have
pharmacologic effects that are not evaluated or regulated by the FDA
2025-2026!!
Cholinergic - ANSWER>>also known as parasympathomimetics; mimic the effect of
acetylcholine
Cholinesterase inhibitors - ANSWER>>cholinesterase enzymes destroy acetycholine,
stopping its action. Cholinesterase inhibitors block destruction of acetylcholine, thus
prolonging its action. Examples of cholinesterase inhibitors are demecarium and
echothiophate
Coating agent - ANSWER>>this drug, sucralfate, forms a complex that adheres to the
crater of an ulcer, protecting it from aggravation from gastric secretions
colony-stimulating factors - ANSWER>>stimulate progenitor cells in bone marrow to
increase numbers of leukocytes, thereby improving immune function
corticosteroids - ANSWER>>these hormones are secreted by the adrenal cortex of the
adrenal gland
cycloplegics - ANSWER>>anticholinergic agents that paralyze accommodation of the
iris of the eye
cytotoxics - ANSWER>>agents that cause direct cell death; often used for cancer
chemotherapy
decongestants - ANSWER>>relieve swelling of the nasal passages caused by a common
cold or allergic rhinitis, usually by vasoconstriction
digestants - ANSWER>>fixed combinations of digestive enzymes in preparations used to
, treat a range of digestive disorders and to supplement deficiencies of natural digestive
enzymes
digitalis glycosides - ANSWERa class of medications, also referred to as cardiac
glycosides, that increase the force of contraction and slow the heart rate, thus
increasing cardiac output. digoxin is the prototype
diuretics - ANSWERhave the effect of increasing the flow of urine
emetics - ANSWERagents used to produce vomiting
estrogens - ANSWERsteroids that produce feminizing effects
expectorants - ANSWER>> liquefy mucus by stimulating the natural lubricant fluids from
the bronchial glands, allowing the liquified mucus to be expectorated or coughed up out
of the bronchi and trachea
fluoroquinolones - ANSWER>> ciprofloxacin and related agents; widely used
broad-spectrum antibiotics
gastric stimulants - ANSWER>>used to increase stomach contractions, relax the pyloric
valve, and increase peristalsis int he gastrointestinal tract; result in a decrease in
gastric transit time and more rapid emptying of the intestinal tract; prototype is
metoclopramide
glucocorticoids - ANSWER>>also known as adrenocorticosteroids; are used to regulate
carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism
gonadal hormones ANSWER hormones produced by the testes in the male and ovaries
in the female
herbals ANSWER plant products usually sold as food supplements; may have
pharmacologic effects that are not evaluated or regulated by the FDA
