Nursing Pharmacology (Drugs) Study
guide With Explanations 2025 Updated
acetaminophen - Answer centrally acting cox inhibitor; analgesic and antipyretic properties; no
antiinflammatory,antirheumatic properties
acyclovir - Answer Antimetabolite for Treating Herpes Simplex Virus & Varicella-Zoster Virus Infections;
MOAs: Purine necleoside analog: DNA polymerase inhibitor, suppresses synthesis of viral DNA,
resistance.
albuterol - Answer (SABA) short acting beta 2 receptor agonist, used for bronchospasm, acute
symptoms of asthma
alosetron - Answer IBS-D, women only
Aluminum hydroxide - Answer antacid; constipation
Amantadine - Answer antiparkinson's drug; dopamine agonist
amiodarone - Answer Class 3 Potassium channel blocker
Only approved for life-threatening dysrhythmias.
Delays repolarization and extends action potential of heart muscle cells.
SE: Profound hypotension."
amoxicillin - Answer Broad-spectrum penicillin active against H. influenzae, E. coli, and N.
Gonorrhoeae. It is inactivated by beta-lactamases, so not helpful for Staphylococcus.
,amphotericin B - Answer broad spectrum antifungal, which is the agent of choice for systemic
mycoses, despite being highly toxic. Its uses are limited to treating progressive and potentially fatal
infections. Adverse effects include infusion reactions, nephrotoxicity, and hypokalemia.
aprepitant - Answer antiemetic, Substance P/neurokinin antagonists
aPTT; INR - Answer __ is for monitoring heparin and __ is for monitoring warfarin
aspirin - Answer A drug that decrease platelet aggregation and is used to prevent arterial thrombosis,
stroke, or MI. Major SEs include risk of major GI bleeding. This drug is an NSAID that works by inhibiting
platelet COX, COX-1, and COX-2.
aspirin; warfarin - Answer arterial thrombi best prevented with ___. venous thrombi prevented with
___.
atropine - Answer muscinarinic receptor antagonist/anticholinergic drug; used for mydriases (eye
exams), to raise HR, lower GI motility, and as antidote to muscarinic poisoning (rx, shrooms)
beclomethasone - Answer inhaled corticosteroid used to treat airway inflammation in asthma
benzodiazapine - Answer Potentiate GABA (inhibitory enzyme) activity. Pros: faster onset, target CNS
and Physical Symptoms. Cons: higher abuse potential.
Benztropine - Answer antiparkinson's anticholinergic
beta blocker or CCB and warfarin - Answer drugs for initial management of atrial fibrillation
, bethanechol - Answer muscarinic agnonist, used primarily for urinary retention
bisacodyl - Answer abx for PUD, cell wall disruptor
Bismuth - Answer Antibiotics for H.pylori ulcers
buproprion - Answer (DA and NE). Weight loss, seizure, insomnia, headache, serotonin syndrome (see
laundry list above), withdrawal, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Calcium carbonate - Answer antacid; constipation
captopril - Answer ACE inhibitor - shown to have efficacious effects in treating a patient with heart
failure. Blocks production of angiotensin II, dilates arterioles and veins, and decreases release of
aldosterone. It may show the adverse effects of hypotension, hyperkalemia, or persistant cough,
CARDIAC REMODELING
carbenicillin - Answer "Extended spectrum (antipseudomonal penicillins), which has the same
spectrum of activity as broad-spectrum penicillins, plus treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Carbidopa - Answer antiparkinson's drug; dopamine agonist
cefotaxime - Answer "Third generation cephalosporin with activity against meningitis and nosocomial
infections resistant to others (restricted use). It has greater activity against Gram negative bacteria,
increased resistance to beta-lactamases, and better ability to reach CSF.
celecoxib - Answer 2nd Generation Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug (COX-2 Selective NSAID); AE:
risk of CV events, warfarin may be more effective with celecoxib
guide With Explanations 2025 Updated
acetaminophen - Answer centrally acting cox inhibitor; analgesic and antipyretic properties; no
antiinflammatory,antirheumatic properties
acyclovir - Answer Antimetabolite for Treating Herpes Simplex Virus & Varicella-Zoster Virus Infections;
MOAs: Purine necleoside analog: DNA polymerase inhibitor, suppresses synthesis of viral DNA,
resistance.
albuterol - Answer (SABA) short acting beta 2 receptor agonist, used for bronchospasm, acute
symptoms of asthma
alosetron - Answer IBS-D, women only
Aluminum hydroxide - Answer antacid; constipation
Amantadine - Answer antiparkinson's drug; dopamine agonist
amiodarone - Answer Class 3 Potassium channel blocker
Only approved for life-threatening dysrhythmias.
Delays repolarization and extends action potential of heart muscle cells.
SE: Profound hypotension."
amoxicillin - Answer Broad-spectrum penicillin active against H. influenzae, E. coli, and N.
Gonorrhoeae. It is inactivated by beta-lactamases, so not helpful for Staphylococcus.
,amphotericin B - Answer broad spectrum antifungal, which is the agent of choice for systemic
mycoses, despite being highly toxic. Its uses are limited to treating progressive and potentially fatal
infections. Adverse effects include infusion reactions, nephrotoxicity, and hypokalemia.
aprepitant - Answer antiemetic, Substance P/neurokinin antagonists
aPTT; INR - Answer __ is for monitoring heparin and __ is for monitoring warfarin
aspirin - Answer A drug that decrease platelet aggregation and is used to prevent arterial thrombosis,
stroke, or MI. Major SEs include risk of major GI bleeding. This drug is an NSAID that works by inhibiting
platelet COX, COX-1, and COX-2.
aspirin; warfarin - Answer arterial thrombi best prevented with ___. venous thrombi prevented with
___.
atropine - Answer muscinarinic receptor antagonist/anticholinergic drug; used for mydriases (eye
exams), to raise HR, lower GI motility, and as antidote to muscarinic poisoning (rx, shrooms)
beclomethasone - Answer inhaled corticosteroid used to treat airway inflammation in asthma
benzodiazapine - Answer Potentiate GABA (inhibitory enzyme) activity. Pros: faster onset, target CNS
and Physical Symptoms. Cons: higher abuse potential.
Benztropine - Answer antiparkinson's anticholinergic
beta blocker or CCB and warfarin - Answer drugs for initial management of atrial fibrillation
, bethanechol - Answer muscarinic agnonist, used primarily for urinary retention
bisacodyl - Answer abx for PUD, cell wall disruptor
Bismuth - Answer Antibiotics for H.pylori ulcers
buproprion - Answer (DA and NE). Weight loss, seizure, insomnia, headache, serotonin syndrome (see
laundry list above), withdrawal, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Calcium carbonate - Answer antacid; constipation
captopril - Answer ACE inhibitor - shown to have efficacious effects in treating a patient with heart
failure. Blocks production of angiotensin II, dilates arterioles and veins, and decreases release of
aldosterone. It may show the adverse effects of hypotension, hyperkalemia, or persistant cough,
CARDIAC REMODELING
carbenicillin - Answer "Extended spectrum (antipseudomonal penicillins), which has the same
spectrum of activity as broad-spectrum penicillins, plus treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Carbidopa - Answer antiparkinson's drug; dopamine agonist
cefotaxime - Answer "Third generation cephalosporin with activity against meningitis and nosocomial
infections resistant to others (restricted use). It has greater activity against Gram negative bacteria,
increased resistance to beta-lactamases, and better ability to reach CSF.
celecoxib - Answer 2nd Generation Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug (COX-2 Selective NSAID); AE:
risk of CV events, warfarin may be more effective with celecoxib
