Focus on Nursing Pharmacology - Amy
M. Karch - Chapter 3
A low serum blood glucose concentration - ANS-Many drugs have an impact on glucose
levels because of their effects on the liver or the endocrine system. One of these is _____
(aka, hypoglycemia).
\Adverse reactions - ANS-Undesirable effects that may be unpleasant or even dangerous;
they include primary actions, secondary actions, and hypersensitivity reactions.
Anaphylactic shock - ANS-An allergic reaction in which a patient develops hives, rashes,
difficulty breathing, increased BP, dilated pupils, diaphoresis, "panic" feeling, increased heart
rate, and possibly respiratory arrest.
\Auditory - ANS-Tiny vessels and nerves in the eighth cranial nerve are easily irritated and
damaged by certain drugs. Damage to the eighth cranial nerve may lead to _____ damage.
\Blood dyscracia - ANS-This is bone marrow suppression caused by the effects of certain
drugs. This occurs when drugs that can cause cell death (e.g., antineoplastics, antibiotics,
etc.) are used.
\Bone marrow cells - ANS-Patients receiving antineoplastic drugs that disrupt cell function
often have adverse effects involving cells that turn over rapidly in the body. These cells
include _____.
\Breathing difficulty - ANS-An example of a drug allergy is _____ after an injection of
penicillin.
\Cytotoxic reactions - ANS-In this type of drug allergy a patient's lab workup may show
damage to blood-forming cells (decreased hematocrit, white blood cell count, and platelets);
elevated liver enzymes; and decreased renal function.
\Dermatologic reactions - ANS-Adverse reactions involving the skin. These can range from a
simple rash to potentially fatal exfoliative dermatitis.
\Drug allergy - ANS-A formation of antibodies which causes an immune response the next
time the person is exposed to that drug.
\Ephedrine (generic) - ANS-This drug -- used as a bronchodilator, antiasthmatic, and to
relieve nasal congestion -- can break down stored glycogen and cause an elevation of blood
glucose by its effects on the sympathetic nervous system.
\Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose concentration) - ANS-Symptoms of this condition may
include: fatigue, increased urination (polyuria), increased thirst (polydipsia), deep
respirations (Kussmaul respirations), restlessness, increased hunger (polyphagia), nausea,
hot or flushed skin, and a fruity breath odor.
\Hyperkalemia - ANS-Some drugs that affect the kidney, such as the potassium-sparing
diuretics, can lead to this condition as a result of potassium retention.
\Hypersensitivity reaction - ANS-Excessive responsiveness to either the primary or the
secondary effects of a drug; may be caused by a pathological condition or, in the absence of
one, by a patient's individual response.
\Hypoglycemia - ANS-A patient taking glyburide (an antidiabetic drug) has his morning dose
and then does not have a chance to eat for several hours. An adverse effect that might be
expected from this would be _____.
M. Karch - Chapter 3
A low serum blood glucose concentration - ANS-Many drugs have an impact on glucose
levels because of their effects on the liver or the endocrine system. One of these is _____
(aka, hypoglycemia).
\Adverse reactions - ANS-Undesirable effects that may be unpleasant or even dangerous;
they include primary actions, secondary actions, and hypersensitivity reactions.
Anaphylactic shock - ANS-An allergic reaction in which a patient develops hives, rashes,
difficulty breathing, increased BP, dilated pupils, diaphoresis, "panic" feeling, increased heart
rate, and possibly respiratory arrest.
\Auditory - ANS-Tiny vessels and nerves in the eighth cranial nerve are easily irritated and
damaged by certain drugs. Damage to the eighth cranial nerve may lead to _____ damage.
\Blood dyscracia - ANS-This is bone marrow suppression caused by the effects of certain
drugs. This occurs when drugs that can cause cell death (e.g., antineoplastics, antibiotics,
etc.) are used.
\Bone marrow cells - ANS-Patients receiving antineoplastic drugs that disrupt cell function
often have adverse effects involving cells that turn over rapidly in the body. These cells
include _____.
\Breathing difficulty - ANS-An example of a drug allergy is _____ after an injection of
penicillin.
\Cytotoxic reactions - ANS-In this type of drug allergy a patient's lab workup may show
damage to blood-forming cells (decreased hematocrit, white blood cell count, and platelets);
elevated liver enzymes; and decreased renal function.
\Dermatologic reactions - ANS-Adverse reactions involving the skin. These can range from a
simple rash to potentially fatal exfoliative dermatitis.
\Drug allergy - ANS-A formation of antibodies which causes an immune response the next
time the person is exposed to that drug.
\Ephedrine (generic) - ANS-This drug -- used as a bronchodilator, antiasthmatic, and to
relieve nasal congestion -- can break down stored glycogen and cause an elevation of blood
glucose by its effects on the sympathetic nervous system.
\Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose concentration) - ANS-Symptoms of this condition may
include: fatigue, increased urination (polyuria), increased thirst (polydipsia), deep
respirations (Kussmaul respirations), restlessness, increased hunger (polyphagia), nausea,
hot or flushed skin, and a fruity breath odor.
\Hyperkalemia - ANS-Some drugs that affect the kidney, such as the potassium-sparing
diuretics, can lead to this condition as a result of potassium retention.
\Hypersensitivity reaction - ANS-Excessive responsiveness to either the primary or the
secondary effects of a drug; may be caused by a pathological condition or, in the absence of
one, by a patient's individual response.
\Hypoglycemia - ANS-A patient taking glyburide (an antidiabetic drug) has his morning dose
and then does not have a chance to eat for several hours. An adverse effect that might be
expected from this would be _____.
