ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug
Classifications & Effects
Pharm ATI Information: List of Drugs to review/study
Note
• LEARN HOW TO GROUP DRUGS BY THEIR SPELLING (Specifically the
ending of the word)
o Rationale: This will better help associate the drug to the potential adverse
effect or therapeutic effect of the drug EVEN IF YOU NEVER SEEN THAT
DRUG BEFORE
o Examples:
▪ “pril”
• ACE Inhibitors
• Ex. Captopril
▪ “Sartans”
• ARBS Drug class
• Ex. Losartan
▪ “Statin”
• Cholesterol and Lipid-Lowering (HMG-CoA Reductase
Inhibitors) Drug Class
• Ex. Atorvastatin, Lovastatin
▪ “olol”
• Beta-Blocker Class
• Ex. Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol
▪ “ine”
• Typically drugs with Anticholinergic effects (ex. Dry mouth,
blurred vision, dry eyes, constipation, urinary retention, etc.)
▪ “mycin”
• Aminoglycosides class of Antibiotics
• Ex. Gentamicin (Garamycin), Neomycin, Streptomycin
▪ “Tron”
• Common Classes of Antiemetics – Serotonin Antagonists
• Ex. Ondansetron
▪ “Fil”
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Agents
• Ex. Sildenafil, Vardenafil, Tadalafil
• “Fil” the Penis
• STUDY AND KNOW ANTIBIOTICS!!!!
o Isoniazid
▪ Take on an empty stomach to improve absorption of medication
▪ Used to treat TB
o Imipenem
▪ Possible for seizures to occur with this medication (notify provider
immediately if noticed)
ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
,ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
o Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)
▪ Used to treat and prevent Urinary Treat Infections
• STUDY AND KNOW INSULIN
o Regular Insulin used to Treat DKA
• STUY AND KNOW DIURETICS!!!
• Noticed Several Hypothyroidism and administration of Levothyroxine Questions
While studying
• Salicylism = Aspirin Toxicity
o Tinnitus = manifestation of Aspirin Toxicity
• Note: St. John’s wort increases the client risk for Serotonin Syndrome
o Drugs Not compatible with St. John’s Wort
▪ Anticonvulsants (such as Phenytoin and Valproic Acid)
▪ Barbiturates (such as Phenobarbital and Amobarbital)
• CNS depressants commonly used for Anesthesia and
Treatment of Seizures
▪ Antidepressants (SSRI, MAOIs, etc.)
▪ Allergy Drugs (Antihistamines)
▪ Digoxin
• Typical/Notable Adverse Effects for Steroid Medications
o Hyperglycemia
o Fluid retention
o Hypokalemia
o GI Irritation
o Bleeding Tendencies
o Osteoporosis (which includes fractures as well)
o Adrenal Atrophy
o Muscle Wasting
o Cushing’s Syndrome
▪ Weight Gain
▪ Stretch Marks (Striae)
▪ Thinning, fragile skin that bruise easily
▪ Slow wound healing
▪ Hirsutism (in women)
▪ Irregular Menstrual Periods (in women)
▪ Severe fatigue
▪ Muscle Weakness
• Long-term use of Steroid Medication
o Anger/Aggression
ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
,ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
o Paranoia
o Heart Attack
o Delusions
o Stroke
o Kidney Failure
• Simvastatin
o Adverse effects
▪ Muscle Injury (which can progress to myositis)
o Nursing Consideration
▪ Client should report any unusual onset of muscle pain or tenderness
to the provider immediately
• Short-Acting Beta2-Agonist (Bronchodilator Drug); Seen Several Times While
Studying
o Indication of Bronchodilator
▪ Quick relief of symptoms during asthma attack
▪ Prevent asthma symptoms before exercise
▪ Reverses Bronchospasms
o Action of Bronchodilator
▪ Binds to receptors in the lungs, resulting in relaxation of bronchial
smooth muscles
• Propylthiouracil (Anti-thyroid agent)
o Treatment of patients with Hyperthyroidism
o used for treatment of Graves’ Disease
• Heparin
o understanding how and where Heparin is administered
• Ranitidine (H2-Antagonist)
o Adverse effects
▪ Confusion (most frequent CNS adverse effect)
▪ Headache, Dizziness, Drowsiness, and Hallucinations (less frequent CNS
adverse effects)
o Nursing Intervention
▪ Educate patient to monitor and report yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Rationale: this drug can be hepatotoxic and cause jaundice
ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
, ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
• Captopril (ACE Inhibitor Class) – Drug used to control blood pressure
o Adverse Effect
▪ Cough (MUST KNOW), Chest pain, heart failure,
▪ Orthostatic Hypotension
▪ Dizziness
▪ Hyperkalemia, Arrhythmias
▪ Neutropenia (serious adverse effect deriving from a sore throat)
o Nursing Intervention
▪ Educate patient to notify physician if they develop a sore throat
• Rationale: Sore throat can indicate neutropenia
• Atenolol
o Adverse Effect
▪ Hypotension
o Nursing Intervention
▪ Assess/obtain patient’s blood pressure
• Metoclopramide
o Indication
▪ Type of Gastrointestinal Stimulants
▪ These drugs stimulate parasympathetic activity or make the GI tissues
more sensitive to parasympathetic activity
o Action
▪ Reduces nausea and vomiting by increasing gastric motility and promoting
gastric emptying
o Adverse Effects
▪ Multiple CNS adverse effects
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Sedation
o Contraindication
▪ Intestinal obstruction
• Haloperidol (Antipsychotic)
o Indication
▪ Treatment of Schizophrenia
o Complication of Haloperidol
▪ Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
• Acute life-threatening Emergency
ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug
Classifications & Effects
Pharm ATI Information: List of Drugs to review/study
Note
• LEARN HOW TO GROUP DRUGS BY THEIR SPELLING (Specifically the
ending of the word)
o Rationale: This will better help associate the drug to the potential adverse
effect or therapeutic effect of the drug EVEN IF YOU NEVER SEEN THAT
DRUG BEFORE
o Examples:
▪ “pril”
• ACE Inhibitors
• Ex. Captopril
▪ “Sartans”
• ARBS Drug class
• Ex. Losartan
▪ “Statin”
• Cholesterol and Lipid-Lowering (HMG-CoA Reductase
Inhibitors) Drug Class
• Ex. Atorvastatin, Lovastatin
▪ “olol”
• Beta-Blocker Class
• Ex. Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol
▪ “ine”
• Typically drugs with Anticholinergic effects (ex. Dry mouth,
blurred vision, dry eyes, constipation, urinary retention, etc.)
▪ “mycin”
• Aminoglycosides class of Antibiotics
• Ex. Gentamicin (Garamycin), Neomycin, Streptomycin
▪ “Tron”
• Common Classes of Antiemetics – Serotonin Antagonists
• Ex. Ondansetron
▪ “Fil”
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Agents
• Ex. Sildenafil, Vardenafil, Tadalafil
• “Fil” the Penis
• STUDY AND KNOW ANTIBIOTICS!!!!
o Isoniazid
▪ Take on an empty stomach to improve absorption of medication
▪ Used to treat TB
o Imipenem
▪ Possible for seizures to occur with this medication (notify provider
immediately if noticed)
ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
,ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
o Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)
▪ Used to treat and prevent Urinary Treat Infections
• STUDY AND KNOW INSULIN
o Regular Insulin used to Treat DKA
• STUY AND KNOW DIURETICS!!!
• Noticed Several Hypothyroidism and administration of Levothyroxine Questions
While studying
• Salicylism = Aspirin Toxicity
o Tinnitus = manifestation of Aspirin Toxicity
• Note: St. John’s wort increases the client risk for Serotonin Syndrome
o Drugs Not compatible with St. John’s Wort
▪ Anticonvulsants (such as Phenytoin and Valproic Acid)
▪ Barbiturates (such as Phenobarbital and Amobarbital)
• CNS depressants commonly used for Anesthesia and
Treatment of Seizures
▪ Antidepressants (SSRI, MAOIs, etc.)
▪ Allergy Drugs (Antihistamines)
▪ Digoxin
• Typical/Notable Adverse Effects for Steroid Medications
o Hyperglycemia
o Fluid retention
o Hypokalemia
o GI Irritation
o Bleeding Tendencies
o Osteoporosis (which includes fractures as well)
o Adrenal Atrophy
o Muscle Wasting
o Cushing’s Syndrome
▪ Weight Gain
▪ Stretch Marks (Striae)
▪ Thinning, fragile skin that bruise easily
▪ Slow wound healing
▪ Hirsutism (in women)
▪ Irregular Menstrual Periods (in women)
▪ Severe fatigue
▪ Muscle Weakness
• Long-term use of Steroid Medication
o Anger/Aggression
ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
,ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
o Paranoia
o Heart Attack
o Delusions
o Stroke
o Kidney Failure
• Simvastatin
o Adverse effects
▪ Muscle Injury (which can progress to myositis)
o Nursing Consideration
▪ Client should report any unusual onset of muscle pain or tenderness
to the provider immediately
• Short-Acting Beta2-Agonist (Bronchodilator Drug); Seen Several Times While
Studying
o Indication of Bronchodilator
▪ Quick relief of symptoms during asthma attack
▪ Prevent asthma symptoms before exercise
▪ Reverses Bronchospasms
o Action of Bronchodilator
▪ Binds to receptors in the lungs, resulting in relaxation of bronchial
smooth muscles
• Propylthiouracil (Anti-thyroid agent)
o Treatment of patients with Hyperthyroidism
o used for treatment of Graves’ Disease
• Heparin
o understanding how and where Heparin is administered
• Ranitidine (H2-Antagonist)
o Adverse effects
▪ Confusion (most frequent CNS adverse effect)
▪ Headache, Dizziness, Drowsiness, and Hallucinations (less frequent CNS
adverse effects)
o Nursing Intervention
▪ Educate patient to monitor and report yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Rationale: this drug can be hepatotoxic and cause jaundice
ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
, ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
• Captopril (ACE Inhibitor Class) – Drug used to control blood pressure
o Adverse Effect
▪ Cough (MUST KNOW), Chest pain, heart failure,
▪ Orthostatic Hypotension
▪ Dizziness
▪ Hyperkalemia, Arrhythmias
▪ Neutropenia (serious adverse effect deriving from a sore throat)
o Nursing Intervention
▪ Educate patient to notify physician if they develop a sore throat
• Rationale: Sore throat can indicate neutropenia
• Atenolol
o Adverse Effect
▪ Hypotension
o Nursing Intervention
▪ Assess/obtain patient’s blood pressure
• Metoclopramide
o Indication
▪ Type of Gastrointestinal Stimulants
▪ These drugs stimulate parasympathetic activity or make the GI tissues
more sensitive to parasympathetic activity
o Action
▪ Reduces nausea and vomiting by increasing gastric motility and promoting
gastric emptying
o Adverse Effects
▪ Multiple CNS adverse effects
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Sedation
o Contraindication
▪ Intestinal obstruction
• Haloperidol (Antipsychotic)
o Indication
▪ Treatment of Schizophrenia
o Complication of Haloperidol
▪ Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
• Acute life-threatening Emergency
ATI Pharm Proctored Exam Study Guide: Key Drug Classifications & Effects
