VIRTUAL ATI PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW 2026
PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
CARDIOVASCULAR CNS AND ENDOCRINE
PHARMACOLOGY BREAKDOWN FULL REVIEW
◉ Uterine Stimulants: Oxytocin (Pitocin). Answer: -Uses: induction
and enhancement of labor, can also facilitate placenta delivery &
address hemorrhaging
-MOA: stimulates uterus to contract
-SE: uterine rupture, painful contractions
-Key Points: closely monitor contracts (less than 60 seconds, every
2-3 mins), monitor fetal and maternal vital signs, use magnesium to
relax the smooth muscle in uterus
◉ Important note for Pitocin. Answer: D/c the medication if
contractions last logner than 60 seconds to prevent rupture!!
◉ Medications to treat preterm labor: Terbutaline Sulfate. Answer: -
Uses: preterm labor, delays but does not prevent labor
-Can also be used for COPD and asthma
-MOA: activates receptors to relax uterus and cause bronchodilation
in the lungs
-SE: tachycardia, angina, restlessness, tremors
,-Contraindictions: gestation of 34 weeks or more, cervical dilation of
more than 6 cm (delivery is inevitable)
◉ Other meds used for preterm labor. Answer:
◉ Calcium Channel Blocker: Nifedipine. Answer: -Uses: to suppress
contractions
-SE: orthostatic hypotension (usually used to lower BP)
◉ Magnesium Sulfate. Answer: -Uses: to relax the smooth muscle of
the uterus
-SE: magnesium toxicity (decreased reflexes, decreased urine output,
res depression)
-Key points: antidote is calcium gluconate
◉ NSAID: Indomethacin (Aleve). Answer: -Uses: suppression of
labor
-MOA: blocks prostaglandin synthesis
-SE: gi upset, headache, drowsiness
◉ Opioid Analgesic during Labor: Meperidine Hydrochloride.
Answer: -Uses: severe pain during labor
-MOA: binds to opioid receptors to decrease pain w/o causing res
depression in mom or baby
, -SE: gi upset, dry mouth, sedation, decreased fetal heart rate
-Key Points: labor should be well established before administration,
antidote is naloxone, monitor for res depression
◉ If Meperidine Hydrochloride is given too early.... Answer: It can
slow labor down and cause complications (make sure cervix is
dilated at least 4 cm!!)
◉ Estrogens: Conjugated Equine Estrogen and Estradiol. Answer: -
Uses: contraceptive, treatment of PMS symptoms, post-menopausal
osteoporosis, dysmenorrhea, prostate cancer
-SE: increased risk of embolic events, hypertension, weight gain,
edema, increased risk of cancer
-Key Points: do not administer to pts who smoke, have hypertension,
are at risk for embolic events or have estrogen dependent cancer
◉ Progesterones: Medroxyprogesterone. Answer: -Uses:
contraception alone or in combo with estrogen (counters adverse
effects of estrogen)
-SE: increased risk of embolic events & breast cancer, menstrual
changes, edema
-Key Points: delay conception for 3 months after discontinuing, do
not give to patients with high risk for embolic events
PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
CARDIOVASCULAR CNS AND ENDOCRINE
PHARMACOLOGY BREAKDOWN FULL REVIEW
◉ Uterine Stimulants: Oxytocin (Pitocin). Answer: -Uses: induction
and enhancement of labor, can also facilitate placenta delivery &
address hemorrhaging
-MOA: stimulates uterus to contract
-SE: uterine rupture, painful contractions
-Key Points: closely monitor contracts (less than 60 seconds, every
2-3 mins), monitor fetal and maternal vital signs, use magnesium to
relax the smooth muscle in uterus
◉ Important note for Pitocin. Answer: D/c the medication if
contractions last logner than 60 seconds to prevent rupture!!
◉ Medications to treat preterm labor: Terbutaline Sulfate. Answer: -
Uses: preterm labor, delays but does not prevent labor
-Can also be used for COPD and asthma
-MOA: activates receptors to relax uterus and cause bronchodilation
in the lungs
-SE: tachycardia, angina, restlessness, tremors
,-Contraindictions: gestation of 34 weeks or more, cervical dilation of
more than 6 cm (delivery is inevitable)
◉ Other meds used for preterm labor. Answer:
◉ Calcium Channel Blocker: Nifedipine. Answer: -Uses: to suppress
contractions
-SE: orthostatic hypotension (usually used to lower BP)
◉ Magnesium Sulfate. Answer: -Uses: to relax the smooth muscle of
the uterus
-SE: magnesium toxicity (decreased reflexes, decreased urine output,
res depression)
-Key points: antidote is calcium gluconate
◉ NSAID: Indomethacin (Aleve). Answer: -Uses: suppression of
labor
-MOA: blocks prostaglandin synthesis
-SE: gi upset, headache, drowsiness
◉ Opioid Analgesic during Labor: Meperidine Hydrochloride.
Answer: -Uses: severe pain during labor
-MOA: binds to opioid receptors to decrease pain w/o causing res
depression in mom or baby
, -SE: gi upset, dry mouth, sedation, decreased fetal heart rate
-Key Points: labor should be well established before administration,
antidote is naloxone, monitor for res depression
◉ If Meperidine Hydrochloride is given too early.... Answer: It can
slow labor down and cause complications (make sure cervix is
dilated at least 4 cm!!)
◉ Estrogens: Conjugated Equine Estrogen and Estradiol. Answer: -
Uses: contraceptive, treatment of PMS symptoms, post-menopausal
osteoporosis, dysmenorrhea, prostate cancer
-SE: increased risk of embolic events, hypertension, weight gain,
edema, increased risk of cancer
-Key Points: do not administer to pts who smoke, have hypertension,
are at risk for embolic events or have estrogen dependent cancer
◉ Progesterones: Medroxyprogesterone. Answer: -Uses:
contraception alone or in combo with estrogen (counters adverse
effects of estrogen)
-SE: increased risk of embolic events & breast cancer, menstrual
changes, edema
-Key Points: delay conception for 3 months after discontinuing, do
not give to patients with high risk for embolic events
