COMPREHENSIVE PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW: CARDIAC,
RESPIRATORY, ENDOCRINE, AND COAGULATION DRUGS |
FROM QUESTION TO PERFECTION| STUDY WITH
CONFIDENCE!
What is the primary action of digoxin? Answer: It is a positive inotrope that increases the force
of contraction and a negative chronotrope that decreases heart rate.
What is a critical assessment before administering digoxin? Answer: Always take the apical
pulse for a full minute.
What risk is associated with the use of digoxin and furosemide (Lasix)? Answer: There is a high
risk for digoxin toxicity due to hypokalemia caused by Lasix.
What are the normal digoxin and serum potassium levels? Answer: Normal digoxin level is 0.5-
2 ng/mL and potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.
What are the signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity? Answer: Anorexia, bradycardia,
headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and visual disturbances (blurred vision, yellow vision,
halo vision).
When should digoxin be held? Answer: If the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute.
What is the side effect of labetalol? Answer: Weight gain due to fluid retention.
How is weight monitoring related to fluid gain or loss? Answer: 1 kg (2.2 lb) equals 1,000 mL
fluid gain or loss in 24 hours.
What is the purpose of a nitroglycerin transdermal patch? Answer: To treat chest pain (angina)
and should be removed at night to prevent tolerance.
Why should gloves be worn when applying nitroglycerin paste or patch? Answer: To prevent
severe vasodilation and intense headaches.
What should be done if a patient on a nitro drip becomes hypotensive? Answer: Decrease the
rate of the nitro drip.
What are the side effects of calcium channel blockers? Answer: Dizziness, facial flushing,
hypotension, and edema.
What should be avoided when taking calcium channel blockers? Answer: Grapefruit juice.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
, What is furosemide (Lasix) primarily used for? Answer: Rapid diuresis in emergencies, such as
pulmonary edema.
What are the potential side effects of furosemide? Answer: Hypokalemia, dizziness, headache,
tinnitus, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, hyperglycemia, and ototoxicity.
What foods are high in potassium? Answer: Dried fruits, fish, leafy vegetables, squash, beans,
meats, nuts, bananas, potatoes, and dairy products.
What is the maximum rate for IV potassium administration? Answer: No greater than 20
mEq/hr.
What is Osmitrol (Mannitol) used for? Answer: It is an osmotic diuretic used to treat increased
intracranial pressure (ICP).
What are potassium-sparing diuretics and their mechanism? Answer: They block aldosterone
receptors, inhibiting sodium and water reabsorption.
What should be monitored when using statins like atorvastatin? Answer: Liver function tests
(LFTs) and creatine kinase (CK) for muscle pain.
What is the action of alpha 1 adrenergic blockers like tamsulosin? Answer: They decrease
smooth muscle contraction of the prostate capsule and bladder neck.
What is the effect of dopaminergic activation? Answer: It causes dilation of the renal
vasculature, improving renal perfusion.
What should be done if dopamine extravasation occurs? Answer: Infiltrate the area with saline
solution containing phentolamine as soon as possible.
What is the use of an Epi-Pen? Answer: It is a single dose of epinephrine for emergency
treatment of anaphylaxis.
What are catecholamines and their importance? Answer: Catecholamines like epinephrine and
norepinephrine must be monitored for extravasation.
What are common side effects of sympathomimetic drugs? Answer: Increased heart rate,
stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and anxiety.
What should patients on warfarin be taught to avoid bleeding? Answer: Use a soft toothbrush,
electric razor, wear shoes, and maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K foods.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
RESPIRATORY, ENDOCRINE, AND COAGULATION DRUGS |
FROM QUESTION TO PERFECTION| STUDY WITH
CONFIDENCE!
What is the primary action of digoxin? Answer: It is a positive inotrope that increases the force
of contraction and a negative chronotrope that decreases heart rate.
What is a critical assessment before administering digoxin? Answer: Always take the apical
pulse for a full minute.
What risk is associated with the use of digoxin and furosemide (Lasix)? Answer: There is a high
risk for digoxin toxicity due to hypokalemia caused by Lasix.
What are the normal digoxin and serum potassium levels? Answer: Normal digoxin level is 0.5-
2 ng/mL and potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.
What are the signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity? Answer: Anorexia, bradycardia,
headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and visual disturbances (blurred vision, yellow vision,
halo vision).
When should digoxin be held? Answer: If the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute.
What is the side effect of labetalol? Answer: Weight gain due to fluid retention.
How is weight monitoring related to fluid gain or loss? Answer: 1 kg (2.2 lb) equals 1,000 mL
fluid gain or loss in 24 hours.
What is the purpose of a nitroglycerin transdermal patch? Answer: To treat chest pain (angina)
and should be removed at night to prevent tolerance.
Why should gloves be worn when applying nitroglycerin paste or patch? Answer: To prevent
severe vasodilation and intense headaches.
What should be done if a patient on a nitro drip becomes hypotensive? Answer: Decrease the
rate of the nitro drip.
What are the side effects of calcium channel blockers? Answer: Dizziness, facial flushing,
hypotension, and edema.
What should be avoided when taking calcium channel blockers? Answer: Grapefruit juice.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
, What is furosemide (Lasix) primarily used for? Answer: Rapid diuresis in emergencies, such as
pulmonary edema.
What are the potential side effects of furosemide? Answer: Hypokalemia, dizziness, headache,
tinnitus, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, hyperglycemia, and ototoxicity.
What foods are high in potassium? Answer: Dried fruits, fish, leafy vegetables, squash, beans,
meats, nuts, bananas, potatoes, and dairy products.
What is the maximum rate for IV potassium administration? Answer: No greater than 20
mEq/hr.
What is Osmitrol (Mannitol) used for? Answer: It is an osmotic diuretic used to treat increased
intracranial pressure (ICP).
What are potassium-sparing diuretics and their mechanism? Answer: They block aldosterone
receptors, inhibiting sodium and water reabsorption.
What should be monitored when using statins like atorvastatin? Answer: Liver function tests
(LFTs) and creatine kinase (CK) for muscle pain.
What is the action of alpha 1 adrenergic blockers like tamsulosin? Answer: They decrease
smooth muscle contraction of the prostate capsule and bladder neck.
What is the effect of dopaminergic activation? Answer: It causes dilation of the renal
vasculature, improving renal perfusion.
What should be done if dopamine extravasation occurs? Answer: Infiltrate the area with saline
solution containing phentolamine as soon as possible.
What is the use of an Epi-Pen? Answer: It is a single dose of epinephrine for emergency
treatment of anaphylaxis.
What are catecholamines and their importance? Answer: Catecholamines like epinephrine and
norepinephrine must be monitored for extravasation.
What are common side effects of sympathomimetic drugs? Answer: Increased heart rate,
stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and anxiety.
What should patients on warfarin be taught to avoid bleeding? Answer: Use a soft toothbrush,
electric razor, wear shoes, and maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K foods.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
