NCSBN Medication Flashcards Test with Complete Solutions

NCSBN Medication Flashcards Test with Complete Solutions Alpha Blockers - Answer-DESCRIPTION These medications cause vasodilation by blocking the binding of norepinephrine to the smooth muscle receptors in blood vessels. Uses: To prevent, treat or improve symptoms in conditions such as hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Raynaud's disease, scleroderma, and pheochromocytoma. EXAMPLES doxazosin (Cardura) prazosin (Minipress) tamsulosin (Flomax) terazosin (Hytrin) Nice to know: alpha blockers are usually prescribed only when other antihypertensives are not working Really important: significant dizziness and syncope are common with the first dose (AKA first dose effect) Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors - Answer-DESCRIPTION These medications slow the activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), decreasing the production of angiotensin II. As a result, blood vessels relax and dilate, blood pressure lowers, and more oxygen-rich blood reaches the heart. Uses: Control blood pressure, treat heart failure, and help prevent stroke. EXAMPLES benazepril* (Lotensin) captopril (Capoten) enalapril* (Vasotec) fosinopril (Monopril) lisinopril* (Prinivil, Zestril) moexipril (Univasc) perindopril (Aceon) quinapril (Accupril) ramipril (Altace) trandolapril (Mavik) Good to know: can cause a permanent dry cough Really important: Warning! these drugs can cause angioedema a rare complication that may rapidly lead to cardiac arrest Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) - Answer-DESCRIPTION These medications block the action of angiotensin II by preventing angiotensin II from binding to angiotensin II receptors on blood vessels. As a result, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops. Uses: Control high blood pressure and treat heart failure. Slow the progression of kidney disease due to high blood pressure or diabetes. EXAMPLES candesartan (Atacand) irbesartan (Avapro) losartan (Cozaar) olmesartan* (Benicar) valsartan* (Diovan) Good to know: ARBs are used for people who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors (not a substitute for ACE inhibitors and do not prolong life the way ACE inhibitors do) Really important: Women who are pregnant should not take ARBs b/c they cause birth defects (pregnancy category D) Anti-Alzheimer's Agents - Answer-DESCRIPTION These medications: May prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine by blocking the activity of acetylcholinesterase (cholinesterase inhibitors). Help regulate the activity of glutamate, a chemical involved in the processing, storage and retrieval of information (NMDA receptor antagonists). Uses: Treat mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine). Memantine is used treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease. EXAMPLES cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil* (Aricept) galantamine (Razadyne) rivastigmine* (Exelon) NMDA receptor antagonist memantine* (Namenda) Really important: these drugs only postpone the worsening of symptoms. there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease Anti-Infectives - Aminoglycosides - Answer-DESCRIPTION These medications are bactericidal; they inhibit protein synthesis in bacteria and compromise the structure of the bacterial cell wall. Uses: Treat and prevent severe infections, such as septicemia and severe urinary tract infections. Treat hospital-acquired respiratory infections, caused by aerobic, gram-negative bacteria, e.g., as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species. EXAMPLES amikacin (Amikin) gentamicin (Garamycin) kanamycin (Kantrex) neomycin (Neo-Fradin) streptomycin (Streptomycin) tobramycin (Nebcin, TOBI) Good to know: aminoglycosides can be fairly toxic, so they are given for a short period of time. After initial tx the client is switched to a less toxic antiinfective (once the causative agent of infection is identified) Really important: a common side effect is hearing loss. Gentamicin toxicity is the most common cause of bilateral vestibulopathy (damage to both inner ears). Symptoms of toxicity include imbalance and oscillopsia Anti-Infectives - Cephalosporins - Answer-DESCRIPTION These medications belong to a group of broad spectrum, semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotics derived from the mold Cephalosporium. Like penicillins, they interfere with bacterial cell wall synthesis. Uses: Treat and prevent a wide variety of bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections, skin and soft-tissue infections, and urinary tract infections. EXAMPLES 1st Generation cefadroxil (Duricef) ceFAZolin (Ancef) cephalexin* (Keflex) 2nd Generation cefaclor (Raniclor, Ceclor) cefOXitin (Mefoxin) cefprozil (Cefzil) cefuroxime (Ceftin, Zinacef) 3rd Generation cefdinir* (Omnicef) cefixime (Suprax) cefoperazone (Cefobid) cefotaxime (Claforan) cefpodoxime (Vantin) cefTAZidime (Fortaz, Tazicef) ceftibuten (Cedax) ceftizoxime (Cefizox) cefTRIAXone (Rocephin) 4th Generation cefepime (Maxipime) Nice to know: used as an alternative to patients allergic to penicillins Really important: cefprozil contains phenylalanine and should not be prescribed for clients with PKU Anti-Infectives - Fluoroquinolones - Answer-DESCRIPTION These medications are bactericidal; they are the only class of antimicrobial agents in clinical use that directly inhibit DNA synthesis in bacteria. Uses: Treat wide range of infections of the sinuses, skin, lungs, ears, airways, urinary tract, bones, and joints caused by gram negative and gram positive organisms. Prevent and treat anthrax. EXAMPLES ciprofloxacin* (Cipro) gemifloxacin (Factive) levofloxacin* (Levaquin) moxifloxacin (Avelox) norfloxacin (Noroxin) ofloxacin (Floxin) Really important: BBW!! Fluoroquinolones use increases the likelihood of tendonitis & tendon rupture Anti-Infectives - Macrolides - Answer-DESCRIPTION These medications are bacteriostatic. They inhibit bacterial growth and reproduction by interfering with their ability to make proteins.