Top 50 Drugs-Nursing questions with
actual answers.
Albuterol Aerosol ANS - Class: Bronchodilator Beta 2 agonist
Thera: Bronchodilation for asthma, COPD, acute bronchospasm
SE: Nervousness, restlessness, tremor, chest pain, palpitations.
-- Assess lung sound before & after TX. Observe for paradoxical bronchospasm (wheezing). Consider
aerochamber. Monitor K+ and glucose. Rinse mouth with water to minimize dry mouth.
(Ambien) zolpidem ANS - Class: Sedative / hypnotic
Thera: Sedation and induction of sleep
SE: Amnesia, daytime drowsiness, drugged feeling, physical & psychological dependence, tolerance, GI
effects
-- Assess sleep, mental status, potential for dependence. Don't use more than 7-10 days. Avoid ETOH &
other CNS depressants
(Ativan) lorazepam ANS - Class: Antianxiety Sedative / hypnotic. Benzodiazepine.
Thera:Management of anxiety, insomnia, Status Epilepticus. Preoperative sedation. Postoperative
amnesia
SE: Dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, APNEA, CARDIAC ARREST with rapid IVP
-- Assess anxiety, mental status,. Avoid ETOH & other CNS depressants
(Avandia) rosiglitazone ANS - Class: Antidiabetic. Thiazolidinediones
Thera: Decrease insulin resistance
SE: Edema, anemia, wt gain, increased cholesterol
-- Monitor for fluid retention, hypoglycemia. Check PLFTs & CBC High Alert Medication!
(Cardiazem ) diltiazem ANS - Class: Antianginal antiarrhythimics (class IV) antihypertensive. CA++
channel blocker
Thera: Decreased blood pressure. Coronary vasodilation. Antiarrhythimic
, SE: Arrhythmias. CHF. Peripheral edema, Postural hypotension
-- Assess for signs of CHF. Monitor BP &P, notify < 50 bpm. May cause drowsiness of dizziness. Caution
patient to avoid driving until response to medication is known. Gingival hyperplasia-teach good oral care
(Celebrex ) celecoxib ANS - Class:NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitor
Thera: Analgesic, anti- inflammatory, & anti- pyretic
SE: GI BLEEDING, dermal rash, GI effects
-- Assess pain, ROM and swelling. Do not give if allergic to sulfonamides, aspirin or NSAIDs. Watch for
tarry stools.
(Cozaar) losartan ANS - Class: Angiotensin II receptor blocker
Thera: Antihypertensive. Decreases risk of stroke.
SE: Orthostatic hypotension, diarrhea. Dizziness, ANGIOEDEMA. Use cautiously in CHF
-- Assess orthostatic blood pressures. Use care when changing positions to prevent orthostatic
hypotension. Monitor BUN/Creatinine for possible early renal failure.
(Coumadin) warfarin ANS - Class:Anticoagulant. Interferes with hepative syntheses of Vitamin K-
dependant clotting factors
Thera: Prophylaxis/Treatment of venous &/or pulmonary embolism (PE) and atrial fibrillation w/
embolization. Antidote = Vitamin K
SE: Bleeding. Numerous drugs and natural products affect the activity of warfarin!
-- Asses for bleeding, or increased thrombosis. Check INR/PT before administration and regularly. PT
may be 1.3-1.5 times greater than control. INR goal dependent on medical diagnosis. Maintain
consistent vitamin K, Take in evening. Avoid ETOH & OTC medications. High Alert Medication
(Deltasone) prednisone ANS - Class:Anti-inflammatory. (intermediate acting) corticosteroid
Thera: inflammation & modification of the normal immune response; replacement therapy in adrenal
insufficiency. Management of cerebral edema. Potentiates anti-N/V action of Zofran.
SE: PEPTIC ULCERATION, THROMBOEMBOLISM, mood changes, hypertension, anorexia, nausea, acne,
decreased wound healing, ecchymosis, fragility, hirsutism, petechiae, adrenal suppression, muscle
wasting, osteoporosis, cushingoid appearance, GI effects
actual answers.
Albuterol Aerosol ANS - Class: Bronchodilator Beta 2 agonist
Thera: Bronchodilation for asthma, COPD, acute bronchospasm
SE: Nervousness, restlessness, tremor, chest pain, palpitations.
-- Assess lung sound before & after TX. Observe for paradoxical bronchospasm (wheezing). Consider
aerochamber. Monitor K+ and glucose. Rinse mouth with water to minimize dry mouth.
(Ambien) zolpidem ANS - Class: Sedative / hypnotic
Thera: Sedation and induction of sleep
SE: Amnesia, daytime drowsiness, drugged feeling, physical & psychological dependence, tolerance, GI
effects
-- Assess sleep, mental status, potential for dependence. Don't use more than 7-10 days. Avoid ETOH &
other CNS depressants
(Ativan) lorazepam ANS - Class: Antianxiety Sedative / hypnotic. Benzodiazepine.
Thera:Management of anxiety, insomnia, Status Epilepticus. Preoperative sedation. Postoperative
amnesia
SE: Dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, APNEA, CARDIAC ARREST with rapid IVP
-- Assess anxiety, mental status,. Avoid ETOH & other CNS depressants
(Avandia) rosiglitazone ANS - Class: Antidiabetic. Thiazolidinediones
Thera: Decrease insulin resistance
SE: Edema, anemia, wt gain, increased cholesterol
-- Monitor for fluid retention, hypoglycemia. Check PLFTs & CBC High Alert Medication!
(Cardiazem ) diltiazem ANS - Class: Antianginal antiarrhythimics (class IV) antihypertensive. CA++
channel blocker
Thera: Decreased blood pressure. Coronary vasodilation. Antiarrhythimic
, SE: Arrhythmias. CHF. Peripheral edema, Postural hypotension
-- Assess for signs of CHF. Monitor BP &P, notify < 50 bpm. May cause drowsiness of dizziness. Caution
patient to avoid driving until response to medication is known. Gingival hyperplasia-teach good oral care
(Celebrex ) celecoxib ANS - Class:NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitor
Thera: Analgesic, anti- inflammatory, & anti- pyretic
SE: GI BLEEDING, dermal rash, GI effects
-- Assess pain, ROM and swelling. Do not give if allergic to sulfonamides, aspirin or NSAIDs. Watch for
tarry stools.
(Cozaar) losartan ANS - Class: Angiotensin II receptor blocker
Thera: Antihypertensive. Decreases risk of stroke.
SE: Orthostatic hypotension, diarrhea. Dizziness, ANGIOEDEMA. Use cautiously in CHF
-- Assess orthostatic blood pressures. Use care when changing positions to prevent orthostatic
hypotension. Monitor BUN/Creatinine for possible early renal failure.
(Coumadin) warfarin ANS - Class:Anticoagulant. Interferes with hepative syntheses of Vitamin K-
dependant clotting factors
Thera: Prophylaxis/Treatment of venous &/or pulmonary embolism (PE) and atrial fibrillation w/
embolization. Antidote = Vitamin K
SE: Bleeding. Numerous drugs and natural products affect the activity of warfarin!
-- Asses for bleeding, or increased thrombosis. Check INR/PT before administration and regularly. PT
may be 1.3-1.5 times greater than control. INR goal dependent on medical diagnosis. Maintain
consistent vitamin K, Take in evening. Avoid ETOH & OTC medications. High Alert Medication
(Deltasone) prednisone ANS - Class:Anti-inflammatory. (intermediate acting) corticosteroid
Thera: inflammation & modification of the normal immune response; replacement therapy in adrenal
insufficiency. Management of cerebral edema. Potentiates anti-N/V action of Zofran.
SE: PEPTIC ULCERATION, THROMBOEMBOLISM, mood changes, hypertension, anorexia, nausea, acne,
decreased wound healing, ecchymosis, fragility, hirsutism, petechiae, adrenal suppression, muscle
wasting, osteoporosis, cushingoid appearance, GI effects
