Relias Assessments Assistance Material RN Pharmacology
1. Antacids: Antacids are used to chemically react with and neutralize the acid
in the stomach. They can provide rapid relief from increased acid levels. They are
known to cause GI alterations such as diarrhea or constipation and can alter the
absorption of many drugs.
2. What are antacids?: Antacids are a group of inorganic chemicals that
neutralize stomach acid.
Antacids are available OTC, and many patients use them to self-treat a variety of
GI symptoms.
The choice of an antacid depends on adverse effects and absorption factors.
3. Antacids Therapeutic actions: The desired actions of antacids include the
following:
Neutralize stomach acid by direct chemical reaction.
Symptomatic relief of an upset stomach associated with hyperacidity, as well as
the hyperacidity associated with peptic ulcer, gastritis, peptic esophagitis, gastric
hyperacidity, and hiatal hernia.
4. Antacids Contraindications and Cautions: The following are
contraindications and cautions when using antacids:
Allergy. The antacids are contraindicated in the presence of any known allergy to
antacid products or any component of the drug to prevent hypersensitivity reactions.
Co-morbidities. Caution should be used in the following instances: any condition
that can be exacerbated by electrolyte or acid-based imbalance to prevent
exacerbations and serious adverse effects; any electrolyte imbalance , which could
be exacerbated by the electrolyte-changing effects of these drugs; GI obstruction
which could cause systemic absorption of the drugs and increase adverse effects;
renal dysfunction, which could lead to electrolyte disturbance if any absorbed
antacid is neutralized properly.
, Relias Assessments Assistance Material RN Pharmacology
Pregnancy and lactation. Antacids are contraindicated for pregnant and lactating
women because of the potential for adverse effects on the fetus or neonate.
5. Histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonists: Histamine-2 (H2) receptor
antagonists block the release of acid in response to gastrin or parasympathetic
release.
6. H2 blockers Therapeutic actions: The desired actions of H2 antagonists
include the following:
Selectively block H2 receptors located on the parietal cells.
Prevents the release of gastrin, a hormone that causes local release of histamine
(due to stimulation of histamine receptors), ultimately blocking the production of
hydrochloric acid.
Decreases pepsin production by the chief cells.
7. Proton Pump Inhibitors: The gastric acid pump or proton pump inhibitors
suppress gastric acid secretion by specifically inhibiting the hydrogen-potassium
adenosine triphosphate enzyme system on the secretory surface of the gastric
parietal cells.
8. What are Proton Pump Inhibitors?: Proton pump inhibitors suppress the
secretion of hydrochloric acid into the lumen of the stomach.
9. PPI Nursing Assessment: Assess for possible contraindications and
cautions: history of allergy to a proton pump inhibitor to reduce the risk of
hypersensitivity reaction and current status of pregnancy or lactation because of the
potential for adverse effects on the fetus or nursing baby.
Perform a physical examination to establish baseline data before beginning therapy
to determine the effectiveness of the therapy and to evaluate for the occurrence of
any adverse effects associated with drug therapy.
1. Antacids: Antacids are used to chemically react with and neutralize the acid
in the stomach. They can provide rapid relief from increased acid levels. They are
known to cause GI alterations such as diarrhea or constipation and can alter the
absorption of many drugs.
2. What are antacids?: Antacids are a group of inorganic chemicals that
neutralize stomach acid.
Antacids are available OTC, and many patients use them to self-treat a variety of
GI symptoms.
The choice of an antacid depends on adverse effects and absorption factors.
3. Antacids Therapeutic actions: The desired actions of antacids include the
following:
Neutralize stomach acid by direct chemical reaction.
Symptomatic relief of an upset stomach associated with hyperacidity, as well as
the hyperacidity associated with peptic ulcer, gastritis, peptic esophagitis, gastric
hyperacidity, and hiatal hernia.
4. Antacids Contraindications and Cautions: The following are
contraindications and cautions when using antacids:
Allergy. The antacids are contraindicated in the presence of any known allergy to
antacid products or any component of the drug to prevent hypersensitivity reactions.
Co-morbidities. Caution should be used in the following instances: any condition
that can be exacerbated by electrolyte or acid-based imbalance to prevent
exacerbations and serious adverse effects; any electrolyte imbalance , which could
be exacerbated by the electrolyte-changing effects of these drugs; GI obstruction
which could cause systemic absorption of the drugs and increase adverse effects;
renal dysfunction, which could lead to electrolyte disturbance if any absorbed
antacid is neutralized properly.
, Relias Assessments Assistance Material RN Pharmacology
Pregnancy and lactation. Antacids are contraindicated for pregnant and lactating
women because of the potential for adverse effects on the fetus or neonate.
5. Histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonists: Histamine-2 (H2) receptor
antagonists block the release of acid in response to gastrin or parasympathetic
release.
6. H2 blockers Therapeutic actions: The desired actions of H2 antagonists
include the following:
Selectively block H2 receptors located on the parietal cells.
Prevents the release of gastrin, a hormone that causes local release of histamine
(due to stimulation of histamine receptors), ultimately blocking the production of
hydrochloric acid.
Decreases pepsin production by the chief cells.
7. Proton Pump Inhibitors: The gastric acid pump or proton pump inhibitors
suppress gastric acid secretion by specifically inhibiting the hydrogen-potassium
adenosine triphosphate enzyme system on the secretory surface of the gastric
parietal cells.
8. What are Proton Pump Inhibitors?: Proton pump inhibitors suppress the
secretion of hydrochloric acid into the lumen of the stomach.
9. PPI Nursing Assessment: Assess for possible contraindications and
cautions: history of allergy to a proton pump inhibitor to reduce the risk of
hypersensitivity reaction and current status of pregnancy or lactation because of the
potential for adverse effects on the fetus or nursing baby.
Perform a physical examination to establish baseline data before beginning therapy
to determine the effectiveness of the therapy and to evaluate for the occurrence of
any adverse effects associated with drug therapy.
