NUR 283 COMPREHENSIVE MEDICATIONS REVIEW: TERMS, 70 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS FOR COMPS 1–3 GRADED A+
BP meds ((lisinopril, metoprolol, valsartan, etc) - (answer)DANGLE patient on the side
of the bed before rising and to change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic
hypotension!
Epoetin Alfa - (answer)stimulates RBC production; used to treat anemia and on patient's
during chemotherapy; **increases Hgb as an expected result of the medication.
**MONITOR for signs of HTN, stroke, blood clots and myocardial infarction.(stroke)
Neupogen (filgrastim): - (answer)bone marrow stimulant produces WBC's WATCH for
INCREASE in WBC's example: 2.6 goes up to 6
Lithium discharge instructions: - (answer)lithium levels decrease and can be caused by
dehydration with long runs or strenuous exercise.
Monitor for Lithium toxicity 2.0 or greater
MUST MAINTAIN adequate sodium (normal range 135-145) and fluids 2-3L daily to
If patient requires 12 weeks of antibiotic therapy they will need a PICC line for infusions
DO NOT send an? - (answer)IV drug user home with PICC line!!
MDRO's (multi-drug resistant organisms:
MRSA: drugs to treat: vancomycin, rifampin
VRE: drugs to treat: penicillin, amoxicillin
ESBL: drugs to treat: Meropenem
1. Resistance occurs when a client receiving 2 medications (first-line and second-line
medications) discontinues 1 of the medications.
2. The client briefly experiences some response from the single medication but then
large numbers of resistant organisms begin to grow.
3. The client, infectious again, transmits the drug-resistant organism to other individuals.
4. As this event is repeated, an organism developsthat is resistant to many of the first-
line tuberculosis medications - (answer)
Transdermal patch patient teaching: - (answer)NEVER throw it away in a trash can! It
does not need to be covered while in the shower, DO NOT place over an abrasion or
bruise
Nitroglycerin - (answer)should be replaced after 3 months of storage, if patient reports
the nitro reduced their chest pain to a 3 they should take another pill
, Taken at the first sign of chest pain.
You may use nitroglycerin sublingual within 5 to 10 minutes before an activity you think
might cause chest pain.
Try to rest or stay seated when you take nitroglycerin (may cause dizziness or fainting)
headache is a common side effect
Hydrochlorothiazide (thiazide diuretic) potassium depleting - (answer)NOT for diabetics,
hypotension, syncope, SLE, Gout, ANY of THESE electrolyte imbalances:
hypercalcemia, hypochloremia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia, or
metabolic alkalosis. WATCH if patient has muscle cramps may need to hold.
Desmopressin for DI/diabetes insipidus, expected outcome with medication would be -
(answer)decreased UO from 500ml/hr down to 125 ml/hr
Gentamicin peak and trough: - (answer)PEAK 30 minutes after infusion; TROUGH right
before next medication administration
Tobramycin: - (answer)Adverse reactions: ototoxicity (hearing damage and loss of
balance); nephrotoxicity (cloudy/bloody urine)
Allopurinol: - (answer)treats Gout; patient teaching: you should increase fluid
intake;alsoigvenintumorlysissyndrome
Pyridostigmine: - (answer)(anticholinesterase drug) treats Myasthenia Gravis; prevents
breakdown of acetylcholine by enzymes in the neuromuscular junction which increases
muscle response improving strength; Give with food to minimize GI upset MUST EAT
45 minutes to an hour AFTER taking!!
Phenytoin: - (answer)treats seizures, bipolar disorder or other mood disorders and
trigeminal neuralgia; patient teaching: should perform good oral hygiene to prevent
gingival hyperplasia
Digoxin: - (answer)toxicity above 2.0 (normal levels: 0.5-2.0) patient WILL eat foods that
are potassium rich such as: potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, melon
MONITOR for nausea, weakness, bleeding blurry vision, bradycardia, dysrhythmias,
anorexia could indicate toxicity!
HOLD if pulse below 60!, & <100 in infants
antidote: Dig Immune FAB (Digibind)
Potassium sources - (answer)bananas
avocado
potatoes
cucumber
oranges
artichokes
mangoes
ANSWERS FOR COMPS 1–3 GRADED A+
BP meds ((lisinopril, metoprolol, valsartan, etc) - (answer)DANGLE patient on the side
of the bed before rising and to change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic
hypotension!
Epoetin Alfa - (answer)stimulates RBC production; used to treat anemia and on patient's
during chemotherapy; **increases Hgb as an expected result of the medication.
**MONITOR for signs of HTN, stroke, blood clots and myocardial infarction.(stroke)
Neupogen (filgrastim): - (answer)bone marrow stimulant produces WBC's WATCH for
INCREASE in WBC's example: 2.6 goes up to 6
Lithium discharge instructions: - (answer)lithium levels decrease and can be caused by
dehydration with long runs or strenuous exercise.
Monitor for Lithium toxicity 2.0 or greater
MUST MAINTAIN adequate sodium (normal range 135-145) and fluids 2-3L daily to
If patient requires 12 weeks of antibiotic therapy they will need a PICC line for infusions
DO NOT send an? - (answer)IV drug user home with PICC line!!
MDRO's (multi-drug resistant organisms:
MRSA: drugs to treat: vancomycin, rifampin
VRE: drugs to treat: penicillin, amoxicillin
ESBL: drugs to treat: Meropenem
1. Resistance occurs when a client receiving 2 medications (first-line and second-line
medications) discontinues 1 of the medications.
2. The client briefly experiences some response from the single medication but then
large numbers of resistant organisms begin to grow.
3. The client, infectious again, transmits the drug-resistant organism to other individuals.
4. As this event is repeated, an organism developsthat is resistant to many of the first-
line tuberculosis medications - (answer)
Transdermal patch patient teaching: - (answer)NEVER throw it away in a trash can! It
does not need to be covered while in the shower, DO NOT place over an abrasion or
bruise
Nitroglycerin - (answer)should be replaced after 3 months of storage, if patient reports
the nitro reduced their chest pain to a 3 they should take another pill
, Taken at the first sign of chest pain.
You may use nitroglycerin sublingual within 5 to 10 minutes before an activity you think
might cause chest pain.
Try to rest or stay seated when you take nitroglycerin (may cause dizziness or fainting)
headache is a common side effect
Hydrochlorothiazide (thiazide diuretic) potassium depleting - (answer)NOT for diabetics,
hypotension, syncope, SLE, Gout, ANY of THESE electrolyte imbalances:
hypercalcemia, hypochloremia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia, or
metabolic alkalosis. WATCH if patient has muscle cramps may need to hold.
Desmopressin for DI/diabetes insipidus, expected outcome with medication would be -
(answer)decreased UO from 500ml/hr down to 125 ml/hr
Gentamicin peak and trough: - (answer)PEAK 30 minutes after infusion; TROUGH right
before next medication administration
Tobramycin: - (answer)Adverse reactions: ototoxicity (hearing damage and loss of
balance); nephrotoxicity (cloudy/bloody urine)
Allopurinol: - (answer)treats Gout; patient teaching: you should increase fluid
intake;alsoigvenintumorlysissyndrome
Pyridostigmine: - (answer)(anticholinesterase drug) treats Myasthenia Gravis; prevents
breakdown of acetylcholine by enzymes in the neuromuscular junction which increases
muscle response improving strength; Give with food to minimize GI upset MUST EAT
45 minutes to an hour AFTER taking!!
Phenytoin: - (answer)treats seizures, bipolar disorder or other mood disorders and
trigeminal neuralgia; patient teaching: should perform good oral hygiene to prevent
gingival hyperplasia
Digoxin: - (answer)toxicity above 2.0 (normal levels: 0.5-2.0) patient WILL eat foods that
are potassium rich such as: potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, melon
MONITOR for nausea, weakness, bleeding blurry vision, bradycardia, dysrhythmias,
anorexia could indicate toxicity!
HOLD if pulse below 60!, & <100 in infants
antidote: Dig Immune FAB (Digibind)
Potassium sources - (answer)bananas
avocado
potatoes
cucumber
oranges
artichokes
mangoes
