lOMoARcPSD|17706574
Nursing Pharm One System Per Page with Side Effects
Medical Dosage Calculations and Pharmacology (Western Governors University)
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, lOMoARcPSD|17706574
Nursing Pharmacology — One System Per Page (Complete Study
Sheets)
Cardiovascular
Beta-blockers (-olol)
Common Examples metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol
What it Does (Mechanism) Block stress signals (β1/β2) so the heart slows and squeezes softer.
Main Conditions Treated High BP, angina, arrhythmias, heart failure, post-MI.
Key Adverse Effects Bradycardia, hypotension, fatigue, depression; bronchospasm (non-selective).
Contraindications / Precautions Asthma/COPD (non-selective), heart block, acute decomp HF; caution in diabetes (masks hypoglycemia).
Monitoring & Labs HR/BP, signs of HF; in HF start low & go slow.
Major Interactions Other BP/HR-lowering meds; non-DHP CCBs ↑ bradycardia risk.
Antidote / Reversal Glucagon for severe β-blocker overdose; atropine for bradycardia.
Nursing Teaching Do not stop suddenly; check pulse/BP; report wheeze or dizziness.
Mnemonic / Pearl “LOL slows the heart.”
ACE Inhibitors (-pril)
Common Examples lisinopril, enalapril, captopril
What it Does (Mechanism) Block ACE so vessels relax and kidneys are protected.
Main Conditions Treated High BP, heart failure; kidney protection in diabetes.
Key Adverse Effects Dry cough, ↑K⁺, dizziness; rare angioedema.
Contraindications / Precautions Pregnancy, bilateral renal artery stenosis; caution with high K⁺.
Monitoring & Labs BP, kidney function (Cr), potassium.
Major Interactions K⁺ supplements/spironolactone ↑ K⁺; NSAIDs ↓ effect.
Antidote / Reversal Supportive (secure airway for angioedema).
Nursing Teaching Rise slowly; avoid K⁺ salt substitutes; report lip/tongue swelling.
Mnemonic / Pearl “PRIL = drop the pressure.”
ARBs (-sartan)
Common Examples losartan, valsartan
What it Does (Mechanism) Block angiotensin II so vessels stay relaxed.
Main Conditions Treated High BP, heart failure; ACE-cough alternative.
Key Adverse Effects ↑K⁺, dizziness (no cough).
Contraindications / Precautions Pregnancy; caution renal artery stenosis, hyperkalemia.
Monitoring & Labs BP, kidney function, potassium.
Major Interactions K⁺-sparing diuretics/supplements increase K⁺.
Antidote / Reversal Supportive.
Nursing Teaching Avoid in pregnancy; monitor BP/K⁺.
Mnemonic / Pearl “SARTAN sits on angiotensin.”
, lOMoARcPSD|17706574
Calcium Channel Blockers (-dipine (DHP) • diltiazem/verapamil (non-DHP))
Common Examples amlodipine, nifedipine; diltiazem, verapamil
What it Does (Mechanism) Block calcium entry → relax vessels; some slow the SA/AV node.
Main Conditions Treated High BP, angina; non-DHPs for rate control in arrhythmias.
Key Adverse Effects Hypotension, edema; constipation (verapamil); bradycardia/AV block (non-DHP).
Contraindications / Precautions Heart block/HFrEF for non-DHP; severe hypotension.
Monitoring & Labs BP/HR, edema, bowel pattern.
Major Interactions Grapefruit ↑ levels; with β-blockers ↑ bradycardia (non-DHP).
Antidote / Reversal Calcium, vasopressors for OD; pacing if severe brady.
Nursing Teaching Avoid grapefruit; increase fiber; check BP/HR.
Mnemonic / Pearl “No Ca²⁺, no squeeze.”
Diuretics—Loop ((-ide))
Common Examples furosemide, bumetanide
What it Does (Mechanism) Dump salt and water fast → more urine, less fluid.
Main Conditions Treated Edema (HF), high BP, hyperkalemia (adjunct).
Key Adverse Effects Low K⁺/Mg²⁺, dehydration, hypotension; ototoxicity (high IV dose).
Contraindications / Precautions Severe dehydration, sulfa allergy (relative).
Monitoring & Labs Electrolytes (K⁺/Mg²⁺), I&O, weight, BP.
Major Interactions Other BP-lowering meds; digoxin toxicity ↑ with low K⁺.
Antidote / Reversal Supportive; correct electrolytes.
Nursing Teaching Take in the morning; eat K⁺ foods; stand up slowly.
Mnemonic / Pearl “LOOP → LOts Of Pee.”
Diuretics—Thiazide (-thiazide)
Common Examples hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone
What it Does (Mechanism) Block salt re-uptake (distal tubule) → gentle diuresis.
Main Conditions Treated High BP, mild edema.
Key Adverse Effects Low K⁺/Na⁺, dehydration; ↑glucose/uric acid.
Contraindications / Precautions Gout caution; sulfa allergy (relative).
Monitoring & Labs K⁺/Na⁺, BP, glucose, uric acid.
Major Interactions ↓ lithium clearance; adds to antihypertensives.
Antidote / Reversal Supportive.
Nursing Teaching AM dosing; monitor K⁺; watch sugars in diabetes.
Mnemonic / Pearl “THIAZIDE trims the pressure.”
K⁺-sparing (Aldosterone blockers) ((spironolactone/eplerenone))
Common Examples spironolactone, eplerenone
What it Does (Mechanism) Block aldosterone → keep K⁺, lose water.
Main Conditions Treated HF, high BP, hyperaldosteronism; acne/hirsutism (off-label).
Key Adverse Effects High K⁺, gynecomastia (spirono).
Contraindications / Precautions Hyperkalemia, severe kidney disease.
Monitoring & Labs K⁺, kidney function, BP.
Major Interactions K⁺ supplements/ACE/ARB ↑ K⁺.
Antidote / Reversal Supportive; treat hyperkalemia.
Nursing Teaching Avoid K⁺ salt substitutes; report palpitations.
Nursing Pharm One System Per Page with Side Effects
Medical Dosage Calculations and Pharmacology (Western Governors University)
Scan to open on Studocu
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by Nicholas Marks ()
, lOMoARcPSD|17706574
Nursing Pharmacology — One System Per Page (Complete Study
Sheets)
Cardiovascular
Beta-blockers (-olol)
Common Examples metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol
What it Does (Mechanism) Block stress signals (β1/β2) so the heart slows and squeezes softer.
Main Conditions Treated High BP, angina, arrhythmias, heart failure, post-MI.
Key Adverse Effects Bradycardia, hypotension, fatigue, depression; bronchospasm (non-selective).
Contraindications / Precautions Asthma/COPD (non-selective), heart block, acute decomp HF; caution in diabetes (masks hypoglycemia).
Monitoring & Labs HR/BP, signs of HF; in HF start low & go slow.
Major Interactions Other BP/HR-lowering meds; non-DHP CCBs ↑ bradycardia risk.
Antidote / Reversal Glucagon for severe β-blocker overdose; atropine for bradycardia.
Nursing Teaching Do not stop suddenly; check pulse/BP; report wheeze or dizziness.
Mnemonic / Pearl “LOL slows the heart.”
ACE Inhibitors (-pril)
Common Examples lisinopril, enalapril, captopril
What it Does (Mechanism) Block ACE so vessels relax and kidneys are protected.
Main Conditions Treated High BP, heart failure; kidney protection in diabetes.
Key Adverse Effects Dry cough, ↑K⁺, dizziness; rare angioedema.
Contraindications / Precautions Pregnancy, bilateral renal artery stenosis; caution with high K⁺.
Monitoring & Labs BP, kidney function (Cr), potassium.
Major Interactions K⁺ supplements/spironolactone ↑ K⁺; NSAIDs ↓ effect.
Antidote / Reversal Supportive (secure airway for angioedema).
Nursing Teaching Rise slowly; avoid K⁺ salt substitutes; report lip/tongue swelling.
Mnemonic / Pearl “PRIL = drop the pressure.”
ARBs (-sartan)
Common Examples losartan, valsartan
What it Does (Mechanism) Block angiotensin II so vessels stay relaxed.
Main Conditions Treated High BP, heart failure; ACE-cough alternative.
Key Adverse Effects ↑K⁺, dizziness (no cough).
Contraindications / Precautions Pregnancy; caution renal artery stenosis, hyperkalemia.
Monitoring & Labs BP, kidney function, potassium.
Major Interactions K⁺-sparing diuretics/supplements increase K⁺.
Antidote / Reversal Supportive.
Nursing Teaching Avoid in pregnancy; monitor BP/K⁺.
Mnemonic / Pearl “SARTAN sits on angiotensin.”
, lOMoARcPSD|17706574
Calcium Channel Blockers (-dipine (DHP) • diltiazem/verapamil (non-DHP))
Common Examples amlodipine, nifedipine; diltiazem, verapamil
What it Does (Mechanism) Block calcium entry → relax vessels; some slow the SA/AV node.
Main Conditions Treated High BP, angina; non-DHPs for rate control in arrhythmias.
Key Adverse Effects Hypotension, edema; constipation (verapamil); bradycardia/AV block (non-DHP).
Contraindications / Precautions Heart block/HFrEF for non-DHP; severe hypotension.
Monitoring & Labs BP/HR, edema, bowel pattern.
Major Interactions Grapefruit ↑ levels; with β-blockers ↑ bradycardia (non-DHP).
Antidote / Reversal Calcium, vasopressors for OD; pacing if severe brady.
Nursing Teaching Avoid grapefruit; increase fiber; check BP/HR.
Mnemonic / Pearl “No Ca²⁺, no squeeze.”
Diuretics—Loop ((-ide))
Common Examples furosemide, bumetanide
What it Does (Mechanism) Dump salt and water fast → more urine, less fluid.
Main Conditions Treated Edema (HF), high BP, hyperkalemia (adjunct).
Key Adverse Effects Low K⁺/Mg²⁺, dehydration, hypotension; ototoxicity (high IV dose).
Contraindications / Precautions Severe dehydration, sulfa allergy (relative).
Monitoring & Labs Electrolytes (K⁺/Mg²⁺), I&O, weight, BP.
Major Interactions Other BP-lowering meds; digoxin toxicity ↑ with low K⁺.
Antidote / Reversal Supportive; correct electrolytes.
Nursing Teaching Take in the morning; eat K⁺ foods; stand up slowly.
Mnemonic / Pearl “LOOP → LOts Of Pee.”
Diuretics—Thiazide (-thiazide)
Common Examples hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone
What it Does (Mechanism) Block salt re-uptake (distal tubule) → gentle diuresis.
Main Conditions Treated High BP, mild edema.
Key Adverse Effects Low K⁺/Na⁺, dehydration; ↑glucose/uric acid.
Contraindications / Precautions Gout caution; sulfa allergy (relative).
Monitoring & Labs K⁺/Na⁺, BP, glucose, uric acid.
Major Interactions ↓ lithium clearance; adds to antihypertensives.
Antidote / Reversal Supportive.
Nursing Teaching AM dosing; monitor K⁺; watch sugars in diabetes.
Mnemonic / Pearl “THIAZIDE trims the pressure.”
K⁺-sparing (Aldosterone blockers) ((spironolactone/eplerenone))
Common Examples spironolactone, eplerenone
What it Does (Mechanism) Block aldosterone → keep K⁺, lose water.
Main Conditions Treated HF, high BP, hyperaldosteronism; acne/hirsutism (off-label).
Key Adverse Effects High K⁺, gynecomastia (spirono).
Contraindications / Precautions Hyperkalemia, severe kidney disease.
Monitoring & Labs K⁺, kidney function, BP.
Major Interactions K⁺ supplements/ACE/ARB ↑ K⁺.
Antidote / Reversal Supportive; treat hyperkalemia.
Nursing Teaching Avoid K⁺ salt substitutes; report palpitations.
