Nursing Pharmacology 2026 |
Comprehensive Study Guide, Drug
Classes, Practice Questions, Answers &
NCLEX Review |
Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,Heart failure meds (Diuretics) hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, spironolactone
(Cardiac glycosides/Na-K ATPase inhibitors) digoxin
CAD Meds atorvastatin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors = antilipemic)
Nitroglycerin + isosorbide (nitrates = antianginals)
Cardiac dysrhythmias meds Amiodarone (K-channel blocker)
Captopril Tx HTN
ACE inhibitor
PO only, give before meals (food lower abs'n)
Side effects : dry cough, hyperkalemia, neutropenia,
Contra: category D,
Losartan ARB
Tx HTN
PO only
S.Eff: angioedema (give IV epi), headache, insomnia, severe hypotension
Atenolol Beta blocker = sympatholytic
Tx HTN
PO + IV best taken before meals/bed; taper dose
S.E: bradycardia (beta1), reduce CO, angina, MI, heart failure
Contra: cardiogenic shock
Metoprolol Beta blocker (sympatholytic) for HTN
PO or IV; taper dose
Abs'n enhanced w/ food
S.E: bradycardia (beta1), reduce CO, angina, MI, heart failure
Contra: cardiogenic shock
Nifedipine Ca-channel blocker
Tx HTN
PO only
Give + beta blocker to prevent tachycardia (but incr risk of heart failure)
S.E: vasodilation (feet leg face), hypotension, gingival hyperplasia
Digoxin Cardiac glycoside=open Ca channels (ionotropic=incr contractile force) + inhibit Na-
K ATPase pump (decr impulse= decr HR)
PO or IV
S.E: GI (monitor for vomiting=hypoK) +CNS symptoms + dysrhythmia (from hyperK)
Overdose antidote: digoxin immune FAB (digibind)
Precaution: incr risk for toxicity in hypokalemic pt (low K competing on
ATPase=digoxin toxicity)
Clonidine Centrally acting alpha2 agonist = sympatholytic
Tx HTN
PO : before bedtime
Patch: change every 7 day, rotate sites
S.E: CNS effects, dry mouth, HTN crisis (need to taper doses)
Amiodarone K-channel blocker
Tx dysrhythmia
PO: same time every day
IV via Central line
S.E: GI symptoms, pneumonitis, optic neuropathy, blurred vision, bradycardia,
hypotension, CNS eff, blue-grey skin
Contra: cat. D, severe hepatic dz
Interactions: amio incr levels of phenytoin, digoxin, warfarin, statins
, Atorvastatin HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors = antilipemic (decr LDL + triglycerides)
PO only; take w/ food for better abs'n
S.E: myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, liver toxicity (jaundice, yellow sclera)
Contra: cat. X, liver/renal dz, MS
Interactions: concurrent use of other cholesterol-lowering drug = myopathy + liver
toxicity, + warfarin= incr risk for bleeding
Furosemide Loop diuretic
Tx heart failure, edema, HTN (not controlled by other diuretics)
PO w/ food (store in fridge); can give IM
IV undiluted; give slowly (prevent ototoxicity)
Protect all forms from light
S.E: hypo-Na, Cl,K + deH2O'n + hypotension+ototoxicity+hyperglycemia, incr uric
acid (in susceptible pts w/ gout)
Contra: (pre)eclampsia
Interactions: NSAIDs can decr diuretic effect
Nitroglycerin/isosorbide Nitrates = antianginal
Tx angina assoc'd w/ CAD
SL (rapid effect), PO, transdermal patches, IVn taper doses
S.E: headache, orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, quick tolerance devlt
Contra: severe anemia, GI dz
Interaction: +viagra= severe hypotension
Spironolactone K-sparing diuretic by blocking aldosterone (No Na reabs'n = Na loss in urine instead
of K)
Tx heart failure, HTN
PO with food to incr abs'n
S.E: hyperK (dysrhythmia), menstrual irregularities, abnormal hair growth, deep
voice in women, breast growth in men
Contra: cat. D, renal dz, hyperkalemia
Interaction: may be combine with thiazide to maintain [K+]; +ACEI/ARB/Kc
supplement = incr risk of hyperK
Precautions: liver dz, incr [BUN]
Hydrochlorothiazide Thiazide diuretic = inhibit Na/Cl symporter at kidney DCT (lower blood volume +
CO)
Tx heart failure, HTN, liver cirrhosis, renal failure
PO w/ food bf 3pm (prevent nocturia + sleep loss)
S.E: hypo-Na/Cl/K + deH2O'n + hyperglycemia (esp in diabetics) + incr uric acid (in
susceptible pts)
Heparin/enoxaparin Inhibitors of Factor Xa + thrombin/factor Xa only
Anticoag
SubQ or IV
S.E: hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, hypersensitivity, hematoma
Antidote: protamine for hep overdose; lepirudin for platelet <100,000/mm3
Interactions: incr bleeding=NSAIDs, herbal ginger, gingko
Decr anticoag'n w/ IV niroglycerin
Warfarin Inhibit vitamin K
Anticoag'n
PO; 3-5 days for full t. effect
S.E: hemorrhage, toxicity
Antidote: IV vit. K (if unsuccessful, give plasma/blood)
Contra: cat. X, thrombocytopenia, liver dz,
Precaution: hemophilia, severe liver/kidney dz
Many interactions
Clopidogrel Inhibit ADP-R on platelets = no platelet aggregation = no clot
PO daily
S.E: GI (bleeding, abd'l pain, diarrhea, dark-colored stool), hemorrhage, thrombotic
thrombocytopenic purpura (bruising, petechiae)
Interactions: proton pump inhibitors reduce effects
Comprehensive Study Guide, Drug
Classes, Practice Questions, Answers &
NCLEX Review |
Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,Heart failure meds (Diuretics) hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, spironolactone
(Cardiac glycosides/Na-K ATPase inhibitors) digoxin
CAD Meds atorvastatin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors = antilipemic)
Nitroglycerin + isosorbide (nitrates = antianginals)
Cardiac dysrhythmias meds Amiodarone (K-channel blocker)
Captopril Tx HTN
ACE inhibitor
PO only, give before meals (food lower abs'n)
Side effects : dry cough, hyperkalemia, neutropenia,
Contra: category D,
Losartan ARB
Tx HTN
PO only
S.Eff: angioedema (give IV epi), headache, insomnia, severe hypotension
Atenolol Beta blocker = sympatholytic
Tx HTN
PO + IV best taken before meals/bed; taper dose
S.E: bradycardia (beta1), reduce CO, angina, MI, heart failure
Contra: cardiogenic shock
Metoprolol Beta blocker (sympatholytic) for HTN
PO or IV; taper dose
Abs'n enhanced w/ food
S.E: bradycardia (beta1), reduce CO, angina, MI, heart failure
Contra: cardiogenic shock
Nifedipine Ca-channel blocker
Tx HTN
PO only
Give + beta blocker to prevent tachycardia (but incr risk of heart failure)
S.E: vasodilation (feet leg face), hypotension, gingival hyperplasia
Digoxin Cardiac glycoside=open Ca channels (ionotropic=incr contractile force) + inhibit Na-
K ATPase pump (decr impulse= decr HR)
PO or IV
S.E: GI (monitor for vomiting=hypoK) +CNS symptoms + dysrhythmia (from hyperK)
Overdose antidote: digoxin immune FAB (digibind)
Precaution: incr risk for toxicity in hypokalemic pt (low K competing on
ATPase=digoxin toxicity)
Clonidine Centrally acting alpha2 agonist = sympatholytic
Tx HTN
PO : before bedtime
Patch: change every 7 day, rotate sites
S.E: CNS effects, dry mouth, HTN crisis (need to taper doses)
Amiodarone K-channel blocker
Tx dysrhythmia
PO: same time every day
IV via Central line
S.E: GI symptoms, pneumonitis, optic neuropathy, blurred vision, bradycardia,
hypotension, CNS eff, blue-grey skin
Contra: cat. D, severe hepatic dz
Interactions: amio incr levels of phenytoin, digoxin, warfarin, statins
, Atorvastatin HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors = antilipemic (decr LDL + triglycerides)
PO only; take w/ food for better abs'n
S.E: myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, liver toxicity (jaundice, yellow sclera)
Contra: cat. X, liver/renal dz, MS
Interactions: concurrent use of other cholesterol-lowering drug = myopathy + liver
toxicity, + warfarin= incr risk for bleeding
Furosemide Loop diuretic
Tx heart failure, edema, HTN (not controlled by other diuretics)
PO w/ food (store in fridge); can give IM
IV undiluted; give slowly (prevent ototoxicity)
Protect all forms from light
S.E: hypo-Na, Cl,K + deH2O'n + hypotension+ototoxicity+hyperglycemia, incr uric
acid (in susceptible pts w/ gout)
Contra: (pre)eclampsia
Interactions: NSAIDs can decr diuretic effect
Nitroglycerin/isosorbide Nitrates = antianginal
Tx angina assoc'd w/ CAD
SL (rapid effect), PO, transdermal patches, IVn taper doses
S.E: headache, orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, quick tolerance devlt
Contra: severe anemia, GI dz
Interaction: +viagra= severe hypotension
Spironolactone K-sparing diuretic by blocking aldosterone (No Na reabs'n = Na loss in urine instead
of K)
Tx heart failure, HTN
PO with food to incr abs'n
S.E: hyperK (dysrhythmia), menstrual irregularities, abnormal hair growth, deep
voice in women, breast growth in men
Contra: cat. D, renal dz, hyperkalemia
Interaction: may be combine with thiazide to maintain [K+]; +ACEI/ARB/Kc
supplement = incr risk of hyperK
Precautions: liver dz, incr [BUN]
Hydrochlorothiazide Thiazide diuretic = inhibit Na/Cl symporter at kidney DCT (lower blood volume +
CO)
Tx heart failure, HTN, liver cirrhosis, renal failure
PO w/ food bf 3pm (prevent nocturia + sleep loss)
S.E: hypo-Na/Cl/K + deH2O'n + hyperglycemia (esp in diabetics) + incr uric acid (in
susceptible pts)
Heparin/enoxaparin Inhibitors of Factor Xa + thrombin/factor Xa only
Anticoag
SubQ or IV
S.E: hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, hypersensitivity, hematoma
Antidote: protamine for hep overdose; lepirudin for platelet <100,000/mm3
Interactions: incr bleeding=NSAIDs, herbal ginger, gingko
Decr anticoag'n w/ IV niroglycerin
Warfarin Inhibit vitamin K
Anticoag'n
PO; 3-5 days for full t. effect
S.E: hemorrhage, toxicity
Antidote: IV vit. K (if unsuccessful, give plasma/blood)
Contra: cat. X, thrombocytopenia, liver dz,
Precaution: hemophilia, severe liver/kidney dz
Many interactions
Clopidogrel Inhibit ADP-R on platelets = no platelet aggregation = no clot
PO daily
S.E: GI (bleeding, abd'l pain, diarrhea, dark-colored stool), hemorrhage, thrombotic
thrombocytopenic purpura (bruising, petechiae)
Interactions: proton pump inhibitors reduce effects
