Top 50 Drugs – Nursing
2026 | Brand & Generic
Medications, Drug
Classes, Uses, Side
Effects & Exam Review
| Complete Ethics Study
Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, Albuterol Aerosol 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
-- Monitor for fluid retention, hyperglycemia, infections, bleeding, steady weight
gain, crackles, dyspnea. Do not D/C abruptly. Monitor serum electrolytes,
cholesterol/lipids. avoid people w/contagious illnesses, TAKE WITH FOOD
2026 | Brand & Generic
Medications, Drug
Classes, Uses, Side
Effects & Exam Review
| Complete Ethics Study
Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, Albuterol Aerosol 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
-- Monitor for fluid retention, hyperglycemia, infections, bleeding, steady weight
gain, crackles, dyspnea. Do not D/C abruptly. Monitor serum electrolytes,
cholesterol/lipids. avoid people w/contagious illnesses, TAKE WITH FOOD
