Drug Classifications Pharm ATI Top 50 Drugs
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
Albuterol Aerosol
Bronchodilator Beta 2 agonist
Therapeutic Effects: Bronchodilation for asthma, COPD, acute bronchospasm
A/R: 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.
Zolpidem (Ambien)
Sedative / hypnotic
Therapeutic Effects: Sedation and induction of sleep
A/R: 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
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Antianxiety Sedative / hypnotic. Benzodiazepine.
1
, Drug Classifications Pharm ATI Top 50 Drugs
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
Therapeutic Effects:Management of anxiety, insomnia, Status Epilepticus. Preoperative sedation.
Postoperative amnesia
A/R: Dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, APNEA, CARDIAC ARREST with rapid IVP
Assess anxiety, mental status,. Avoid ETOH & other CNS depressants
Rosiglitazone
Classification: Antidiabetic. Thiazolidinediones
Therapeutic Effects: Decrease insulin resistance
A/R: Edema, anemia, wt gain, increased cholesterol
Monitor for fluid retention, hypoglycemia. Check PLFTs & CBC High Alert Medication!
Diltiazem
Antianginal, antiarrhythimics, antihypertensive. (CA++ channel blocker)
Therapeutic Effects: Decreased blood pressure. Coronary vasodilation.
A/R: Arrhythmias. CHF. Peripheral edema, Postural hypotension
2
, Drug Classifications Pharm ATI Top 50 Drugs
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
Assess for signs of CHF. Monitor BP &P, notify < 50 bpm. May cause drowsiness of dizziness.
Avoid driving until response to medication is known. Gingival hyperplasia- teach good oral care
Celecoxib
NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitor
Therapeutic Effects: Analgesic, anti- inflammatory, & anti- pyretic
A/R: 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.
Losartan
Classification: Angiotensin II receptor blocker
Therapeutic Effects: Antihypertensive. Decreases risk of stroke.
A/R & S/E:
Orthostatic hypotension, diarrhea. Dizziness, ANGIOEDEMA. Use cautiously in CHF
Nursing Implications & teaching: Assess orthostatic blood pressures. Use care when changing
positions to prevent orthostatic hypotension. Monitor BUN/Creatinine for possible early renal
failure.
3
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
Albuterol Aerosol
Bronchodilator Beta 2 agonist
Therapeutic Effects: Bronchodilation for asthma, COPD, acute bronchospasm
A/R: 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.
Zolpidem (Ambien)
Sedative / hypnotic
Therapeutic Effects: Sedation and induction of sleep
A/R: 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
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Antianxiety Sedative / hypnotic. Benzodiazepine.
1
, Drug Classifications Pharm ATI Top 50 Drugs
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
Therapeutic Effects:Management of anxiety, insomnia, Status Epilepticus. Preoperative sedation.
Postoperative amnesia
A/R: Dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, APNEA, CARDIAC ARREST with rapid IVP
Assess anxiety, mental status,. Avoid ETOH & other CNS depressants
Rosiglitazone
Classification: Antidiabetic. Thiazolidinediones
Therapeutic Effects: Decrease insulin resistance
A/R: Edema, anemia, wt gain, increased cholesterol
Monitor for fluid retention, hypoglycemia. Check PLFTs & CBC High Alert Medication!
Diltiazem
Antianginal, antiarrhythimics, antihypertensive. (CA++ channel blocker)
Therapeutic Effects: Decreased blood pressure. Coronary vasodilation.
A/R: Arrhythmias. CHF. Peripheral edema, Postural hypotension
2
, Drug Classifications Pharm ATI Top 50 Drugs
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
Assess for signs of CHF. Monitor BP &P, notify < 50 bpm. May cause drowsiness of dizziness.
Avoid driving until response to medication is known. Gingival hyperplasia- teach good oral care
Celecoxib
NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitor
Therapeutic Effects: Analgesic, anti- inflammatory, & anti- pyretic
A/R: 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.
Losartan
Classification: Angiotensin II receptor blocker
Therapeutic Effects: Antihypertensive. Decreases risk of stroke.
A/R & S/E:
Orthostatic hypotension, diarrhea. Dizziness, ANGIOEDEMA. Use cautiously in CHF
Nursing Implications & teaching: Assess orthostatic blood pressures. Use care when changing
positions to prevent orthostatic hypotension. Monitor BUN/Creatinine for possible early renal
failure.
3
