RN Pharmacology Flashcards

Pharmacology Study Notes

• Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist: Montelukast is the medication used to block leukotriene receptors.

• Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Safety: Patients should take extra care when standing or changing positions due to potential orthostatic hypotension.

• Medication Dosage Calculation: For a 250mg dose when only 100mg tablets are available, administer 2.5 tablets (rounded appropriately).

• Potassium-Sparing Diuretic: Spironolactone (Aldactone) is classified as a potassium-sparing diuretic.

• Red Man Syndrome: Observed with IV vancomycin, symptoms include facial flushing and itching, likely due to rapid infusion.

• Drug Interaction Warning: Nitroglycerin should be avoided in patients taking sildenafil (Viagra) due to serious hypotension risks.

• Hypoglycemia Management: For a capillary blood glucose of 33 mg/dL and inability to take oral intake, administer dextrose 50% IV push.

• Medication Order Clarity: Always spell out units and avoid abbreviations in medication orders to enhance safety.

• Warfarin Education: Patients should be informed that aspirin is not a safe alternative pain relief option due to increased bleeding risk.

• Penicillin Allergy: Ceftriaxone should be questioned for a patient with a known penicillin allergy.

• Heparin Infusion Calculation: For a patient weighing 75 kg at a rate of 18 units/kg/hr, a starting rate of 27 mL/hr is needed from a 500 mL bag containing 25,000 units.

• Medication Dosage Calculation for Injection: For 0.5 mg/kg of a medication supplied in a 10 mg/mL solution for a 40 kg patient, administer 2 mL.

• Hypoparathyroidism Treatment: Calcitonin may be used for a patient with a serum calcium level of 13 mg/dL.

• Contraindicated Drug: Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is contraindicated in patients with a known gastrointestinal bleed.

• Nitrofurantoin Education: Advise patients to wash their mouths after taking nitrofurantoin to prevent tooth staining.

• PPI Education: Patients should not take Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) concurrently with other medications.

• CHF Management: A patient with CHF and high potassium levels (5.8) should not receive amiloride.

• Dietary Recommendations: For a patient on Lasix 80 mg twice daily, avoid recommending potassium-containing foods like tofu, red meat, and beans.

• Nausea Treatment Questioning: Famotidine should be questioned for treating nausea and vomiting.

• Allergic Reaction Management: For itching and hives after an IV medication, administer PRN IV diphenhydramine and notify the physician.

• Medication Refusal Protocol: Document a patient’s refusal of IV medication and notify the physician.

• Elixir Measurement: 1 tsp of elixir is equivalent to approximately 5 mL.

• CLABSI Prevention: Employ correct sterile technique for patients receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) through a central line.

• Sublingual Medication Administration: If a patient has an NG tube, administer sublingual medications as ordered.

• Corticosteroid Inhaler Education: Remind patients to rinse their mouths after using corticosteroid inhalers to prevent oral thrush.

• Medication Incompatibility: Diazepam should not be mixed with Lactated Ringer's solution.

• Dysrhythmia Treatment: Diltiazem may be prescribed for new onset dysrhythmia.

• Dietary Restrictions for Cyclosporine: Advise patients on cyclosporine to avoid high potassium foods, such as raisins.

• Pain Management Order Questioning: Eplerenone should be questioned in a patient being treated for post-operative pain.

• Dexamethasone IV Push Calculation: For a 4 mg order with a supply of 10 mg/mL, administer 0.4 mL.

• Morphine PCA Education: Explain that a small dose is delivered only when the trigger button is pushed to alleviate fears of overdose.

• Hypoglycemia Symptoms: Patients with diabetes should recognize signs of hypoglycemia, including sweating, shaking, and nervousness.

• Acid Reflux Treatment: PPIs are expected for treatment of acid reflux.

• Initial Action for BP Change: For a patient with changing blood pressure receiving an epidural, avoid asking for a pain rating first; assess the patient’s condition first.

• Digoxin Administration Protocol: If heart rate is below 60 bpm, hold digoxin and contact the physician.

• Red Man Syndrome Cause: Increased histamine production is the primary cause of Red Man syndrome.

• Blood Transfusion Preparation: Normal saline (NS) is the preferred isotonic solution for preparing blood transfusions.

• Skin Test Reference for TB: An induration of 10mm or more on a Mantoux test needs further diagnostic testing, especially in low-risk individuals.

• Patient Identification Protocol: Confirm that patients state their name and date of birth, matching them with the Medication Administration Record (MAR) and wristband.

• Narcotic Overdose Treatment: Administer Narcan if a patient on morphine PCA is unresponsive, suggesting potential overdose.

• Levothyroxine Administration Advice: Correct administration advice includes taking it consistently, but not necessarily at the same time daily.

• IV Fluid Calculation: For an order of 1000 mL of NS to be infused over 6 hours, the rate is approximately 166.67 mL/hr.

• Microgram to Milligram Conversion: 125 mcg is equivalent to 0.125 mg.

• Medication Dosage Calculation: For a patient weighing 80 kg requiring 5 mg/kg of medication, the total dose is 400 mg.

• Digoxin Administration Assessment: Always check the apical heart rate before administering digoxin.

• Heparin Antidote: Protamine sulfate acts as the primary antidote for heparin.

• Lasix Administration Calculation: For 50 mg of Lasix with a concentration of 20 mg/mL, the dosage to administer is 2.5 mL.

• Migraine Treatment Identification: Rizatriptan is indicated for migraine treatment.

• OTC Medication Awareness: Patients frequently taking Tylenol should monitor the labels of OTC drugs to avoid unintentional overdose.

• Antiplatelet Medication: Clopidogrel is recognized as an antiplatelet medication.

• Atropine Administration Calculation: For atropine sulfate 0.6 mg IM with a concentration of 0.8 mg/mL, administer 0.75 mL.