Nursing Tips: Pharmacology

A patient with a Central Venous Catheter (CVC) should have the dressing changed 24 hours after insertion and weekly thereafter (or per facility policy) using sterile technique.

QD or Q.D. is an abbreviation meaning "daily." However, it is an error-prone abbreviation as it may be confused with QOD (every other day) or QID (four times a day). Instead, use the word "daily" when documenting.

Bethanechol, used to treat non-obstructive urinary retention, stimulates cholinergic receptors

Because atropine has anticholinergic side effects, it is often administered during surgery to decrease secretions.

A patient taking ethambutol for tuberculosis should be educated to have regular vision screenings and report changes in vision to the prescriber.

Because spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, monitor the patient for signs of hyperkalemia. Educate patients to avoid salt substitutes, as most of these contain potassium.

Adenosine (Adenocard) is a Class V antiarrhythmic medication used for supraventricular tachycardia.

Filgrastim is a medication used to stimulate the growth of neutrophils in patients with neutropenia.

Because oxybutynin is used to treat overactive bladder by inhibiting acetylcholine in the bladder, assess for anticholinergic symptoms. These include dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, and blurred vision.

Patients taking corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, hydrocortisone) are at increased risk of infection. Monitor for signs of infection, and educate patients taking these medications to avoid crowded areas and perform frequent hand hygiene.

Because of the unpleasant GI side effects of metformin, educate patients to take this medication with a meal.

Because hypokalemia increases a patient's risk of digoxin toxicity, be sure to closely monitor the potassium levels for patients taking digoxin!

Atropine is a medication that can be administered to patients with sinus bradycardia or heart block in order to increase heart rate.

Because ipratropium is an anticholinergic medication, educate patients that they should increase their fluid intake and suck on candy for dry mouth.

Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic used to treat pulmonary disorders with thick mucous secretions (e.g., cystic fibrosis). It is expected that this medication smells like rotten eggs; this is not an indication it has expired!

Acetylcysteine, a respiratory medication, is also used as an antidote for acetaminophen toxicity!

A patient taking oseltamivir to treat Influenza A and B must begin therapy within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic, can cause hepatotoxicity in high doses. 

A patient taking a strong iodine solution to treat hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis in preparation for thyroidectomy should be educated as to the symptoms of iodism (e.g., metallic taste, stomatitis, severe GI upset).

A key side effect of phenytoin (an anti-seizure medication) is gingival hyperplasia. Educate patients to maintain regular dental checkups.

Finasteride is an Androgen Inhibitor used to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and baldness.

Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) are common with Conventional Antipsychotics. Symptoms of EPS include: Dystonia, Parkinson's symptoms, Tardive dyskinesia, Akathisia.

Don't get TIPSY when taking your TB meds! Alcohol is contraindicated for these TB meds: Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol. All carry a risk for hepatotoxicity!

Don't confuse clozapine with clonidine! Clonidine is an antihypertensive. Clozapine is an antipsychotic.

Colchicine is a medication used to treat an acute gout attack.

ABCD = Antitussives include Benzonatate, Codeine, 
Dextromethorphan.

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat UTIs. A unique side effect of this medication is "achilles tendon rupture". HINT: If you take CIPRO, you might SLIP due to your achilles tendon rupturing.

Calcium channel blockers are Very Nice Drugs: Verapamil, Nifedipine, Diltiazem.

Beta 2 adrenergic agonists: Albuterol is SHORT-acting (for acute episodes) and Salmeterol is LONG-acting.

Antidiuretic hormones (ex: vasopressin and desmopressin) are used to treat Diabetes Insipidus.

Amphotericin B is only used for life-threatening fungal infections, because the side effects will "terrorize" your body.

These side effects include: hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and bone marrow suppression.

Calcium gluconate is used for emergency treatment of hyperkalemia and hypermagnesemia!

Acyclovir and Ganciclovir are antiviral medications. Both medications have a key side effect of nephrotoxicity. Ganciclovir can also cause bone marrow suppression (anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia).

Alendronate is a bisphosphonate used to treat osteoporosis. Key side effect is esophagitis. HINT: "Alen drones on and on about his esophagitis."

Iron supplements can cause dark green/black stools. This is expected and harmless.

Donepezil is a KEY medication used for Alzheimer's disease. It does NOT cure the disease, but it may improve memory, cognition, and an individual’s ability to perform ADLs.

ACE inhibitors typically end in -pril. Remember the key side effects.

Amitriptyline is a Tricyclic Antidepressant. "Amy tripped over a tricycle in the desert". Desert helps you remember anticholinergic side effects (urinary retention, constipation, dry mouth, blurry vision, photophobia, tachycardia)

 A person who gets medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera) shots for contraception needs to increase their intake of Calcium and Vitamin D because a key side effect of this medication is decreased bone density!

Baclofen is a centrally acting muscle relaxant. If you pull out your BACK, you might need BAClofen.

ANTACIDS: Take 1 hr and 3 hr after meals, and at bedtime. Also take 1 hour before or after other medications (not WITH other medications)

ADHD medications cause decreased appetite and weight loss in children.

When mixing insulin, remember CLEAR before CLOUDY. Inject air in the longer-acting insulin (NPH), then inject air in the shorter-acting insulin (regular). Without withdrawing needle, draw up shorter-acting insulin, then draw up longer-acting insulin.

Non-selective beta blockers are used for hypertension, angina, arrhythmias, and MIs. However, they should NEVER be used in patients with asthma, as they can cause bronchospasm.

Please Listen Carefully - these beta blockers are NON-selective: Propranolol, Labetalol, Carvedilol. They will impact the lungs too!

Amy owes me one hundred dollars, but she is in the hospital with VFIB on an amiodarone drip... so I guess it's not a good time to collect.

The key side effect to remember with ALL anticoagulants (ex: heparin, warfarin, rivaroxaban) is BLEEDING!

Taking epoetin alfa will fix your anemia so you can grow up to be a strong alpha male.