DRUG THERAPEUTIC RECORD

MECHANISM OF CONTRA- SIDE EFFECTS/ NURSING

DRUG NAME DRUG CLASS INDICATIONS
ACTION INDICATIONS ADVERSE EFFECTS CONSIDERATION
Generic: Therapeutic: Amobarbital (like Indicated for use  Allergy to CNS: Agitation, Before:
all barbiturates) as a: barbiturates. confusion, hyperkinesia,  Assess for
Amobarbital Intermediate works by binding  sedative or  History of ataxia, CNS depression, contraindicati
barbiturate nightmares, ons to
to the GABAA hypnotic. addiction to nervousness,  prevent any
receptor at either  short-term sedative- psychiatric disturbance, untoward
the alpha or the basis to treat hypnotic drugs complications
hallucinations, insomnia, 
beta sub unit. insomnia  Latent or anxiety, dizziness, thinking .
Brand: These are binding  to relieve manifest abnormality.  Perform a
sites that are anxiety, euphoria thorough
Amytal Sodium distinct from Respi: Hypoventilation,  history taking
including  Marked
GABA itself and apnea, postoperative and physical
anxiety before hepatic
atelectasis assessment
also distinct from surgery. impairment or  Assess blood
the  Preanesthetic nephritis pressure
benzodiazepine CV: Bradycardia, 
 Respiratory hypotension,  periodically,
binding site. Like distress and and compare
syncope
benzodiazepines, dysfunction to normal
barbiturates values (See
 Lactation GI: Nausea, vomiting,
potentiate the Appendix F).
constipation Report low
effect of GABA at  Acute or
blood
this receptor. chronic pain Others: Headache, pressure
hypersensitivity (hypotension)
 Seizure
(angioedema, , especially if
disorder
skin rashes, patient
 Chronic exfoliative dermatitis),  experiences
hepatic, fever, liver damage dizziness or
cardiac, and syncope.
respiratory  Assess
diseases symptoms of
bronchospas
Pregnancy m and
Category: D laryngospasm
(wheezing,
coughing,
tightness in
chest),
especially
after IV
administration
. Perform
pulmonary
function tests
to quantify
suspected
changes in
ventilation
and
respiratory
function, or if
patient
exhibits signs
of respiratory
depression
(dyspnea,
hypoxia).
 Monitor
excessive
sedation or
changes in
mood and
behavior such
as agitation,
hyperactivity,
confusion, or
abnormal
thoughts.
Notify
 physician if
these
changes
become
problematic.

During:
 Administer
intravenous
diuretics
slowly.
 Do not mix
intravenous
drugs in
solution with
any other
drugs to
avoid
potential
drug-drug
interactions.
 Taper dose
as ordered
 Provide
comfort
measures to
help patient
tolerate drug
effects
 Provide
safety
measures to
prevent
injuries.
 Educate
client on drug
therapy to
 promote
compliance.

After:
 Monitor
patient
response to
therapy.
 Monitor for
adverse
effects.
 Evaluate
patient
understandin
g on drug
therapy.
 Monitor
patient
compliance to
drug therapy.
 Assess
injection site
following IV
or IM
administration
, and report
excessive or
prolonged
local pain,
swelling, and
inflammation.