LARON, MARY MAE G.

BSN3G-B

DRUG MECHANISM OF INDICATION ADVERSE NURSING

NAME ACTION EFFECT RESPONSIBILITIES
GENERIC: Stimulates alpha- As a medication, it Excessive doses INTERVENTION/EVALU
Epinephrine adrenergic receptors is used to treat a may cause acute ATION Monitor for vital
(vasoconstriction, number of hypertension, sign changes.
pressor effects), conditions, arrhythmias.
BRAND: beta1-adrenergic including Prolonged/exces Assess lung sounds for
EpiPen receptors (cardiac anaphylaxis, sive use may rhonchi, wheezing,
stimulation), beta2- cardiac arrest, result in rales.
adrenergic receptors asthma, and metabolic
THEREPEUTI (bronchial dilation, superficial acidosis due to Monitor ABGs. In
C CLASS: vasodilation) bleeding. Inhaled increased serum cardiac arrest, monitor
Antiasthmati Therapeutic Effect: epinephrine may lactic acid. EKG, pt condition.
c (adrenergic Relaxes smooth be used to improve Metabolic
agonist). muscle of bronchial the symptoms of acidosis may PATIENT/FAMILY
tree, produces croup. cause TEACHING
cardiac stimulation, disorientation, • Avoid excessive use of
dilates skeletal CONTRAINDICAAT fatigue, caffeine derivatives
PHARMACO muscle vasculature. IONS: Some hyperventilation, (chocolate, coffee, tea,
LOGIC: relative headache, cola, cocoa).
Sympathomi contraindications nausea, vomiting, • Report any new
metic include diarrhea. symptoms (tachycardia,
hypersensitivity to shortness of breath,
sympathomimetic dizziness) immediately:
drugs, closed-angle may be systemic effects.
glaucoma,
anesthesia with
LARON, MARY MAE G.
BSN3G-B

halothane. Another
unique
contraindication to
be aware of is
catecholaminergic
polymorphic
ventricular
tachycardia.

DRUG MECHANISM OF INDICATION ADVERSE NURSING

NAME ACTION EFFECT RESPONSIBILITIES
GENERIC: Antacid: Acts in Magnesium Sulfate Magnesium as BASELINE
Magnesium stomach to neutralize injection is antacid, laxative ASSESSMENT Assess if
sulfate gastric acid. indicated mainly for has no known pt is sensitive to
Therapeutic Effect: the treatment of adverse magnesium. Antacid:
Increases pH. hypomagnesaemia reactions. Assess GI pain
BRAND: Laxative: Osmotic and magnesium Systemic use (duration, location,
Epsom Salt, effect primarily in deficiency states. may produce quality, time of
Sulfamag small intestine, draws Irregular heart prolonged PR occurrence, relief with
water into intestinal beats, some time it interval, food,
lumen. Therapeutic may be used as a widening of QRS causative/exacerbate
THEREPEUTI Effect: Promotes laxative. interval. factors). Laxative:
C CLASS: peristalsis, bowel Magnesium Sulfate Magnesium Assess for weight loss,
Anticonvulsa evacuation. Systemic injection is used in toxicity may nausea, vomiting, history
nt (dietary supplement the treatment of cause loss of of recent abdominal
replacement): Found deep tendon surgery. Systemic:
LARON, MARY MAE G.
BSN3G-B

primarily in magnesium reflexes, heart Assess renal function,

intracellular fluids. deficiency. block, serum magnesium.
PHARMACO Therapeutic Effect: respiratory INTERVENTION/EVALU
LOGIC: Essential for enzyme CONTRAINDDICTI paralysis, ATION Antacid: Assess
Antacid, activity, nerve ONS: Absolute or cardiac arrest. for relief of gastric
anticonvulsa conduction, muscle relative Antidote: 10–20 distress. Monitor renal
nt, contraction. contraindications to ml 10% calcium function (esp. if dosing
electrolyte, Maintains and this medication gluconate (5–10 is long term or frequent).
laxative restores magnesium include myasthenia mEq of calcium). Laxative: Monitor daily
levels. gravis, severe renal pattern of bowel activity,
Anticonvulsant: failure, cardiac stool consistency.
Blocks ischemia, heart Maintain adequate fluid
neuromuscular block and intake. Systemic:
transmission, amount pulmonary edema Monitor renal function,
of acetylcholine magnesium levels, EKG
released at motor for cardiac function.
end plate. PATIENT/FAMILY
Therapeutic Effect: TEACHING
Produces seizure • Antacid: Take at least 2
control. hrs apart from other
medication.
• Do not take longer
than 2 wks unless
directed by physician.
• Laxative: Drink full
glass (8 oz) liquid to aid
stool softening.
LARON, MARY MAE G.
BSN3G-B

• Use only for short

term. Do not use if
abdominal pain, nausea,
vomiting is present.
• Systemic: Inform
physician of any signs of
hypermagnesemia
(dizziness, palpitations,
altered mental status,
fatigue, weakness).

DRUG MECHANISM OF INDICATION ADVERSE NURSING

NAME ACTION EFFECT RESPONSIBILITIES
GENERIC: Displaces opioids at Naloxone is Too-rapid BASELINE
Naloxone opioid-occupied indicated for the reversal of ASSESSMENT Maintain
receptor sites in CNS. treatment of narcotic-induced clear airway. Obtain
Therapeutic Effect: opioid toxicity, respiratory weight of children to
BRAND: Reverses opioid- specifically to depression may calculate drug dosage.
Narcan induced reverse result in agitation, INTERVENTION/EVALUA
sleep/sedation, respiratory nausea, vomiting, TION Monitor vital signs,
increases respiratory depression from tremors, esp. rate, depth, rhythm
THEREPEUTI rate, raises B/P to opioid use. It is increased B/P, of respiration, during and
C CLASS: normal range. useful in tachycardia. frequently following
Antidote accidental or Excessive administration. Carefully
intentional dosage in postop observe pt after
LARON, MARY MAE G.
BSN3G-B

overdose and pts may produce satisfactory response

acute or chronic significant (duration of opiate may
PHARMACO toxicity. Common reversal of exceed duration of
LOGIC: non- opioid overdoses analgesia, naloxone, resulting in
selective and treated with agitation, recurrence of respiratory
competitive naloxone include tremors. depression). Assess for
opioid heroin, fentanyl, Hypotension or increased pain with
receptor carfentanil, hypertension, reversal of opiate.
antagonist. hydrocodone, ventricular
Narcotic oxycodone, tachycardia/fibrill
antagonist. methadone, and ation, pulmonary
others. edema may
occur in those
with
cardiovascular
disease.

CONTRAINDICAT
IONS;
Naloxone is
contraindicated in
patients known to
be hypersensitive
to it. Use with
caution in patients
dependent on
opioids. Use with
LARON, MARY MAE G.
BSN3G-B

caution in patients
with cardiac
problems or those
receiving
cardiotoxic drugs.

DRUG MECHANISM OF INDICATION ADVERSE NURSING

NAME ACTION EFFECT RESPONSIBILITIES
GENERIC: Enhances action of Lorazepam is abrupt or too- BASELINE
lorazepam inhibitory FDA-approved for rapid withdrawal ASSESSMENT Offer
neurotransmitter the short-term may result in emotional support to
gamma-aminobutyric relief of anxiety pronounced anxious pt. Pt must
BRAND: acid (GABA) in CNS, symptoms related restlessness, remain recumbent
Lorazepam affecting memory, to anxiety irritability, following parenteral
Intensol motor, sensory, disorders and insomnia, hand administration to reduce
cognitive function. anxiety tremor, hypotensive effect.
THEREPEUTI Therapeutic Effect: associated with abdominal Assess motor responses
C CLASS: Produces anxiolytic, depressive cramping, (agitation, trembling,
Benzodiazepi anticonvulsant, symptoms such muscle cramps, tension), autonomic
nes sedative, muscle as anxiety- diaphoresis, responses (cold or
relaxant, antiemetic associated vomiting, clammy hands,
effects. insomnia. It is as seizures. diaphoresis).
well used as an Overdose results
PHARMACO anesthesia in drowsiness, INTERVENTION/EVALUA
LOGIC: premedication in confusion, TION Monitor B/P,
LARON, MARY MAE G.
BSN3G-B

Antianxiety, adults to relieve diminished respiratory rate, heart

sedative- anxiety or to reflexes, coma. rate, CBC with
hypnotic, produce Antidote: differential, hepatic
antiemetic, sedation/amnesia Flumazenil (see function tests. For those
skeletal and for the Appendix K for on long-term therapy,
muscle treatment of dosage). hepatic/renal function
relaxant, status epilepticus tests, blood counts
amnesiac, should be performed
anticonvulsa CONTRAINDICAT periodically. Assess for
nt, IONS; Lorazepam paradoxical reaction,
antitremor is contraindicated particularly during early
in patients with therapy. Evaluate for
hypersensitivity to therapeutic response:
benzodiazepines calm facial expression,
or to any decreased restlessness,
components of insomnia.
the formulation, in
acute narrow- PATIENT/ FAMILY
angle glaucoma, TEACHING
pre-existing CNS • Drowsiness usually
depression, disappears during
coma, acute continued therapy.
pulmonary • Avoid tasks that require
insufficiency or alertness, motor skills
sleep apnea. until response to drug is
Encephalopathy established.
may be
LARON, MARY MAE G.
BSN3G-B

precipitated in • Smoking reduces drug

patients with effectiveness.
severe hepatic • Do not abruptly
insufficiency. discontinue medication
after long-term therapy.
• Do not use alcohol,
CNS depressants.
• Contraception
recommended for long-
term therapy.

DRUG MECHANISM OF INDICATION ADVERSE NURSING

NAME ACTION EFFECT RESPONSIBILITIES
GENERIC: Direct vasodilating This medication is High dosage may BASELINE
Hydralazine effects on arterioles. a smooth muscle produce lupus ASSESSMENT Obtain
Therapeutic Effect: relaxant, erythematosus– B/P, pulse immediately
Decreases B/P, prescribed for like reaction before each dose, in
BRAND:, systemic vascular essential (fever, facial rash, addition to regular
Apresoline resistance. hypertension. muscle/joint monitoring (be alert to
This medication aches, fluctuations).
lowers the blood glomerulonephriti INTERVENTION/EVALUA
THEREPEUTI pressure. s, splenomegaly). TION Monitor B/P, pulse,
C CLASS: Severe ANA titer. Monitor for
Vasodilator. orthostatic headache, palpitations,
hypotension, skin tachycardia. Assess for
flushing, severe peripheral edema of
LARON, MARY MAE G.
BSN3G-B

headache, hands, feet. Monitor daily

PHARMACO CONTRAINDICAT myocardial pattern of bowel activity,
LOGIC: IONS; ischemia, cardiac stool consistency.
Antihyperten Hydralazine is arrhythmias may PATIENT/FAMILY
sive contraindicated in develop. TEACHING
individuals with Profound shock • To reduce hypotensive
abnormally high may occur with effect, rise slowly from
heart rates. severe lying to sitting position,
Hydralazine is overdosage. permit legs to dangle
contraindicated in from bed momentarily
individuals with before standing.
abnormally low • Unsalted crackers, dry
blood pressures. toast may relieve nausea.
• Report muscle/joint
aches, fever (lupus-like
reaction), flu-like
symptoms.