MedMaster by NURSING.com

Jon Haws, RN CCRN Alumnus
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May 22, 2023 • 4min

Dexamethasone (Decadron)

Visit: https://nursing.com/140meds to request your free copy of "140 Must Know Meds" Generic Name Dexamethasone Trade Name Decadron Indication Manage cerebral edema, assess for Cushing’s Disease Action Suppress inflammation and normal immune response. Used in inflammatory states to decrease inflammation. Therapeutic Class Antiasthmatics, corticosteroids Pharmacologic Class Corticosteroids Nursing Considerations • Excreted by the liver – monitor liver profile • Avoid in active untreated infections • May cause CNS alterations • May cause peptic ulcers • May cause Cushingoid appearance (buffalo hump, moon face) • Weight gain • Osteoporosis • Decrease wound healing • May elevate blood sugars • May increase cholesterol and lipid values
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May 19, 2023 • 18min

SOCK Method - Proven Way to Master Pharmacology

Join us for our FREE Test-Taking Webinar to boost your exam scores: https://bit.ly/nursingtesttaking I am excited to bring to you the NURSING.com SOCK Method, with proven tips to help you master pharmacology.   When I surveyed 200 nursing students, 66% said that their most difficult subject was nursing pharmacology.  However, the issue is often overlooked. There are a lot of schools that don't have dedicated pharmacology courses and instead roll it up into other parts of the program.  But that is devastating to me because the one thing we do more than almost anything else in our careers as nurses is give medication. So today I'm gonna introduce you to something called the SOCK Method for mastering nursing pharmacology.  We are doubling down on our focus on pharmacology in this podcast.  After listening to this, I am confident that you will be able to become a master of nursing pharmacology. SOCK Method S – Side Effects O – Organs C – Class/Considerations/Cards K – Know (or Must Know) The Correct Order
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May 19, 2023 • 4min

Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)

Visit: https://nursing.com/140meds to request your free copy of "140 Must Know Meds" Generic Name Cyclosporine Trade Name Sandimmune Indication Prevention of rejection in transplantation, treatment of severe RA, management of ulcerative colitis Action Inhibits normal immune response primarily by decreasing the activity of T cells Therapeutic Class Immunosuppressant, antirheumatics (DMARD) Pharmacologic Class Polypeptides (cyclic) Nursing Considerations • May cause seizures, tremors, hypertension, hepatotoxicity, diarrhea, N/V, gingival hyperplasia • Increases immune suppression with corticosteroids • Avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medications • Assess for signs of organ rejection • Monitor renal panel, liver enzymes • Take medication as directed • Lifelong therapy required for transplant patients • Instruct pt on how to take blood pressure
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May 17, 2023 • 4min

Cortisone (Cortone)

Visit: https://nursing.com/140meds to request your free copy of "140 Must Know Meds" Generic Name Cortisone Trade Name Cortone Indication Management of adrenocortical insufficiency (Addison’s Disease). Replace cortisol in states of deficiency, suppress inflammation and normal immune response. Action The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys. The adrenal glands excrete steroid hormones, including cortisol that play a role in increasing blood sugars, immune suppression, and metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, as well as decreasing bone formation. Therapeutic Class Antiasthmatics, corticosteroids Pharmacologic Class Corticosteroids Nursing Considerations • Excreted by the liver – monitor liver profile • Avoid in active untreated infections • May cause CNS alterations • May cause peptic ulcers • May cause Cushingoid appearance (buffalo hump, moon face) • Weight gain • Osteoporosis • Decrease wound healing • May elevate blood sugars • May increase cholesterol and lipid values
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May 15, 2023 • 3min

Codeine (Paveral)

Visit: https://nursing.com/140meds to request your free copy of "140 Must Know Meds" Generic Name Codeine Trade Name Paveral Indication Management of pain, diarrhea, cough suppressant Action Binds to opiate receptors in the CNS and alters perception of pain while producing a general depression of the CNS. This depression also causes a decrease in the cough reflex and GI motility. Therapeutic Class Allergy, cold, cough remedy, antitussive, opioid analgesic Pharmacologic Class Opioid agonist Nursing Considerations • May cause alterations in mentation, hypotension, constipation, nausea, vomiting • Assess BP, pulse, and respiratory rate prior to administration and frequently during administration • Use caution if patient is receiving MAO Inhibitors • Narcan (naloxone) is the antidote for opioid agonists
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May 12, 2023 • 4min

Clopidogrel (Plavix)

Visit: https://nursing.com/140meds to request your free copy of "140 Must Know Meds" Generic Name Clopidogrel Trade Name Plavix Indication Atherosclerotic events, MI, CVA, PVD, acute coronary syndrome Action Inhibits platelet aggregation Therapeutic Class Antiplatelet agent Pharmacologic Class Platelet aggregation inhibitors Nursing Considerations • May cause GI bleeding, neutropenia, hypercholesterolemia • May increase risk for bleeding in warfarin, aspirin, heparin • Can increase risk for bleeding with garlic, ginkgo, ginger • Monitor for signs of bleeding • Monitor bleeding times • Monitor CBC and platelet count • Discontinue use 5-7 days before surgery
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May 10, 2023 • 3min

Clindamycin (Cleocin)

Visit: https://nursing.com/140meds to request your free copy of "140 Must Know Meds" Generic Name Clindamycin Trade Name Cleocin Indication Skin infections, respiratory tract infections, septicemia, intra-abdominal infections, osteomyelitis Action Bacteriostatic: inhibits protein synthesis Therapeutic Class Anti-infectives Pharmacologic Class Lincosamide Nursing Considerations • Arrhythmias, pseudomembranous colitis, diarrhea, phlebitis • Monitor bowel function • Assess for infection, obtain cultures prior to therapy • Monitor liver function tests • Monitor CBC
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May 8, 2023 • 3min

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

Visit: https://nursing.com/140meds to request your free copy of "140 Must Know Meds" Generic Name Ciprofloxacin Trade Name Cipro Indication Urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, skin and bone infections, infectious diarrhea, abdominal infections Action Inhibits bacterial DNA synthesis Therapeutic Class Anti-infectives Pharmacologic Class Fluoroquinolone Nursing Considerations • Contraindicated in allergies • May cause QT prolongation, avoid use with other drugs that can cause QT prolongation • Can cause seizures, arrhythmias, pseudomembranous colitis, anaphylaxis, Stevens Johnson syndrome • May decrease effects of phenytoin • Monitor renal panel • Assess for infection, obtain cultures prior to therapy • Monitor liver function tests
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May 5, 2023 • 4min

Cimetidine (Tagamet)

Visit: https://nursing.com/140meds to request your free copy of "140 Must Know Meds" Generic Name Cimetidine Trade Name Tagamet Indication Treatment of duodenal ulcers, GERD, heartburn, Zollinger Ellison syndrome, prevention of GI bleeding in critical patients. Action Inhibits action of histamine leading to inhibition of gastric acid secretion Therapeutic Class Antiulcer agent Pharmacologic Class Histamine H2 antagonist Nursing Considerations • Increases serum level of warfarin • Can lead to respiratory infection (green sputum) • Monitor for arrhythmias • May cause agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia • Monitor CBC during therapy • Take medication as directed • Instruct patient to increase fluid and fiber intake to decrease constipation
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May 3, 2023 • 4min

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)

Visit: https://nursing.com/140meds to request your free copy of "140 Must Know Meds" Generic Name Chlorpromazine Trade Name Thorazine Indication Second line treatment of schizophrenia and psychosis, nausea/vomiting, pre-op sedation, acute intermittent porphyria, headache, bipolar Action Exhibits anticholinergic activity, alters effects of dopamine in CNS Therapeutic Class Antipsychotic, antiemetic Pharmacologic Class Phenothiazines (dopamine D2 receptor antagonist) Nursing Considerations • May cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome, sedation, tardive dyskinesia, hypotension, agranulocytosis • Assess mental status prior to and during treatment • Monitor blood pressure • Ensure patient is taking medication • Monitor CBC and liver function tests • Instruct patient not to skip doses or double dose.

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