Pharmacology

Study Guide

Focus on drug classes rather than individual drugs. Know the prototype drug for each class and key nursing considerations.

Cardiovascular Drugs

• ace-inhibitors — Enalapril, lisinopril (-pril)
• beta-blockers — Metoprolol, atenolol (-olol)
• calcium-channel-blockers — Amlodipine, diltiazem
• loop-diuretics — Furosemide (Lasix)
• anticoagulants — Heparin, warfarin, DOACs
• antiplatelets — Aspirin, clopidogrel
• digoxin — Cardiac glycoside

Respiratory Drugs

• bronchodilators — Albuterol, ipratropium
• inhaled-corticosteroids — Fluticasone, budesonide

Neurological/Psychiatric Drugs

• ssri-antidepressants — Fluoxetine, sertraline
• antipsychotics — Haloperidol, risperidone
• benzodiazepines — Lorazepam, diazepam
• anticonvulsants — Phenytoin, valproic acid

Endocrine Drugs

• insulin — Types, onset, peak, duration
• oral-antidiabetics — Metformin, glipizide
• thyroid-medications — Levothyroxine, methimazole

Pain/Anti-inflammatory

• opioid-analgesics — Morphine, hydrocodone
• nsaids — Ibuprofen, naproxen
• acetaminophen — Dosing, hepatotoxicity

Anti-infective

• antibiotics-overview — Penicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones
• antifungals — Fluconazole, amphotericin B
• antivirals — Acyclovir, oseltamivir

Pharmacology Principles

• pharmacokinetics — ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion)
• pharmacodynamics — Agonists, antagonists, therapeutic index
• drug-interactions — Cytochrome P450, food-drug interactions