Glossary of Key Terms in Pharmacology, Clinical Conditions, and Associated Signs and Symptoms

by: ishi21marie, RN

acute dystonia - extrapyramidal symptom manifested by abnormal posturing, grimacing, spastic torticollis (neck torsion), and oculogyric (eyeball movement) crisis.
adverse effect - unintended, unpredictable, and nontherapeutic response to drug action. Adverse effects occur at doses used therapeutically or for prophylaxis or diagnosis. They generally result from drug toxicity, idiosyncrasies, or hypersensitivity reactions caused [...]

Pharmacology Terms & Definitions, Clinical Conditions, and Associated Signs and Symptoms

 
acute dystonia
extrapyramidal symptom manifested by abnormal posturing, grimacing, spastic torticollis (neck torsion), and oculogyric (eyeball movement) crisis.
adverse effect
unintended, unpredictable, and nontherapeutic response to drug action. Adverse effects occur at doses used therapeutically or for prophylaxis or diagnosis. They generally result from drug toxicity, idiosyncrasies, or hypersensitivity reactions caused by the drug itself or by [...]

ORAL DOSAGE FORMS THAT SHOULD NOT BE CRUSHED

Some oral dosage forms should not be crushed or chewed. These dosage forms have been specially designed to release the drug slowly over several hours, to protect the drug from the low pH of the stomach, and/or to protect the stomach from the irritating effects of the drug.
Drugs may have an enteric coating which [...]

ACETAMINOPHEN, PARACETAMOL

(a-seat-a-mee’noe-fen)
Abenol, A’Cenol, Acephen, Anacin-3, Anuphen, APAP, Atasol , Campain , Datril Extra Strength, Dolanex, Exdol , Halenol, Liquiprin, Panadol, Pedric, Robigesic , Rounox , Tapar, Tempra, Tylenol, Valadol
Classifications: central nervous system agent; nonnarcotic analgesic, antipyretic
Pregnancy Category: B
NURSING IMPLICATIONS
Assessment & Drug Effects

Monitor for S&S of: hepatotoxicity, even with moderate acetaminophen doses, [...]

AMIODARONE HYDROCHLORIDE

(a-mee’oh-da-rone)
Cordarone, Amio-Aqueous, Pacerone
Classifications: cardiovascular agent; antiarrhythmic, class iii
Pregnancy Category: D
NURSING IMPLICATIONS
Assessment & Drug Effects

Monitor BP carefully during infusion and slow the infusion if significant hypotension occurs; bradycardia should be treated by slowing the infusion or discontinuing if necessary. Monitor heart [...]

AMLODIPINE

(am-lo’di-peen)
Norvasc
Classifications: cardiovascular agent; calcium channel blocker; antihypertensive agent
Prototype: Nifedipine
Pregnancy Category: C
NURSING IMPLICATIONS
Assessment & Drug Effects

Monitor BP for therapeutic effectiveness. BP reduction is greatest after peak levels of amlodipine are achieved 6–9 h following oral doses.
Monitor for S&S of dose-related peripheral [...]

AMOXICILLIN

(a-mox-i-sill’in)
Amoxil, Apo-Amoxi , Larotid, Novamoxin, Polymox, Sumox, Trimox, Utimox, Wymox, DisperMox
Classifications: antiinfective; antibiotic; aminopenicillin
Prototype: Ampicillin
Pregnancy Category: B
NURSING IMPLICATIONS
Assessment & Drug Effects

Determine previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, and other allergens prior to therapy.
Lab tests: Baseline C&S tests prior to initiation of [...]

ISOSORBIDE DINITRATE

(eye-soe-sor’bide)
Coronex , Dilatrate-SR, Iso-Bid, Isordil, Isotrate, Novosorbide , Sorbitrate, Sorbitrate SA
Classifications: cardiovascular agent; nitrate vasodilator
Prototype: Nitroglycerin
Pregnancy Category: C
NURSING IMPLICATIONS
Assessment & Drug Effects

Monitor effectiveness of drug in relieving angina.
Note: Headaches tend to decrease in intensity and frequency with continued therapy but may require [...]

METRONIDAZOLE

(me-troe-ni’da-zole)
Flagyl, Flagyl ER, Flagyl IV RTU, Flagyl 375, Metizol, Metric 21, Metro I.V., MetroGel, MetroGel Vaginal, MetroLotion, Noritate, Protostat
Classifications: antiinfective; antitrichomonal; amebicide; antibiotic
Pregnancy Category: B
NURSING IMPLICATIONS
Assessment & Drug Effects

Discontinue therapy immediately if symptoms of CNS toxicity (see Appendix F) develop. Monitor especially for seizures and [...]

AMIODARONE HYDROCHLORIDE

(a-mee’oh-da-rone)
Cordarone, Amio-Aqueous, Pacerone
Classifications: cardiovascular agent; antiarrhythmic, class iii
Pregnancy Category: D
NURSING IMPLICATIONS
Assessment & Drug Effects

Monitor BP carefully during infusion and slow the infusion if significant hypotension occurs; bradycardia should be treated by slowing the infusion or discontinuing if necessary. Monitor heart [...]