*Medical-Surgical *Indication*: Hypertension, *Nursing Considerations*: stomach in the morning -

Heart Failure Assess pain level regularly - Monitor thyroid function tests
Drug Handbook*
*Common Side Effects*: Monitor respiratory rate and (TSH, T3, T4)
1.Furosemide (Lasix)
Cough, Hyperkalemia, level of sedation - Administer 11. Nitroglycerin*
Class: Loop Diuretic
Dizziness with caution in patients with *Class*: Nitrate (Vasodilator)
Indication: Edema, CHF, And
*Nursing Considerations*: respiratory issues *Indication*: Angina, Chest
Hypertension
Monitor BP regularly, Watch 8. Insulin (Regular, NPH)* pain
Common Side Effects
for signs of angioedema *Class*: Antidiabetic *Common Side Effects*:
Hypokalemia, Dehydration,
5. Heparin *Indication*: Type 1 and Headache, Dizziness, and
Hypotension
*Class*: Anticoagulant Type 2 Diabetes Hypotension
*Nursing Considerations*:
*Indication*: Prevention and *Common Side Effects*: *Nursing Considerations*:
Monitor BP, I&O, electrolytes
treatment of deep vein Hypoglycemia, Weight gain Monitor BP regularly - Ensure
(especially K+) - Risk of
thrombosis (DVT), Pulmonary *Nursing Considerations*: patient is seated when taking
orthostatic hypotension
Embolism (PE) Monitor blood glucose levels 12. Albuterol (Proventil,
2. Metoprolol (Lopressor)
*Common Side Effects*: regularly -Administer at the Ventolin)*
*Class*: Beta Blocker
Bleeding, Thrombocytopenia correct times relative to *Class*: Bronchodilator
*Indication*: Hypertension,
*Nursing Considerations*: meals (Beta-2 Agonist)
Angina, Heart Failure
Monitor a PTT levels regularly 9. Warfarin (Coumadin)* *Indication*: Asthma, COPD
*Common Side Effects*:
- Be aware of bleeding risks *Class*: Anticoagulant *Common Side Effects*:
Bradycardia, Fatigue, and
6. Potassium Chloride *Indication*: Atrial Tremors, Tachycardia, and
Hypotension
(KCl)* Fibrillation, PE, and DVT Nervousness
*Nursing Considerations*:
*Class*: Electrolyte *Common Side Effects*: *Nursing Considerations*:
- Check HR before giving
Supplement Bleeding, Bruising Monitor respiratory status -
(<60 bpm, hold) Monitor BP
*Indication*: Hypokalemia *Nursing Considerations*: Teach patient proper inhaler
3. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
*Common Side Effects*: - Monitor INR regularly - technique
*Class*: Antibiotic
Hyperkalemia, GI discomfort Advise patients to avoid 13. Diltiazem (Cardizem)*
(Cephalosporin)
*Nursing Considerations*: foods high in vitamin K (e.g., *Class*: Calcium Channel
*Indication*: Bacterial
Monitor potassium levels leafy greens) Blocker
Infections
before and during therapy - 10. Levothyroxine *Indication*: Hypertension,
*Common Side Effects*:
Administer with food to avoid (Synthroid)* Angina
Diarrhea, Rash, Allergic
GI upset *Class*: Thyroid Hormone *Common Side Effects*:
reactions
7. Morphine* *Indication*: Edema, Bradycardia, and
*Nursing Considerations*:
*Class*: Opioid Analgesic Hypothyroidism Hypotension
Monitor for signs of allergic
*Indication*: Moderate to *Common Side Effects*: *Nursing Considerations*:
reactions - Assess infection
severe pain Weight loss, Palpitations, - Monitor BP and heart rate
signs
*Common Side Effects*: Tachycardia closely - Assess for signs of
4. Lisinopril (Zestril)
Respiratory depression, *Nursing Considerations*: edema
*Class*: ACE Inhibitor
Constipation, Sedation Administer on an empty 14. Ranitidine (Zantac)*
*Class*: H2 Blocker (Antacid) *Nursing Considerations*: *Common Side Effects*: *Common Side Effects*:
*Indication*: GERD, Peptic - Monitor contractions, fetal Bradycardia, Hypotension, Hyperglycemia, Insomnia,
Ulcer Disease heart rate, and maternal and Dizziness Edema
*Common Side Effects*: vitals - Discontinue if *Nursing Considerations*: *Nursing Considerations*:
Headache, Constipation hyperstimulation occurs - Monitor BP and heart rate Administer IM in two doses,
*Nursing Considerations*: regularly - Administer with 24 hours apart - Monitor
- Monitor for signs of 2. Magnesium Sulfate caution in patients with blood glucose levels
gastrointestinal bleeding - *Class*: Anticonvulsant, asthma 8. Dinoprostone
Administer with meals if GI Tocolytic *Indication*: Pre- 5. Nifedipine (Procardia)* (Cervidil)*
upset occurs eclampsia, Eclampsia *Class*: Calcium Channel *Class*: Prostaglandin
15. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)* prevention, Preterm labor Blocker *Indication*: Cervical
*Class*: Antibiotic *Common Side Effects*: *Indication*: Preterm labor, ripening, Labor induction
(Fluoroquinolone) Drowsiness, Respiratory Hypertension *Common Side Effects*:
*Indication*: Urinary Tract depression, *Common Side Effects*: Uterine hyper stimulation,
Infections, Respiratory Hypermagnesemia Hypotension, Dizziness, and Nausea, Vomiting *Nursing
Infections *Nursing Considerations*: Headache Considerations*: Monitor
*Common Side Effects*: - Monitor deep tendon *Nursing Considerations*: uterine contractions and fetal
Nausea, Diarrhea, Tendonitis reflexes, respiratory rate, and - Monitor BP and heart rate - heart rate - Discontinue if
*Nursing Considerations*: urine output - Calcium Avoid in patients with hyperstimulation occurs
- Monitor for signs of tendon gluconate should be available preexisting cardiac 9. Rho (D) Immune
pain - Encourage adequate as an antidote conditions Globulin (RhoGAM)*
fluid intake to prevent kidney 3. Methylergonovine 6. Folic Acid* *Class*: Immunoglobulin
damage Here’s the (Methergine)* *Class*: Vitamin Supplement *Indication*: Prevention of
*OB/Maternity* section! I’ll *Class*: Ergot Alkaloid *Indication*: Prevention of Rh incompatibility
continue to list the drugs *Indication*: Postpartum neural tube defects during *Common Side Effects*:
with their key information hemorrhage pregnancy Injection site reaction, Fever
*Common Side Effects*: *Common Side Effects*: *Nursing Considerations*:
Hypertension, Nausea, None common Administer to Rh-negative
*OB/Maternity Drug Vomiting *Nursing Considerations*: mothers within 72 hours after
*Nursing Considerations*: - Encourage women to begin delivery - Confirm Rh status
Handbook*
- Monitor BP before supplementation prior to of both mother and newborn
1. Oxytocin (Pitocin)
administration - Avoid use in pregnancy - Commonly 10. Terbutaline*
*Class*: Oxytocic
hypertensive patients included in prenatal vitamins *Class*: Beta-2 Agonist
*Indication*: Labor
4. Labetalol (Trandate)* 7. Betamethasone* (Tocolytic) *Indication*:
induction, postpartum
*Class*: Beta Blocker *Class*: Corticosteroid Preterm labor, Asthma
haemorrhage
*Indication*: Hypertension, *Indication*: Preterm labor *Common Side Effects*:
*Common Side Effects*:
Pre-eclampsia (lung maturation) Tachycardia, Hyperglycemia,
Uterine rupture,
Tremors
Tachysystole, Hypertension
*Nursing Considerations*: *Indication*: Pain relief, *Indication*: Allergic *Indication*: Pain,
- Monitor heart rate and Fever reduction reactions, Insomnia, Motion Inflammation, Fever
respiratory status - *Common Side Effects*: sickness reduction
Liver toxicity (overdose), *Common Side Effects*: *Common Side Effects*: GI
Administer cautiously in
Rash Drowsiness, Dry mouth, upset, Bleeding, Renal
patients with diabetes *Nursing Considerations*: Blurred vision toxicity
11. Naloxone (Narcan)* - Assess pain level and *Nursing Considerations*: *Nursing Considerations*:
*Class*: Opioid Antagonist temperature before - Use caution when - Monitor for signs of GI
*Indication*: Opioid administering - Do not administering to infants or bleeding or renal impairment
overdose (including exceed the recommended young children - Monitor for - Administer with food to
neonatal), Respiratory dose to prevent liver damage excessive sedation minimize GI irritation
2. Amoxicillin (Amoxil)* 5. Dextromethorphan 8. Cefdinir (Omnicef)*
depression
*Class*: Antibiotic (Penicillin) (Delsym)* *Class*: Antibiotic
*Common Side Effects*: *Indication*: Bacterial *Class*: Antitussive (Cough (Cephalosporin)
Nausea, Vomiting, infections (e.g., Otitis media, Suppressant) *Indication*: Respiratory
Withdrawal symptoms Pneumonia) *Indication*: Cough and skin infections
*Nursing Considerations*: *Common Side Effects*: suppression *Common Side Effects*:
- Administer promptly for Diarrhea, Rash, Allergic *Common Side Effects*: Diarrhea, Rash, Allergic
respiratory depression after reactions Drowsiness, Nausea, reactions
*Nursing Considerations*: Vomiting *Nursing Considerations*:
opioid use - Monitor for signs
- Monitor for allergic *Nursing Considerations*: - Monitor for signs of an
of opioid withdrawal reactions, especially after the - Avoid use in children under allergic reaction - Encourage
12. Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)* first dose - Complete the full 4 years old - Assess cough hydration to prevent
*Class*: Antihistamine, course of therapy to prevent and respiratory status before dehydration from diarrhea
Sedative - *Indication*: antibiotic resistance administering 9. Prednisolone
Anxiety, Preoperative 3. Albuterol (Proventil, 6. (Orapred)*
sedation, Nausea Ventolin)* Hydrocodone/Acetaminop *Class*: Corticosteroid
*Class*: Bronchodilator hen (Vicodin)* *Indication*: Inflammatory
*Common Side Effects*:
(Beta-2 Agonist) *Class*: Opioid Analgesic conditions (e.g., Asthma
Drowsiness, Dry mouth, *Indication*: Asthma, COPD *Indication*: Moderate to exacerbation, Allergies)
Blurred vision *Common Side Effects*: severe pain relief *Common Side Effects*:
*Nursing Considerations*: Tremors, Tachycardia, and *Common Side Effects*: Increased appetite, Weight
- Assess for sedation level Nervousness Respiratory depression, gain, Mood changes
before administering - Use *Nursing Considerations*: Constipation, Sedation *Nursing Considerations*:
- Teach proper inhaler use *Nursing Considerations*: - Administer with food to
cautiously in pregnant or
and encourage regular use of - Monitor respiratory status minimize GI upset - Taper
breastfeeding women spacer - Monitor for side and level of sedation - dose slowly to avoid adrenal
effects like increased heart Administer with caution in insufficiency
*Pediatrics Drug rate children <2 years 10. Lorazepam (Ativan)*
Handbook* 4. Diphenhydramine 7. Ibuprofen (Advil, *Class*: Benzodiazepine
1. Acetaminophen (Benadryl)* *Class*: Motrin)* *Indication*: Anxiety,
(Tylenol)* *Class*: Antihistamine *Class*: NSAID (Nonsteroidal Seizure prevention, Sedation
Analgesic, Antipyretic Anti-inflammatory Drug)
*Common Side Effects*: *Common Side Effects*: *Nursing Considerations*: - Administer slowly IV to
Drowsiness, Dizziness, Tachycardia, Hypertension, - Monitor blood gases and avoid ototoxicity
Respiratory depression and Anxiety electrolyte levels - Administer 8. Midazolam (Versed)*
*Nursing Considerations*: *Nursing Considerations*: carefully to avoid metabolic *Class*: Benzodiazepine
- Use cautiously in children - Monitor heart rate, blood alkalosis *Indication*: Sedation,
<6 months old - Monitor pressure, and ECG 5. Naloxone (Narcan)* Seizure management,
respiratory status and continuously - Administer in *Class*: Opioid Antagonist Preoperative sedation
sedation level emergency situations with *Indication*: Opioid *Common Side Effects*:
11. Ondansetron (Zofran)* close supervision overdose, Respiratory Respiratory depression,
*Class*: Antiemetic 2. Atropine* depression Hypotension, Drowsiness
*Indication*: Nausea and *Class*: Anticholinergic *Common Side Effects*: *Nursing Considerations*:
vomiting (e.g., *Indication*: Bradycardia, Nausea, Vomiting, - Monitor respiratory rate and
chemotherapy, Organophosphate poisoning, Withdrawal symptoms oxygen saturation - Have
postoperative) Pre-anesthesia *Nursing Considerations*: resuscitation equipment
*Common Side Effects*: *Common Side Effects*: - Monitor for withdrawal available
Headache, Constipation, and Dry mouth, Blurred vision, symptoms in opioid- 9. Morphine*
Dizziness Tachycardia dependent patients - Repeat *Class*: Opioid Analgesic
*Nursing Considerations*: *Nursing Considerations*: doses may be needed *Indication*: Severe pain,
- Administer before meals to - Monitor heart rate and depending on opioid half-life Acute myocardial infarction
prevent nausea - Monitor for blood pressure - Use 6. Lidocaine* *Common Side Effects*:
signs of dehydration cautiously in patients with *Class*: Antiarrhythmic Respiratory depression,
12. Theophylline* glaucoma (Class 1b) *Indication*: Constipation, Sedation
*Class*: Xanthine 3. Dopamine* Ventricular arrhythmias, *Nursing Considerations*:
Bronchodilator *Indication*: *Class*: Vasopressor, Local anesthesia - Monitor respiratory status
Asthma, COPD Inotropic Agent *Common Side Effects*: and sedation levels - Use
*Common Side Effects*: *Indication*: Shock, Heart Dizziness, Nausea, Seizures cautiously in patients with
Tachycardia, Restlessness, failure, Hypotension (in overdose) respiratory conditions
and Seizures (in overdose) *Common Side Effects*: *Nursing Considerations*: 10. Amiodarone*
*Nursing Considerations*: Tachycardia, Hypertension, - Monitor ECG closely during *Class*: Antiarrhythmic
- Monitor blood levels for Arrhythmias administration - Keep (Class III) *Indication*:
toxicity - Avoid caffeine to *Nursing Considerations*: resuscitation equipment Ventricular arrhythmias,
prevent stimulation Continuous monitoring of readily available Atrial fibrillation
heart rate, blood pressure, 7. Furosemide (Lasix)* *Common Side Effects*:
and ECG - Titrate dose based *Class*: Loop Diuretic Pulmonary toxicity,
*ICU/Emergency Drug on patient response *Indication*: Pulmonary Hypotension, Bradycardia
Handbook* edema, Heart failure, *Nursing Considerations*:
1. Epinephrine 4. Sodium Bicarbonate* Hypertension - Monitor lung function (risk
(Adrenalin)* *Class*: Alkalinizing Agent *Common Side Effects*: of pulmonary fibrosis) -
*Class*: Sympathomimetic *Indication*: Metabolic Hypokalemia, Hypotension, Administer with a loading
(Adrenergic) acidosis, Cardiac arrest Dizziness dose as per protocol
*Indication*: Cardiac arrest, (refractory acidosis *Nursing Considerations*: 11. Calcium Chloride*
Anaphylaxis, Severe asthma *Common Side Effects*: - Monitor potassium levels *Class*: Electrolyte
exacerbation Alkalosis, Electrolyte and BP during administration Supplement
disturbances, Fluid overload
*Indication*: Hypocalcemia, *Common Side Effects*: hs = Bed Time 5. Nephralgia - Pain in the
Cardiac arrest, Hyperkalemia Rare, generally well-tolerated BBF = Before Breakfast kidney
*Common Side Effects*: *Nursing Considerations*: BD = Before Dinner 6. Neuralgia - Nerve pain
Hypercalcemia, Tissue - Administer before glucose if Tw = Twice a week 7. Myalgia - Muscle pain
necrosis (if extravasation hypoglycemia is suspected in SQ = sub cutaneous 8. Otalgia - Ear ache
occurs) alcoholics - Monitor for signs IM = Intramuscular 9. Gastralgia - Pain in the
*Nursing Considerations*: of improvement in neurologic ID = Intradermal stomach
- Monitor calcium levels and function IV = Intravenous 10. Pyoderma - Skin infection
ECG - Administer slowly to 15. Magnesium Sulfate* Q4H = (every 4 hours) with pus formation
avoid arrhythmias *Class*: Electrolyte, QOD = (every other day) 11. Leucoderma - Defective skin
12. Vasopressin* Anticonvulsant *Indication*: HS = (at bedtime) pigmentaion
*Class*: Antidiuretic Seizures (e.g., eclampsia), PRN = (as needed 12. Hysterodynia - Pain in the
Hormone Analog Cardiac arrhythmias, PO or "per os" (by mouth) uterus
*Indication*: Diabetes Torsades de Pointes Mg = (milligrams) 13. Hysterectomy - Excision of
insipidus, Shock, Cardiac *Common Side Effects*: Mcg/ug = (micrograms) the uterus
arrest Hypotension, Respiratory G or Gm = (grams) 14. Nephrectomy - Excision of a
*Common Side Effects*: depression, Flushing 1TSF (Teaspoon) = 5 ml kidney
Hypertension, Hyponatremia, *Nursing Considerations*: 1 Tablespoonful = 15ml 15. Adenectomy - Excision of a
Arrhythmias - Monitor vital signs, deep DDx =differential Diagnosis gland
*Nursing Considerations*: tendon reflexes, and Tx = Treatment 16. Cholecystectomy - Excision of
- Monitor BP and serum respiratory rate RTx = Radiotherapy gall bladder
sodium levels - Cautiously -Calcium gluconate should be CTx = Chemotherapy 17. Thyroidectomy - Excision of
administer in patients with available as an antidote R/O = rule out thyroid gland
heart disease s.p = status post 18. Diplopia - Double vision
13. Propranolol (Inderal)* COMMON MEDICAL PMH(x) = post medical 19. Thrombosis - Formation of a
*Class*: Beta Blocker ABBREVIATIONS history blood clot
*Indication*: Hypertension, Rx= Prescription Px = Prognosis 20. Pyloromyotomy - Incision of
Arrhythmias, Angina Hx= History Ix = Indication pyloric sphincter muscle
*Common Side Effects*: Dx= Diagnosis CIx = contraindication 21. Hedrophobia- Fear of water
Bradycardia, Hypotension, q = Every Bx = biopsy (Rabies in humans)
Dizziness qd = Every day Cx = complication 22. Neuroplasty - Surgical repair
*Nursing Considerations*: qod = Every other day of nerves
- Monitor heart rate and qh = Every Hour 23. Pyloraplasty - Incision of
blood pressure - Use S = without plastic pylorus to widen
cautiously in patients with SS = One & half COMFOUNDED WORDS passage
asthma C = With MEANINGS 24. Hemiplegia - Paralysis of one
SOS = If needed side of the body
14. Thiamine (Vitamin AC = Before Meals 25. Nephroptosis - Downward
1. Anaemia - Deficiency of
B1)* PC = after meals displacement of the kidney
haemoglobin in the blood
*Class*: Vitamin Supplement BID = Twice a Day 26. Amenorrhoea - Absence of
2. Analgesic - Medicine which
*Indication*: Wernicke- TID = Thrice a Day menstrual discharge
alleviates pain
Korsakoff syndrome, QID= Four times a day 27. Dysmenorrhoea - Painful
3. Arthralgia - Pain in a joint
Alcoholic encephalopathy OD = Once a Day menstruation
4. Cephalalgia - Headache
BT = Bed Time
28. Leucorrhoea - Whitish vaginal
discharge
29. Menorrhoea - Menstrual
bleeding
30. Haemorrhage - Escape of
blood from a vessel
31. Arrhythmia - Any deviation of
normal rhythm of heart
32. Cholestasis - Diminution in
the flow of bile
33. Haemostatis - Arrest of
bleeding
34. Neurasthenia - Nervous
debility
35. Cystostomy - Surgical
opening made into the
bladder
36. Cystotomy - Incision into the
urinary bladder
37. Hypertrophy - Increase in the
size of tissues
38. Haematuria - Blood in the
urine
39. Glycosuria - Presence of
sugar in the urine
40. Albuminuria - Presence of
albumin in the urine