DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

Drug Study

1. Name of 2. Drug 3. Therapeutic 4. Indications 5. Contraindications and 6. Adverse Reactions 7. Interactions 8. Drug 9. Nursing Responsibilities
Drugs / Classification Actions ( Based on the client’s Cautions Laboratory Test
case)
Medications
(Generic Name,
Brand Name,
Dosage, Form,
Route , Frequency)

hydralazine Pharmacologic Exerts a direct Management of CONTRAINDICATION: CNS: Chills, fever, headache, DRUG: LAB VALUES: Baseline Assessment
hydrochloride class: vasodilating moderate to severe Hypersensitivity to peripheral neuritis Diuretics (e.g., May produce 1. Obtain B/P, pulse immediately before each dose, in
(apresoline) Vasodilator effect on vascular hypertension. hydralazine. Coronary CV: Angina, edema, furosemide, HCTZ), positive direct addition to regular monitoring (be alert to fluctuations).
smooth muscle, Hypertension artery disease, mitral orthostatic hypotension, other Coombs’ test
Therapeutic specifically secondary to valvular rheumatic heart palpitations, tachycardia antihypertensives Intervention:
class: arteries not veins, eclampsia or pre- disease. EENT: Lacrimation, nasal (e.g., 1. Monitor B/P, pulse. Monitor for headache, palpitations,
Antihypertensive which minimizes eclampsia. congestion amLODIPine, tachycardia. Assess for peripheral edema of hands, feet.
orthostatic CAUTIONS: GI: Anorexia, constipation, cloNIDine, lisinopril,
hypotension and Advanced renal diarrhea, nausea, vomiting valsartan) may Patient Teaching
increases cardiac impairment, RESP: Dyspnea increase hypotensive 1. To reduce hypotensive effect, go from lying to standing
output and cerebrovascular accident, SKIN: Blisters, flushing, effect. slowly.
cerebral blood suspected coronary artery pruritus, rash, urticaria HERBAL: 2. Report muscle/joint aches, fever (lupus-like reaction),
flow. disease. Pts Other: Lupus-like symptoms, Ephedra, ginseng, flu-like symptoms.
with mitral valvular disease, especially with high doses; yohimbe may worsen
positive ANA titer, lymphadenopathy hypertension.
pulmonary hypertension. Garlic may increase
antihypertensive effect.
FOOD:
Any foods may
increase
absorption.

LAB VALUES: May

produce positive direct
Coombs’ test

Magnesium Pharmacologic Blocks To prevent and CONTRAINDICATION: CNS: Confusion, decreased DRUG: Baseline Assessment
sulfate class: Mineral neuromuscular control seizures in Antacid: Appendicitis, reflex, syncope Digoxin, CNS 1. Obtain B/P, pulse immediately before each dose, in
transmission, preeclampsia or symptoms of appendicitis, CV: arrythmias, hypotension depressants addition to regular monitoring (be alert to fluctuations).
Therapeutic amount of eclampsia ileostomy, intestinal GI: Flatulence, vomiting
 class: electrolyte acetylcholine obstruction, severe renal MS: Muscle cramps Intervention:
replacement released at motor impairment. RESP: Dyspnea 1. Monitor B/P, pulse. Monitor for headache, palpitations,
end plate. Other: Magnesium toxicity tachycardia. Assess for peripheral edema of hands, feet.
CAUTIONS: 2. Monitor serum electrolyte levels in patients with renal
insufficiency because they’re at risk for magnesium
toxicity.

Patient Teaching
1. To reduce hypotensive effect, go from lying to standing
slowly.
2. Report muscle/joint aches, fever (lupus-like reaction),
flu-like symptoms.
oxytocin (Pitocin) Pharmacologic Activates To produce uterine Contraindications: Fetal: DRUG: LAB VALUES: Baseline assessment:
class: receptors that contractions during Hypersensitivity to oxytocin. Bradycardia, CNS/brain Caudal block None significant. 1. Assess baselines for vital signs, B/P, fetal heart rate.
Uterine smooth trigger increase in third stage of labor Adequate uterine activity damage, trauma due to rapid anesthetics, 2. Determine frequency and duration, strength of
muscle stimulant intracellular and to control that fails to progress, propulsion, low Apgar vasopressors may contractions.
calcium levels in postpartum cephalopelvic disproportion, score at 5 min, retinal increase pressor
Therapeutic uterine bleeding/hemorrhage fetal distress without hemorrhage occur rarely. effects. Other Intervention:
class: myofibrils; imminent delivery, grand Prolonged IV infusion of oxytocics may cause 1. Monitor B/P, pulse, respirations, fetal heart rate,
Oxytocic agent increases multiparity, hyperactive or oxytocin with excessive fluid cervical lacerations, intrauterine pressure, contractions (duration, strength,
prostaglandin hypertonic uterus, obstetric volume has caused severe uterine hypertonus, frequency)
production emergencies that favor water intoxication with uterine rupture. 2. Notify physician of contractions that last longer than 1
surgical intervention, seizures, coma, death HERBAL: None min, occur more frequently than every 2 min,
prematurity, unengaged significant. or stop.
fetal head, unfavorable fetal FOOD: None known. 3. Maintain careful I&O; be alert to potential water
position/presentation, when intoxication.
vaginal delivery is 4. Check for blood loss.
contraindicated
(e.g., active genital herpes Patient/Family Teaching:
infection, invasive cervical 1. Keep the patient, family/Significant other informed
cancer, placenta previa, about labor progress.
cord presentation).

Cautions:
Induction of labor should be
for medical, not
elective, reasons. Generally
not recommended in fetal
distress, hydramnios,
partial placental previa,
predisposition to uterine
rupture