Medications - Descriptions Flashcards
(29 cards)
Adenosine
Description
Adenosine transiently blocks conduction through the AV node thereby terminating reentrant tachycardias (think PSVT). It will not terminate dysrhythmias that do not involve the AV node as a reentrant limb.
Albuterol
Description
Selective beta-2 agonist. It is a bronchodilator and positive chronotrope.
Amiodarone
Description
Amiodarone has multiple effects on Phase 1,2,3, and 4 with a quick onset. The dominant effect is prolongation of the action potential duration and the refractory period.
Aspirin (ASA)
Description
Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and blood clotting and is indicated for treatment of acute coronary syndrome in which platelet aggregation is a major component of the pathophysiology. It is also an analgesic and anti-pyretic.
Atropine
Description
Atropine is an endogenous anti-muscarinic, anti-cholinergic substance. It is the prototypical anticholinergic medication with the following effects:
Increased heart rate and AV node conduction
Decreased GI motility
Urinary retention
Pupillary dilation
Decreased sweat, tear, and saliva production
Calcium Gluconate
Description
Cardioprotective agent in hyperkalemia
Cyanokit
Description
Antidote to hydrogen cyanide gas, contains hydroxocobalamin, a precursor to Vitamin B-12, which binds to cyanide and neutralizes it so the poison is no longer toxic. The chemical is then eliminated through urination.
Dextrose 50%
Description
Glucose is the body’s basic fuel and is required for cellular metabolism. A sudden drop in blood sugar level will result in disturbances of normal metabolism, manifested clinically as a decrease in mental status, sweating, and tachycardia. Further decreases may result in coma, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias
Diazepam (Valium)
Description
Benzodiazepine class sedative-hypnotice and anti-convulsant skeletal muscle relaxant
Benadryl
Description
Antihistamine for treating histamine-mediated symptoms of allergic reaction. Also, anti-cholinergic and anti-parkinsonian effects used for treating dystonic reactions caused by anti-psychotic and anti-emetic medications.
Dopamine
Description
Endogenous catecholamine chemically related to epinephrine and norepinephrine. Increases blood pressure through combination of a dopamine, alpha and beta receptor effects leading to increased heart rate, contractility and peripheral vasoconstriction.
Droperidol
Description
Butyrophenone derivative closely related to haloperidol. Droperidol produces a dopaminergic blockage, a mild alpha-adrenergic blockage, and causes peripheral vasodilation. Its major actions are sedation, tranquilization, and potent anti-emetic effects.
DuoDote
Description
DuoDote Nerve Agent antidote kit consists of one auto-injector for self and/or buddy administration. One injector contains 2.1mg atropine and 600mg pralixdoxime chloride (2-PAM).
Epinephrine
Description
Endogenous catecholamine alpha, beta-1, and beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. Causes dose-related increase in heart rate, myocardial contractility and oxygen demand, peripheral vasoconstriction and bronchodilation.
Fentanyl
Description
Potent synthetic opioid analgesic.
Glucagon
Description
Increases blood sugar concentration by converting liver glycogen to glucose. Glucagon also causes relaxation of smooth muscle of the stomach, duodenum, small bowel, and colon.
Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent) (Description)
Ipratropium Bromide is an anticholinergic, anti-muscarinic bronchodilator chemically related to atropine.
Magnesium Sulfate
Description
Magnesium sulfate reduces striated muscle contractions and blocks peripheral neuromuscular transmission by reducing acetylcholine release at the myoneural junction. In cardiac patients, it stabilizes the potassium pump, correcting depolarization. It also shortens the Q-T interval in the presence of ventricular arrhythmias due to drug toxicity or electrolyte imbalance. In respiratory patients, it may act as a bronchodilator in acute bronchospasm due to asthma or other bronchospastic diseases. In patients suffering from eclampsia, it controls seizures by blocking neuromuscular transmission and lowers blood pressure as well as decreases cerebral vasospasm.
Methyprednisolone (Solu-medrol)
Description
Methyprednisolone is a synthetic steroid that suppresses acute and chronic inflammation and may alter the immune response. In addition, it potentiates vascular smooth muscle relaxation by beta-adrenergic agonists and may alter airway hyperactivity.
Midazolam (Versed)
Description
Midazolam HCL is a water-soluble short acting benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic. It is believed that benzodiazepines exert their effect on the GABA receptor to create anxiolysis, sedation, and muscle relaxation.
Morphine
Description
Morphine is an opioid analgesic. Morphine causes analgesia, euphoria, respiratory depression and complex hemodynamic effects, including hypotension caused by histamine release.
Naloxone (Narcan)
Description
Competitive opioid receptor antagonist
Nitroglycerine
Description
Short-acting peripheral vasodilator (smooth muscle veins) decreasing cardiac preload and afterload.
Ondansetron (Zofran)
Description
Ondansetron is a selective serotonin receptor antagonist anti-emetic.
