Drug / Fluid Class Indication / Uses Nursing Considerations

Rapid IV push + flush NS;

Adenosine PSVT conversion to
Antiarrhythmic monitor ECG; warn pt of
(Tachycard) sinus rhythm
chest discomfort/flushing
Give chewable in MI;
Acute MI, angina,
Aspirin (Aspilets EC) Antiplatelet, NSAID monitor bleeding, GI
stroke prevention
upset, allergy
Monitor ECG, BP,
Amiodarone Antiarrhythmic
VFib, VTach, AFib thyroid/liver/lung; central
(Eurothmic) (Class III)
line preferred
Anti-Tetanus Serum Do skin test; monitor for
Immunoglobulin Tetanus prophylaxis
(Antitet) anaphylaxis
Symptomatic
bradycardia, Monitor HR, rhythm; SE:
Atropine Anticholinergic
organophosphate dry mouth, blurred vision
poisoning
Statin Hyperlipidemia, CV Monitor LFTs, CK; avoid
Atorvastatin (Atorvast)
(Antilipidemic) prevention grapefruit juice
Monitor RR, HR; SE:
Salbutamol (Ventolin) Beta-2 agonist Acute asthma, COPD
tremors, palpitations
Budesonide + Corticosteroid + Asthma/COPD Rinse mouth; monitor RR,
Formoterol (Breecort) LABA maintenance HR; don’t stop abruptly
Monitor neuro status; SE:
Citicoline (Synapse) Neuroprotective Stroke, TBI
headache, insomnia
Monitor bleeding; avoid
Stroke/MI/PAD
Clopidogrel (Plavix) Antiplatelet NSAIDs; stop before
prevention
surgery
D5LR / D5NSS / NSS / IV fluids Hydration, Monitor I&O, electrolytes,
EuroSol-M / D5W (Crystalloids) resuscitation fluid overload
Apical HR (hold <60
Digoxin (Lanoxin) Cardiac glycoside HF, AFib bpm); monitor K+; toxicity
signs (nausea, halos)
Diphenhydramine Allergy, anaphylaxis May cause sedation, dry
Antihistamine
(Benadryl/Soniphen) adjunct mouth; caution elderly
Cardiogenic shock, Continuous ECG, BP;
Dobutamine Inotrope
HF titrate infusion
Monitor ECG, BP, urine
Inotrope,
Dopamine (Intropin) Shock, hypotension output; extravasation →
vasopressor
necrosis
Smooth muscle Monitor BP; SE:
Drotaverine (Drotin) Antispasmodic
spasm dizziness, headache
SC only (don’t expel air
LMWH
Enoxaparin (Lovenox) DVT, PE, ACS bubble); monitor bleeding,
Anticoagulant
platelets
Anaphylaxis, cardiac Correct dilution (IM vs IV);
Epinephrine (Ebbisab) Sympathomimetic
arrest monitor ECG, HR, BP
Esomeprazole Proton Pump GERD, stress ulcer Give before meals;
(Nexpro) Inhibitor prophylaxis monitor Mg, diarrhea risk
Pulmonary edema, Monitor I&O, K+; risk of
Furosemide (Furosan) Loop diuretic
HTN, HF hypokalemia; daily weight
Monitor BP, glucose,
Hydrocortisone Shock, asthma,
Corticosteroid infection; taper if long-
(Hydrovex) adrenal insufficiency
term
 Drug / Fluid Class Indication / Uses Nursing Considerations
Iron deficiency Slow IV; monitor for
Iron Sucrose (Venofer) Antianemic
anemia hypotension, allergy
Ventricular
Antiarrhythmic / Monitor ECG, CNS
Lidocaine HCl 2% arrhythmia,
Local anesthetic toxicity
anesthesia
Levocarnitine Monitor muscle strength,
Metabolic agent Carnitine deficiency
(Carnitene) GI tolerance
Mannitol 20% Increased ICP, Use filter (crystallizes);
Osmotic diuretic
(Euromed) cerebral edema monitor I&O, electrolytes
Severe asthma,
Methylprednisolone Monitor BP, glucose;
Corticosteroid anaphylaxis, CNS
(Metvex) infection risk
trauma
Give before meals;
Metoclopramide Nausea, vomiting,
Antiemetic monitor EPS (tremors,
(Primperan) gastroparesis
rigidity)
Nicardipine Calcium channel Hypertensive Monitor BP closely; SE:
(Cardepine) blocker emergency reflex tachycardia, edema
Calcium channel HTN, angina, preterm Monitor BP, HR; avoid
Nifedipine (Adalat)
blocker labor (off-label) grapefruit juice
Isosorbide Dinitrate Monitor BP; SE:
Nitrate vasodilator Angina, CHF
(Isordil) headache, dizziness
Rotate patch sites;
Nitroglycerin Patch Angina prophylaxis,
Nitrate vasodilator remove at night; monitor
(Transderm-Nitro) CHF
BP
Noradrenaline Septic shock, severe Central line preferred;
Vasopressor
(Norepinephrine) hypotension monitor BP, perfusion
Proton Pump GERD, ulcer, stress Give before meals;
Omeprazole (Losec)
Inhibitor ulcer prophylaxis monitor Mg, diarrhea
Paracetamol Analgesic, Fever, mild/moderate Max 4g/day; monitor liver
(Biogesic) antipyretic pain function
Give slow IV; monitor
Protamine Sulfate
Antidote Heparin overdose coagulation, hypotension
(Menaright)
risk
Monitor fluid balance,
Resuscitation, burns,
Lactated Ringer’s (LR) IV fluid electrolytes; avoid in liver
surgery
disease
Hydration, dilution, Monitor for fluid overload,
Plain NSS (1L) IV fluid
drug carrier electrolytes
Aseptic technique; check
PNSS 50mL IV diluent For IV meds
compatibility
Never IV push; dilute +
Potassium Chloride
Electrolyte Hypokalemia slow infusion; monitor
(KCl)
ECG, K+
Metabolic acidosis, Monitor ABGs,
Sodium Bicarbonate
Alkalinizing agent cardiac arrest, electrolytes; risk of
8.4%
hyperkalemia alkalosis
Sterile Water
Diluent Med reconstitution Not for IV infusion alone
(Euromed)
Tranexamic Acid Trauma, hemorrhage, Give slow IV; monitor
Antifibrinolytic
(Hemostan) postpartum bleeding thrombosis risk
Severe systemic Test dose first; monitor
Amphotericin B Antifungal
fungal infection renal function, electrolytes