Drug Classification Uses Action Common and Severe Nursing Must Remember
Side Effect Responsibility
Analgesics Analgesics are used to Different analgesics • Constipation or • Nurses should • Use the least
relieve pain and work in different ways. diarrhea understand invasive
inflammation. For • Opioids reduces the • Upset stomach, pharmacology, medication that is
example: pain signals sent by heartburn, or side effects and anticipated to
• After surgery. the nervous system stomach ulcers risks of opioids, treat the level of
• Due to injury, such as and the brain’s • Ringing in the so they can pain reported by
fractured bone. reaction to those ears ensure these the patient.
• For acute (sudden, pain signals. • Allergic reactions, medicines are • Analgesics relieve
short-term) pain, • Acetaminophen including itchy administered pain but do not
such as a twisted works by changing skin or rashes safely. address its
ankle or headache. the way the body • Heart problems • The nurse should underlying cause.
• For aches and pains senses pain. • Problems forming assess for
like menstrual cramps • NSAIDs blood clots, which decrease in pain
or muscle soreness. (Nonsteroidal Anti- can lead to 30 minutes after
• For chronic painful Inflammatory Drug) excessive IC administration
conditions such as work by reducing bleeding. and 60 minutes
arthritis, cancer or inflammation at the after oral
back pain. site of pain. medication. If the
patient’s pain
level is not
acceptable, the
nurse should
investigate
alternate
, treatment
modalities.
Antiseizure/ Healthcare providers In general, antiseizure Common side effects • Monitor for • For antiseizure
Anti-epileptics prescribe antiseizure medications work by include: adverse effects na medication to
medications to treat controlling abnormal • Headaches provide work at its best, it
epilepsy and electrical activity in your • Fatigue appropriate needs to be taken
symptomatic seizures. brain. Antiseizure • Dizziness supportive care regularly at around
They also prescribe these medications work in • Blurred vision as needed to help the same time or
medications to prevent different ways to either • Nausea patient cope with times of each day.
and/or treat seizures that reduce excitation or • Weight gain or these effects. If a dose is missed
happen during or promote inhibition of loss • Monitor CBC at the time is
following brain surgery. processes that result in • Mood changes results to detect usually taken:
But certain antiseizure electrical signals. • Abdominal pain bone marrow o Once a day
medications may also Specifically, they can act • Sleepiness suppression early – take the
help treat: by: and provide forgotten
• Irritability
• Anxiety • Changing electrical prompt dose as
• Anxiety
• Migraine headaches activity in neurons by intervention. soon as you
• Bipolar disorder affecting ion
Some side effects are • Discontinue the remember
• Neuropathic pain (sodium, potassium,
common to drug at any sign it; or
• Fibromyalgia calcium and/or of o Twice a day
antiepileptic
• Restless leg chloride) channels. hypersensitivity – take the
medications when
syndrome • Changing chemical prescribed at too reaction, liver forgotten
• Parkinson’s disease transmission dysfunction, and dose if you
great a dose and are
between neuron by sever skin rash. remember
similar to being
affecting “drunk.” Examples • Provide comfort within six
neurotransmitters measures to help hours after
are:
(like GABA). patient tolerate it was due.
• Unsteadiness
But for some antiseizure drug effects. Otherwise
• Poor
medications, researchers
concentration • Provide safety don’t take
don’t know precisely measures to the
• Sleepiness
how they work. prevent injuries. forgotten
• Double vision
• Educate client on dose and
• Vomiting just take
drug therapy to
• Tremor the next
promote
understanding dose at the
Some side effects are due time.
and compliance.
peculiar to individual
, medications and only
occur in some people
like:
• Rash
• Blood problems
• Liver problems
• Severe behavior
disturbance
• Worsening of
seizure control
Meds for • Anti-parkinsonism • Anti-parkinsonism - Anti-parkinsonism Anti-parkinsonism Anti-parkinsonism
Neurodegenerative drugs are mainly used Dopamine-receptor • Depression, • Decrease dose of • Have patient void
Diseases to treat the agonists work by suicidal ideation, drug as ordered if before taking the
symptoms of binding to dopamine hallucinations, therapy has been drugs to decrease
Parkinson’s disease or receptors on and intense urges interrupted to risk of urinary
other conditions of dopaminergic with inability to prevent systemic retention.
parkinsinism. neurons (the control them dopaminergic • Give drug with
neurons that • Somnolence and effects. meals to alleviate
normally synthesize fatigue • Evaluate disease GI irritation if
and use dopamine) • Neuroleptic progress and present.
in the malignant signs and
neurotransmitter’s syndrome (NMS) symptoms
absence. Stimulation symptoms with periodically for
of the receptors dose reductions reference of
increases or when disease progress
dopaminergic activity discontinued and drug
in the brain, thereby • Dyskinesia response.
lessening the • Discolored body • Monitor bowel
severity of fluids function and
parkinsonism • Hypomobility istitute bowel
symptoms. with long-term program if
use. constipation is
severe.
• Monitor
laboratory test
results to detect
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