NURS 3243 Study Guide for Clinical Final 2026 Complete And Verified Study material) (24pages) LEARNEXAMS

Medications (know the action, why given, key SE, data needed to give the drug)

Antibiotics:

● Penicillin:

â—‹ Action: Penicillin kills bacteria by interfering with the ability to synthesize cell wall

which leads to the cell wall rupturing

â—‹ Why given: antimicrobial used in the treatment and prevention of bacterial

infection

â—‹ Key SE: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, itching, and black

"hairy" tongue

â—‹ Data needed: infection present, high temperature

â—‹ Other: Do not use if pt. is allergic to other forms of penicillin or cephalosporins

● Cephalosporins

â—‹ Action: block the bacteria from making a cell wall (

â—‹ Why given: antimicrobial used in the treatment and prevention of bacterial

infection

â—‹ Key SE: stomach discomfort, N&V, diarrhea, Thrush, yeast infection or other

fungal infection

● Aminoglycosides (ex. Gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin,streptomycin, neomycin)

â—‹ Action: inhibits protein synthesis

â—‹ Why given: used when other less toxic antibiotics are contraindicated or

ineffective

â—‹ Key SE: ear damage (ringing, buzzing, or feeling of fullness), kidney damage,

increased thirst, skin rash or itchiness

● Sulfonamides

â—‹ Action: Bacteriostatic - they inhibit the growth of bacteria but do not kill them

â—‹ Why given: Usually used to treat UTIs

○ Key SE: Steven Johnson’s Syndrome, dizziness, skin rash, fever, sore throat,

cough, shortness of breath

â—‹ Data: do not use if pregnant

Anticoagulants:

● Heparin

â—‹ Action: inactivates thrombin and activated factor X (factor Xa) through an

antithrombin (AT)-dependent mechanism

â—‹ Why given: Heparin is used to treat and prevent blood clots in the veins, arteries,

or lung. It is also used before surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots

â—‹ Key SE: N&V, unusual bleeding, sweating, hives, trouble breathing

â—‹ Data: You should not use this medication if you have uncontrolled bleeding or a

severe lack of platelets in your blood.

â–  The heparin dose is changed so that the PTT or APTT result is about 1.5

to 2.5 times the normal value

â–  Normal clotting: 25-35 sec. Heparin clotting: 60-80 sec*