DRUG

CLASSIFICATION

GENERIC
NAME:
furosemide
DOSAGE:
40 mg
ROUTE:
P.O

Loop Diuretic

MECHANISM OF
ACTION

INDICATION

Inhibits
Accumulation
reabsorption of of fluids in the
sodium and
peritoneum
chloride from the
proximal and
distal tubules
and ascending
limb of the loop
of Henle, leading
to a sodium- rich
diuresis.

SIDE EFFECTS
Headache,
drowsiness, fatigue,
blurred vision and
tinnitus, Dizziness,
vertigo,
paresthesias,
weakness,
orthostatic
hypotension,
photosensitivity and
urticaria

TIMING:
BID

FREQUENCY:
8am and
6pm

Source: 2011 Lippincotts Nursing Drug Guide

ADVERSE EFFECT
hepatic
encephalopathy,
pancreatitis,
increased liver,
enzymes,
1. anorexia, tinnitus,
hearing loss,
paresthesias,
Stevens-Johnson
Syndrome, oral and
gastric irritation

NURSING CONSIDERATION

Check blood pressure

before giving the drug.
Monitor intake and
output.

PATIENT TEACHING

Instruct patient to move

slowly when changing
positions to minimize
orthostatic hypotension.

Weigh the patient daily.

Give early in the day so
that increased urination
will not disturb sleep.

Advise patient to report

immediately to physician
if rash, muscle
weakness, cramps,
nausea, dizziness,
numbness, or tingling of
extremities occurs.

Administer with food to

Instruct patient to report
prevent GI upset.
swelling in the ankles or
fingers, unusual bleeding
Arrange to monitor
or bruising, trembling,
serum electrolytes,
fatigue, or cramps.
hydration, liver and
renal function.
Arrange for potassiumrich diet or
supplemental
potassium as needed.

DRUG

CLASSIFICATION

MECHANISM
OF ACTION

GENERIC
NAME:

Macrolide
antibiotic

Bacteriostatic
or bactericidal
in susceptible
bacteria.

azithromycin

DOSAGE:
500mg
ROUTE:
P.O
TIMING:
OD
FREQUENCY:

8am

INDICATION

Treatment of
lower respiratory
infections: Acute
bacterial
exacerbations of
COPD and
communityacquired
pneumonia.
Treatment of
lower respiratory
infections:
Streptococcal
pharyngitis and
tonsillitis.

SIDE EFFECTS

NURSING CONSIDERATION

Dizziness,
headache, vertigo,
fatigue, vomiting,
melena and rash,

Check for allergic

reaction.
monitor patients
Diarrhea,
nutritional status,
abdominal pain
and mouth care.
and nausea
ADVERSE EFFECT

angioedema

Instruct patient to
report severe or
watery diarrhea,
severe nausea or
vomiting, rash or
itching, mouth sores

Administer 2-3 hours

Instruct patient to
after meals.
report immediately
to physician if
Inform patient about
experiencing
the side effects of
Tinnitus.
the drug.
Monitor for signs of
complications.
Use cautiously in
patients with hepatic
or renal disease.

Source: 2011 Lippincotts Nursing Drug Guide

PATIENT TEACHING

DRUG

CLASSIFICATION

GENERIC
NAME:
Mucolytic
acetylcysteine
DOSAGE:
600mg in 50 cc
h2O

ROUTE:

P.O
TIMING:

BID

MECHANISM OF
ACTION

Mucolytic
activity: splits
links in the
mucoproteins
contained in
respiratory
mucus
secretions,
decreasing the
viscosity of
the mucus

FREQUENCY:

8am-6pm

Source: 2011 Lippincotts Nursing Drug Guide

INDICATION

Adjuvant
therapy for
abnormal,
viscid, or
inspissated
mucus
secretions in
acute and
chronic
bronchopulmonary

disease.

SIDE EFFECTS

NURSING CONSIDERATION

Fever,
Assess type,
drowsiness
frequency, and
tachycardia,
characteristics of
hypotension,
cough. Particularly
hypertension,
note sputum. If
Nausea,
cough doesnt clear
vomiting,
rhinorrhea
secretions, prepare
ADVERSE
to perform
EFFECT
mechanical
Hepatoxicity,
suctioning.
bronchospasm,
angioedema,
Anaphylactoid Monitor for
tachycardia
reactions

PATIENT TEACHING

Instruct patient to
notify the physician
immediately about
nausea, rash, or
vomiting
Warn patient about
acetyl cysteines
unpleasant smell;
reassure patient that
it will subsides as
treatment
progresses.

DRUG

CLASSIFICATION

GENERIC NAME:

Potassium
sparing
diuretic

spironolactone
DOSAGE:

25mg

ROUTE:

MECHANISM
OF ACTION

INDICATION

Competitively Adjunctive therapy

blocks the
for hepatic cirrhosis
effects of
aldosterone in
the renal
tubule, causing
loss of sodium
and water and
retention of
potassium.

P.O.

TIMING:

BID

FREQUENCY:

8am-6pm

Source: 2011 Lippincotts Nursing Drug Guide

SIDE EFFECTS

Fatigue, ataxia,
confusion, urticarial, dry
mouth, thirst, vomiting,
impotence, irregular
menses and amenorrhea
Dizziness, headache,
drowsiness, rash,
diarrhea and cramping
ADVERSE EFFECT
GI bleeding,
agranulocytosis,
hyperkalemia,

NURSING CONSIDERATION

Monitor
electrolytes

PATIENT TEACHING

Inform patient
that the drug
may increase her
Measure and record urination
episodes.
regular weight to
monitor
mobilization of
Instruct patient
edema fluid.
to avoid foods
that are rich in
potassium.
Give daily doses
early so that
increase urination
does not interfere
with sleep.
Arrange for regular
evaluation of serum
electrolytes and
BUN.

DRUG

CLASSIFICATION MECHANISM OF

INDICATION

SIDE EFFECTS

Treatment of
constipation.

Diarrhea, nausea,
electrolyte
imbalance,
intestinal cramps
and belching

NURSING CONSIDERATION

PATIENT TEACHING

ACTION
GENERIC
NAME:

Lactulose
DOSAGE:

30cc
ROUTE:

P.O.
TIMING:

BID
FREQUENCY:

Hyperosmotic
laxative

The drug passes

unchanged into
the colon where
bacteria break it
down to organic
acids that increase
the osmotic
pressure in the
colon and slightly
acidify the colonic
contents, resulting
in an increase in
stool water
content, stool
softening, laxative
action.

8am,6pm

ADVERSE EFFECT

Transient
flatulence,
distention,
diarrhea with
potential
complications such
as loss of fluids,
hypokalemia, and
hypernatremia.

Give laxative syrup

orally with fruit juice,
water, or milk to
increase palatability.
Do not administer
other laxatives while
using lactulose
Monitor serum
ammonia levels.

Evaluate therapeutic
response: decreased
constipation or blood
ammonia level.

Assess amount, colour

and consistency of
stool.

Source: 2011 Lippincotts Nursing Drug Guide

Instruct patient that

this drug can be mix
with water, juice or
milk to make it more
tolerable.
Instruct to make
sure she has ready
access to bathroom;
bowel movements
will be increased 2
or 3 per day.
Inform patient that
she may experience
these side effects:
abdominal fullness,
flatulence, belching
Instruct patient to
report diarrhea,
severe belching and
abdominal fullness.

DRUG

CLASSIFICATION

MECHANISM OF
ACTION

GENERIC
NAME:

Antiasthmatic

Albuterol/ipratropium
is a combination
product consisting of
two bronchodilators,

combivent
DOSAGE:

1 neb

ROUTE:

Nasal
inhilation

TIMING:

STAT

&
COPD
preparations

albuterol
(Proventil; Ventolin)
and ipratropium
(Atrovent) that is used
in the treatment of
chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease
(bronchitis and
emphysema) when
there is evidence of
spasm (narrowing) of
the airways (bronchi).
Bronchodilators dilate
or enlarge the airways
by relaxing the muscles
surrounding the
airways. Albuterol and
ipratropium work by
different mechanisms,
but both cause the
muscles of the airways
to relax. Albuterol is a
bronchodilator of the
beta-2 agonist type.

Source: 2011 Lippincotts Nursing Drug Guide

INDICATION

SIDE EFFECTS

NURSING
CONSIDERATION

PATIENT TEACHING

Management
dizziness,
Assess Vital
Instruct patient to
of reversible
nervousness
Signs before
rinse mouth with
bronchospasm
vomiting,
drug
water after using
associated
palpitation,
administration
the nebulizer to
with
edema, fatigue,
minimize dry
obstructive
diaphoresis,
Use cautiously in mouth.
airway
palpitations or
patients with
diseases in
chest pain
cardiovascular Instruct patient to
patients who
disorders.
contact health
ADVERSE EFFECT
require more
care professional
hypertension
,
than a single
immediately if
bronchodilator paresthesia, trem
shortness of
or, tachycardia,
breath is relieved
Arthralgia,
by medication or
angina,
is accompanied by
Nasopharyngitis,
diaphoresis,
cough, headache,
bronchitis, upper
dizziness,
respiratory
palpitations or
infection,
chest pain
dyspnea.

DRUG

CLASSIFICATION

MECHANISM OF
ACTION

GENERIC
NAME:

Topical antiviral, skin

protectant.

Stimulates the
nerve endings, thus
temporarily
relieves discomfort
and itching. Mild
antiseptic
ingredients also
help to prevent
secondary bacterial
and fungal
infections of the
skin.

calmoseptine
DOSAGE:

ROUTE:
Topical

TIMING:
TID

FREQUENCY:
8-1-6

Source: 2011 Lippincotts Nursing Drug Guide

INDICATION

Used to treat
Decubitus ulcer
and decreases
moisture on the
affected part.
Used to treat
diaper rash, minor
burns, severely
chapped skin, or
other minor skin
irritations.
Protects, soothes
& helps promote
healing in those
w/impaired skin
integrity related
to burns due to
flame, radiation or
chemicals

SIDE EFFECTS

No common
side effects
have been
reported with
this product.
ADVERSE EFFECT

No common
side effects
have been
reported with
this product.

NURSING
CONSIDERATION

PATIENT TEACHING

Apply ointment Avoid getting this

medication in
after wound
your mouth or
dressing.
eyes. If it does
get into any of
Apply 2-4 times
these areas rinse
daily or as
with water right
necessary to
away.
promote
comfort and
Instruct S.O to
protection.
turn patient
every two hours.
Method of
application:
a. Gently clean the Teach S.O on how
to do wound
skin with a mild
cleanser and/or
dressing.
water.
b. Pat the area dry
with a clean
towel or gauze.
c. Apply a small
amount
of Calmoseptine
Ointment to
cover the area
completely.