300 Nursing Pharmacology Flashcards by Drug Class Deck

If you can name the class, the nursing priorities should come with it.

300 cardsLast updated 2026-08-30

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Nursing pharmacology gets messy when names pile up faster than patterns stick. You may recognize a drug on sight, then stall on what the class does, what changes absorption or excretion, or which adverse effects need your attention right away. The hard part is not recognizing the term. It is pulling the right nursing focus and watch-outs back out when you need them. This deck cuts the subject into 300 cards that stay at class and concept level, so knowledge transfers across brand names. The sections are principles (40), cardiovascular (55), neuro-and-psych (50), infection-and-immunity (50), endocrine-and-gi (55), and respiratory-and-renal (50). Each card covers a class, suffix, or concept and uses the same back-of-card fields: Meaning, Nursing focus, and Watch for. A card on Absorption, Fluoroquinolones, or -zolamide trains the same pattern of recall every time. When these cards are on a spaced-repetition schedule, the items you can answer cleanly stop crowding your reviews, and the ones you miss keep coming back until they settle. The deck leaves out doses and treatment instructions on purpose, so your time stays on mechanism, nursing priorities, and adverse-effect patterns that carry from one drug name to the next.

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Showing 100 representative cards from the full 300-card deck.

Front	Back
Absorption	Meaning: Movement of a drug from the administration site into the bloodstream. Nursing focus: Check route, GI function, skin integrity, and timing with food because these change onset. Watch for: Vomiting, diarrhea, poor perfusion, or food and antacid interactions that reduce uptake.
Excretion	Meaning: Removal of drugs or metabolites from the body, mainly by the kidneys. Nursing focus: Track urine output, renal history, hydration, and drugs that depend on renal clearance. Watch for: Accumulation and toxicity when kidney function declines or dehydration occurs.
Half-life	Meaning: Time needed for the amount of drug in the body to fall by about half. Nursing focus: Use it to anticipate dosing interval, time to steady state, and duration of adverse effects. Watch for: Accumulation with repeated dosing or prolonged toxicity after an overdose.
Hepatic impairment	Meaning: Reduced liver function that can lower metabolism, change protein binding, and alter first-pass handling. Nursing focus: Review liver disease, alcohol use, nutrition, and interacting drugs before giving hepatically cleared meds. Watch for: Excess sedation, bleeding, jaundice, or rising toxicity with usual doses.
Pharmacodynamics	Meaning: Study of what a drug does to the body, including receptor effects and clinical response. Nursing focus: Relate expected benefit to symptoms, vital signs, and adverse effects. Watch for: Additive effects with drugs that act on the same system.
Potency	Meaning: Amount of drug needed to produce a given effect compared with another drug. Nursing focus: Do not equate higher potency with better therapy. Use the ordered drug and judge the clinical response. Watch for: Unexpected toxicity or poor control after a formulation or agent change.
Therapeutic index	Meaning: Margin between effective exposure and toxic exposure. A narrow index means less room for error. Nursing focus: Verify the order carefully and monitor response, adverse effects, and interactions closely. Watch for: Small changes in therapy, missed doses, or interactions causing toxicity or loss of control.
Oral route	Meaning: Drug is swallowed and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Nursing focus: Check swallowing ability, nausea, bowel status, and whether food changes absorption. Watch for: Aspiration, vomiting, tube feed or antacid interactions, and first-pass loss of effect.
Intravenous route	Meaning: Drug is delivered directly into the bloodstream for immediate systemic availability. Nursing focus: Confirm patency, compatibility, site condition, and the need for rapid effect. Watch for: Infiltration, phlebitis, infection, and immediate severe reactions.
Rights of administration	Meaning: Safety framework to verify the correct patient, drug, dose, route, time, and related documentation or reason. Nursing focus: Use two identifiers, compare the order with the label, and question anything that does not fit the patient. Watch for: Look alike or sound alike drugs, interruptions, allergy conflicts, and transcription errors.
Maintenance dose	Meaning: The repeated dose schedule that replaces drug eliminated from the body and keeps levels in the desired range. Nursing focus: Adjust to clinical response and changes in kidney function, liver function, hydration, and age. Watch for: Accumulation and toxicity if clearance falls. Loss of effect if missed doses or interactions lower levels.
Cytochrome P450 induction	Meaning: Increased CYP enzyme activity that speeds metabolism of affected drugs and lowers their concentration. Nursing focus: Ask about smoking, herbals, and new drugs. Monitor for reduced response after an inducer is started and for stronger effects or toxicity after it is withdrawn. Watch for: Treatment failure or withdrawal can occur while the inducer is present. Toxicity can appear after it is stopped. Some inducers also reduce hormonal contraceptive effectiveness.
Synergism	Meaning: Combined drug effect is greater than expected from simply adding the individual effects. Nursing focus: Anticipate stronger responses when certain drugs or alcohol are used together. Monitor closely after changes. Watch for: Profound CNS depression, respiratory depression, or severe hypotension.
Idiosyncratic reaction	Meaning: An unusual unpredictable response not explained by the drug's usual action. Nursing focus: Ask about prior unusual drug reactions. Stop the drug and report severe unexpected effects promptly. Watch for: Rash, confusion, severe agitation, or organ injury out of proportion to expected effects.
Rectal route	Meaning: Medication is inserted into the rectum for local treatment or systemic absorption when oral use is limited. Nursing focus: Assess bowel pattern, bleeding, and ability to retain the medication. Protect privacy and explain the procedure. Watch for: Erratic absorption. Avoid or question use with rectal bleeding or recent rectal surgery.
ACE inhibitors	Meaning: Block formation of angiotensin II. This lowers vasoconstriction and aldosterone, reducing blood pressure and cardiac workload. Nursing focus: Assess blood pressure, renal status, and potassium. Teach slow position changes and to avoid potassium salt substitutes. Watch for: Dry cough, angioedema, hyperkalemia, and rising creatinine. Report facial swelling at once.
Beta blockers	Meaning: Block beta receptors to slow heart rate and reduce contractility and renin release. Lowers blood pressure and oxygen demand. Nursing focus: Check pulse, blood pressure, and signs of bronchospasm. Teach not to stop abruptly and to rise slowly. Watch for: Bradycardia, heart block, fatigue, and bronchospasm with nonselective agents. They can mask hypoglycemia.
Loop diuretics	Meaning: Block sodium and chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle. Produce strong diuresis and reduce edema. Nursing focus: Monitor fluid status, daily weight, blood pressure, kidney function, and potassium. Schedule earlier in the day when possible. Watch for: Dehydration, hypotension, hypokalemia, and ototoxicity. Low potassium can increase digoxin toxicity risk.
Potassium-sparing diuretics	Meaning: Promote mild diuresis while conserving potassium. Some agents also block aldosterone effects. Nursing focus: Monitor potassium, renal function, blood pressure, and use of high-potassium foods or salt substitutes. Watch for: Hyperkalemia, endocrine effects with some agents, and worsening kidney function.
Class I antiarrhythmics	Meaning: Block fast sodium channels to slow impulse conduction in cardiac tissue. Nursing focus: Monitor ECG, rhythm, blood pressure, and signs of new or worsening arrhythmia. Watch for: QRS widening, reduced contractility, and proarrhythmia.
QT prolongation	Meaning: Delayed ventricular repolarization on ECG that can be drug induced and can lead to torsades de pointes. Nursing focus: Review ECG trends, potassium and magnesium status, and all QT-prolonging medicines. Watch for: Syncope, palpitations, torsades de pointes, and sudden rhythm deterioration.
Heparins	Meaning: Enhance antithrombin activity to inhibit clotting factors. Used for rapid anticoagulation. Nursing focus: Monitor for bleeding, bruising, platelets, and signs of spinal or epidural hematoma when neuraxial procedures are involved. Watch for: Bleeding and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Avoid unnecessary IM injections and other bleeding risks.
Direct oral anticoagulants	Meaning: Directly inhibit thrombin or factor Xa to reduce clot formation without routine INR monitoring. Nursing focus: Assess renal function, adherence, bleeding, and planned procedures. Teach not to double missed doses. Watch for: Bleeding and accumulation with renal impairment. Strong P-gp or CYP3A4 interactions can alter effect.
Statins	Meaning: Inhibit hepatic cholesterol synthesis and increase LDL receptor activity. Lower LDL and cardiovascular risk. Nursing focus: Monitor for muscle symptoms, liver symptoms, and interaction risk. Reinforce diet changes and adherence. Watch for: Myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and liver injury. Some interacting drugs raise toxicity risk.
Bile acid sequestrants	Meaning: Bind bile acids in the gut so cholesterol is used to make more bile acids. Lower LDL. Nursing focus: Teach to separate them from other oral drugs. Monitor bowel pattern and support fluid and fiber intake. Watch for: Constipation, bloating, and reduced absorption of many medicines and fat-soluble vitamins.
Cardiac glycosides	Meaning: Increase contractility and slow AV conduction. Can improve symptoms in heart failure and control some atrial rhythms. Nursing focus: Assess apical pulse, rhythm, renal function, and potassium status. Teach patients to report nausea or vision changes. Watch for: Digoxin toxicity, bradycardia, AV block, and arrhythmias. Low potassium increases risk.
SGLT2 inhibitors	Meaning: Promote urinary glucose and sodium loss and reduce heart failure events, even in some patients without diabetes. Nursing focus: Monitor volume status, kidney function, genital hygiene teaching, and sick-day guidance. Watch for: Genital infections, dehydration, ketoacidosis, and worsening hypotension.
Alpha-1 blockers	Meaning: Block peripheral alpha-1 receptors to relax arterioles and veins. They can also improve urinary outflow in BPH. Nursing focus: Check sitting and standing BP. Teach slow position changes and caution with the first doses. Watch for: First-dose syncope, dizziness, and additive hypotension with PDE-5 inhibitors or alcohol.
First-dose phenomenon	Meaning: Marked hypotension after the initial dose of some vasodilating antihypertensives, especially alpha-1 blockers. Nursing focus: Give fall-prevention teaching. Ask about dizziness and advise rising slowly from bed or chairs. Watch for: Syncope, dizziness, and injury from falls.
Osmotic diuretics	Meaning: Filtered osmoles that pull water into the renal tubule, increasing urine output and lowering intracranial or intraocular pressure. Nursing focus: Monitor fluid balance, neurologic status, lung sounds, and kidney function. Watch for: Pulmonary edema, dehydration, and worsening heart failure.
Sequential nephron blockade	Meaning: Using diuretics at different nephron sites to overcome persistent fluid retention. Nursing focus: Track weight, edema, urine output, BP, electrolytes, and kidney function closely. Watch for: Severe volume depletion, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, and renal injury.
Rate control	Meaning: Slowing the ventricular response in tachyarrhythmias without necessarily restoring sinus rhythm. Nursing focus: Monitor pulse, BP, symptoms, and ECG conduction. Reassess exercise tolerance and perfusion. Watch for: Bradycardia, hypotension, AV block, and worsening heart failure.
AV nodal blockade	Meaning: Slowing conduction through the AV node to terminate or control supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Nursing focus: Check heart rate, BP, PR interval, and signs of poor perfusion before and after therapy. Watch for: Bradycardia, hypotension, and higher-degree heart block.
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors	Meaning: IV antiplatelet drugs that block the final common pathway of platelet aggregation. Nursing focus: Monitor for bleeding, platelet count trends, and oozing at vascular access sites. Watch for: Major bleeding and thrombocytopenia.
Anticoagulation reversal	Meaning: Using antidotes or factor replacement to rapidly reduce anticoagulant effect during serious bleeding or urgent procedures. Nursing focus: Identify the drug taken, timing of the last dose, bleed site, and hemodynamic status. Watch for: Recurrent thrombosis after reversal and infusion reactions with reversal products.
PCSK9 inhibitors	Meaning: Monoclonal antibodies that prevent LDL receptor breakdown, greatly increasing LDL clearance. Nursing focus: Teach injection technique, storage, adherence to schedule, and follow-up lipid checks. Watch for: Injection-site reactions, hypersensitivity, and cost-related nonadherence.
Omega-3 fatty acids	Meaning: Lower triglycerides, especially at prescription strength, by reducing hepatic VLDL production. Nursing focus: Ask about fish or shellfish allergy, bleeding history, and atrial fibrillation history. Watch for: GI upset, bleeding tendency, and more atrial fibrillation episodes in susceptible patients.
If-channel inhibitors	Meaning: Slow the sinus node by blocking the funny current, reducing heart rate without lowering contractility. Nursing focus: Confirm the patient is in sinus rhythm. Monitor resting pulse, BP, visual symptoms, and symptom burden. Watch for: Bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, and luminous visual phenomena.
Preload reduction	Meaning: Lowering venous return and cardiac filling pressure to ease congestion and dyspnea. Nursing focus: Assess edema, crackles, jugular venous distention, BP, and symptom relief. Watch for: Hypotension, dizziness, and renal hypoperfusion.
Sulfonamide diuretics	Meaning: Many loop and thiazide diuretics contain a sulfonamide group. Cross-reactivity with sulfa allergy is possible but not common. Nursing focus: Clarify what the prior allergy looked like. Monitor for new rash after starting therapy and know ethacrynic acid may be used if sulfa risk is a concern. Watch for: Hypersensitivity reactions such as rash, fever, or rare severe skin injury. Stop and escalate if they appear.
Protease-activated receptor-1 antagonists	Meaning: Antiplatelets that block thrombin-mediated platelet activation. They reduce arterial thrombosis risk but do not dissolve clots. Nursing focus: Check for prior stroke history and other antithrombotics. Teach bleeding precautions and when to report bruising or black stools. Watch for: Major bleeding. Concurrent use with other drugs that raise bleeding risk may change the plan of care.
Opioids	Meaning: Strong analgesics that bind opioid receptors to reduce pain perception and response. Nursing focus: Assess pain, sedation, respirations, bowel function, and fall risk. Teach no alcohol or driving until effects are known. Watch for: Respiratory depression, hypotension, constipation, urinary retention, and additive CNS depression with sedatives.
Local anesthetics	Meaning: Drugs that block sodium channels in nerves to stop sensation in a limited area. Nursing focus: Check sensation and circulation, protect the numb area from injury, and monitor for systemic toxicity after injection. Watch for: CNS toxicity, seizures, dysrhythmias, and hypotension. Vasoconstrictor mixtures can worsen ischemia in end artery areas.
Hydantoins	Meaning: Sodium channel blocking anticonvulsants used for focal and tonic-clonic seizures. Nursing focus: Monitor gait, speech, gum health, skin, and adherence. Review interacting drugs and pregnancy planning. Watch for: Nystagmus, ataxia, gingival overgrowth, rash, liver injury, and severe tissue damage with extravasation.
Iminostilbenes	Meaning: Sodium channel blocking anticonvulsants used mainly for focal seizures and trigeminal neuralgia. Nursing focus: Monitor dizziness, sodium-related symptoms, rash, and blood count changes. Check for many drug interactions. Watch for: Hyponatremia, severe rash, dizziness, blood dyscrasias, and reduced effect of hormonal contraceptives.
SSRIs	Meaning: Antidepressants that selectively block serotonin reuptake to improve mood and anxiety symptoms. Nursing focus: Assess mood, sleep, anxiety, and suicidality. Teach delayed benefit and to avoid abrupt stopping. Watch for: Sexual dysfunction, GI upset, insomnia or somnolence, serotonin syndrome, and increased bleeding with NSAIDs or anticoagulants.
Tricyclic antidepressants	Meaning: Older antidepressants that block norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake and also have anticholinergic effects. Nursing focus: Use caution in older adults and suicidal patients. Monitor sedation, orthostasis, bowel and bladder function, and heart rhythm risk. Watch for: Anticholinergic effects, QT changes, orthostatic hypotension, and dangerous overdose toxicity.
First-generation antipsychotics	Meaning: Antipsychotics with strong dopamine blockade that reduce positive psychotic symptoms. Nursing focus: Monitor psychosis, sedation, orthostasis, and movement changes. Promote hydration, bowel care, and photosensitivity precautions. Watch for: Acute dystonia, parkinsonism, akathisia, tardive dyskinesia, hyperprolactinemia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Benzodiazepines	Meaning: Anxiolytics and sedatives that enhance GABA to reduce anxiety and promote sleep or muscle relaxation. Nursing focus: Assess anxiety, sedation, falls, substance use history, and need for short-term use. Teach not to stop abruptly. Watch for: Respiratory depression with opioids or alcohol, confusion, dependence, withdrawal seizures, and paradoxical agitation.
Dopamine precursor therapy	Meaning: Treatment that supplies levodopa to restore brain dopamine, often paired with peripheral decarboxylase inhibition. Nursing focus: Time doses consistently, monitor mobility and swallowing, and teach slow position changes and protein timing if absorption varies. Watch for: Nausea, orthostasis, dyskinesias, hallucinations, and wearing-off or on-off motor fluctuations.
COMT inhibitors	Meaning: Adjunct Parkinson drugs that prolong levodopa effect by blocking catechol-O-methyltransferase. Nursing focus: Use with levodopa. Track off-time, dyskinesia, urine color changes, and liver symptoms with certain agents. Watch for: Worsening dyskinesia, diarrhea, hypotension, hallucinations, and possible liver toxicity with some agents.
Adjuvant analgesics	Meaning: Drugs not classed as primary analgesics that enhance pain relief or target specific pain types, especially neuropathic pain. Nursing focus: Match the agent to the pain mechanism. Monitor function, sedation, dizziness, bowel pattern, and onset that may be slower than opioids. Watch for: Additive CNS depression, falls, anticholinergic effects, or mood changes depending on the adjuvant used.
Opioid tolerance	Meaning: Reduced response to an opioid over time so more drug may be needed for the same effect. Nursing focus: Reassess pain source and function. Distinguish tolerance from addiction, hyperalgesia, or undertreated pain. Watch for: Respiratory depression after opioid switching because cross-tolerance is incomplete.
Barbiturates	Meaning: Strong CNS depressants that enhance GABA activity. Some are used for seizures and sedation. Nursing focus: Monitor consciousness, respirations, blood pressure, falls, and adherence. Teach not to stop abruptly. Watch for: Respiratory depression and major enzyme induction that lowers levels of many other drugs.
Carbonic anhydrase inhibiting anticonvulsants	Meaning: Antiseizure agents that partly work through carbonic anhydrase inhibition, including topiramate and zonisamide. Nursing focus: Encourage hydration and monitor cognition, weight, heat tolerance, and visual symptoms. Watch for: Kidney stones, metabolic acidosis, decreased sweating, and overheating.
Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors	Meaning: Antidepressants that raise norepinephrine and dopamine, often improving energy and concentration. Nursing focus: Screen for eating disorders, seizure history, insomnia, and substance use. Monitor mood and sleep. Watch for: Seizures, agitation, insomnia, hypertension, and stronger stimulant effects.
Antihistamine anxiolytics	Meaning: Sedating H1 blockers used short term to relieve anxiety or acute agitation. Nursing focus: Assess alertness, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, and fall risk. Watch for: Anticholinergic effects, oversedation, and QT prolongation with some agents.
Long-acting injectable antipsychotics	Meaning: Depot formulations that release antipsychotic medication slowly to improve adherence. Nursing focus: Verify oral overlap or loading plan when needed. Monitor injection site, relapse signs, and follow-up timing. Watch for: Delayed adverse effects, missed-dose relapse, and post-injection sedation with some products.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome	Meaning: A rare life-threatening reaction to dopamine blockade with rigidity, fever, autonomic instability, and confusion. Nursing focus: Stop the antipsychotic and seek emergency treatment. Support cooling, hydration, and monitoring. Watch for: Rhabdomyolysis, kidney injury, arrhythmias, and rapid deterioration.
Penicillins	Meaning: Beta-lactam antibiotics that block bacterial cell wall synthesis and work best against actively dividing bacteria. Nursing focus: Check allergy history, obtain cultures before therapy when possible, and teach the full course and signs of superinfection. Watch for: Anaphylaxis, rash, diarrhea, and C. difficile colitis.
Tetracyclines	Meaning: Broad-spectrum antibiotics that bind the 30S ribosomal subunit and stop bacterial protein synthesis. Nursing focus: Teach to avoid dairy, iron, and antacids near doses, use sun protection, and report pregnancy. Watch for: Photosensitivity, esophagitis, tooth discoloration, and reduced absorption with cations.
Neuraminidase inhibitors	Meaning: Influenza antivirals that block release of new virus from infected cells and work best when started early. Nursing focus: Confirm influenza timing and symptoms, teach early reporting, and monitor breathing with inhaled products. Watch for: Nausea, bronchospasm with inhaled therapy, and rare neuropsychiatric effects.
Azole antifungals	Meaning: Antifungals that inhibit ergosterol synthesis and are used for many yeast and mold infections. Nursing focus: Assess liver history, review interacting medicines, and teach patients to report jaundice or dark urine. Watch for: Hepatotoxicity, QT changes, and strong CYP interactions.
Rifamycins	Meaning: Antimycobacterial drugs that inhibit bacterial RNA polymerase and are core agents in tuberculosis treatment. Nursing focus: Teach that urine and tears may turn orange, review all medicines, and monitor liver symptoms. Watch for: Hepatotoxicity and many drug interactions, including reduced effect of hormonal contraceptives.
Live attenuated vaccines	Meaning: Vaccines made from weakened replicating organisms that mimic natural infection and create strong immunity. Nursing focus: Check pregnancy and immune status before giving, and teach that mild fever or rash can occur. Watch for: Vaccine-related infection in severely immunocompromised patients.
Calcineurin inhibitors	Meaning: Immunosuppressants that block T-cell activation by reducing interleukin-2 signaling. Nursing focus: Monitor blood pressure, renal status, infection signs, and adherence. Review food and drug interactions. Watch for: Nephrotoxicity, hypertension, tremor, and grapefruit interactions.
Carbapenems	Meaning: Broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics that block bacterial cell wall synthesis and resist many beta-lactamases. Nursing focus: Obtain cultures first when possible. Review allergy history. Monitor renal function and clinical response. Watch for: Seizures can occur with high exposure or renal dysfunction. Also watch for C. difficile diarrhea.
Glycopeptides	Meaning: Cell wall inhibitors used mainly for serious gram-positive infections, including many MRSA infections. Nursing focus: Monitor kidney function, infusion tolerance, and response. Review other nephrotoxic drugs. Watch for: Nephrotoxicity and infusion-related flushing can require a slower infusion or a different agent.
Antiretroviral protease inhibitors	Meaning: Antiretrovirals that block HIV protease so new virions remain immature and noninfectious. Nursing focus: Review all medications for CYP interactions. Monitor glucose, lipids, and adherence. Watch for: Boosted regimens can cause major drug interactions. Hyperglycemia and fat redistribution are also concerns.
Antifungal antimetabolites	Meaning: Antifungals converted inside fungal cells to metabolites that disrupt DNA and RNA synthesis. Nursing focus: Monitor CBC and renal function. They are usually combined with another antifungal to limit resistance. Watch for: Bone marrow suppression and liver injury can require dose adjustment or discontinuation.
Recombinant protein vaccines	Meaning: Vaccines made from purified antigens produced by recombinant technology. They contain no live organism. Nursing focus: Teach that multiple doses may be needed. Review allergy history and expected local reactions. Watch for: Severe allergy to a component changes the plan. Local soreness is common.
mTOR inhibitors	Meaning: Immunosuppressants that inhibit mTOR and reduce lymphocyte response to IL-2 signaling. Nursing focus: Monitor drug interactions, lipids, edema, and wound healing. Assess for infection. Watch for: Mouth ulcers, hyperlipidemia, proteinuria, and delayed wound healing can change therapy.
Rapid-acting insulin	Meaning: Insulin used at meals for very fast onset control of postprandial glucose. Nursing focus: Match administration to carbohydrate intake. Check glucose patterns and teach fast treatment of hypoglycaemia. Watch for: Hypoglycaemia if the meal is delayed or missed. Lipodystrophy from poor site rotation.
Sulfonylureas	Meaning: Stimulate pancreatic beta cells to release insulin and lower blood glucose. Nursing focus: Assess meal regularity and teach not to skip meals. Monitor glucose and weight. Watch for: Hypoglycaemia is the main risk, especially with missed meals, alcohol or older age.
Thyroid hormone replacement	Meaning: Synthetic thyroid hormone used to replace deficiency in hypothyroidism. Nursing focus: Take consistently apart from food, iron and calcium. Track energy, pulse and symptom change. Watch for: Overreplacement can cause palpitations, tremor and bone loss. Iron and calcium reduce absorption.
Glucocorticoids	Meaning: Cortisol-like steroids that suppress inflammation and immune activity. Nursing focus: Monitor infection signs, glucose, mood, weight and blood pressure. Reinforce not stopping suddenly. Watch for: Hyperglycaemia, mood change, infection masking, GI irritation and bone loss with longer use.
Proton pump inhibitors	Meaning: Block the gastric proton pump, producing strong acid suppression. Nursing focus: Use before meals when directed. Reassess ongoing need and review ulcer-risk medicines. Watch for: C difficile diarrhoea, low magnesium and reduced absorption of some medicines.
5-HT3 antagonists	Meaning: Prevent nausea and vomiting by blocking serotonin receptors in the gut and chemoreceptor trigger zone. Nursing focus: Assess nausea cause, hydration and bowel pattern. Use around emetogenic triggers when ordered. Watch for: Constipation, headache and QT prolongation risk.
Teratogens	Meaning: Drug or chemical exposures that can harm fetal development. Nursing focus: Check pregnancy status, gestational timing and all medicines including OTC and herbal products. Watch for: Highest structural risk is during organ formation. Some exposures also cause later growth or neurodevelopment problems.
Intermediate-acting insulin	Meaning: Basal insulin with a slower onset than mealtime insulin and a clear peak that can cover about half a day. Nursing focus: Check meal timing, injection technique, and glucose patterns around the peak period. Watch for: Midday or nocturnal hypoglycaemia, especially if meals are missed or activity increases.
Inhaled corticosteroids	Meaning: Anti-inflammatory steroids delivered to the airways for controller therapy, not quick symptom relief. Nursing focus: Teach regular use, correct inhaler technique, and mouth rinsing after doses. Watch for: Oral candidiasis and dysphonia. Higher exposure can add systemic steroid effects.
Helicobacter pylori eradication	Meaning: Combination therapy using acid suppression plus antibiotics to clear H. pylori and reduce ulcer recurrence. Nursing focus: Confirm adherence to the full course and review allergy and prior antibiotic exposure. Watch for: Diarrhoea, candidiasis, and treatment failure if therapy is not completed.
Neurokinin-1 antagonists	Meaning: They block substance P at NK1 receptors and are used mainly to prevent delayed chemotherapy nausea and vomiting. Nursing focus: Check the antiemetic plan and interaction risk, especially with CYP3A4 substrates. Watch for: Drug interactions, constipation, fatigue, and hiccups.
Insulin in pregnancy	Meaning: Insulin is usually the preferred glucose-lowering medicine when drug treatment is needed in pregnancy because it does not meaningfully cross the placenta. Nursing focus: Teach glucose monitoring, hypoglycaemia treatment, and that insulin needs change across pregnancy. Watch for: Hypoglycaemia and rapidly changing insulin requirements.
GLP-1 receptor agonists	Meaning: Incretin mimics that increase glucose-dependent insulin release, suppress glucagon and slow gastric emptying, lowering glucose and often promoting weight loss. Nursing focus: Check nausea, hydration, weight and glucose pattern. Teach injection technique if needed. Review history of pancreatitis and severe gastroparesis. Watch for: Vomiting, dehydration and pancreatitis symptoms. Hypoglycaemia risk rises when used with insulin or a sulfonylurea.
-terol	Meaning: Often marks beta2 agonist bronchodilators that relax bronchial smooth muscle. Nursing focus: Assess wheeze and work of breathing. Teach inhaler technique and how often rescue use is needed. Watch for: Tremor, palpitations, tachycardia, or paradoxical bronchospasm. Low potassium can raise dysrhythmia risk.
First-generation antihistamines	Meaning: Older H1 blockers that reduce allergy symptoms and readily enter the brain. Nursing focus: Warn about sedation. Use fall precautions and avoid alcohol or other sedatives. Watch for: Confusion, dry mouth, urinary retention, or blurred vision. Use caution in glaucoma and BPH.
ARBs	Meaning: Block angiotensin II receptors. They lower pressure and can protect the kidney with less cough than ACE inhibitors. Nursing focus: Monitor blood pressure, kidney function, and potassium. Teach pregnancy avoidance. Watch for: Hyperkalemia, dizziness, or angioedema. Dual RAAS blockade raises kidney injury risk.
Isotonic fluids	Meaning: Fluids with a similar tonicity to plasma that mainly expand the extracellular space. Nursing focus: Monitor blood pressure, urine output, edema, and lung sounds during replacement. Watch for: Fluid overload, especially in heart failure or kidney disease. Crackles and edema need reassessment.
Potassium replacement	Meaning: Replaces potassium needed for cardiac conduction and neuromuscular function. Nursing focus: Confirm urine output and kidney status. Monitor ECG changes and teach food sources if advised. Watch for: Hyperkalemia, nausea, or IV site pain. Digoxin effects change as potassium balance shifts.
Spacer use	Meaning: A chamber attached to a metered-dose inhaler that improves lung delivery and reduces drug left in the mouth. Nursing focus: Teach assembly, slow inhalation, and routine cleaning. Recheck technique at visits. Watch for: Poor technique can reduce effect and increase local steroid problems such as thrush.
H1 receptor blockade	Meaning: Prevents histamine from causing itching, sneezing, runny nose, and hives. Nursing focus: Match use to allergic symptoms and teach that benefit is best when taken before or during exposure. Watch for: Dry mouth, sedation, or blurred vision depending on the agent.
Urinary retention risk	Meaning: Antihistamine and decongestant effects can worsen bladder emptying, especially with outlet obstruction. Nursing focus: Ask about BPH, hesitancy, and last void. Tell patients to report trouble urinating. Watch for: Lower abdominal fullness, pain, or inability to void.
Colloid fluids	Meaning: Solutions with large molecules that tend to remain intravascular and expand plasma volume. Nursing focus: Monitor hemodynamics, lung sounds, edema, and response to volume expansion. Watch for: Fluid overload, allergic reactions, or coagulation effects depending on the product.
Fluid overload	Meaning: Excess fluid in the intravascular or interstitial space that strains the heart and lungs. Nursing focus: Assess weight trend, edema, lung sounds, oxygenation, and intake and output. Watch for: Crackles, dyspnea, hypertension, or jugular venous distention.
LABA monotherapy in asthma	Meaning: Using a long-acting beta2 agonist alone in asthma can relieve symptoms while airway inflammation remains untreated. Nursing focus: Verify asthma patients receive a paired inhaled corticosteroid. Teach that a LABA is not for sudden symptoms. Watch for: Worsening asthma control masked by temporary relief. Tremor and palpitations can occur.
Intranasal antihistamines	Meaning: Local H1 blockers used for allergic rhinitis. They reduce sneezing, itching, and runny nose through nasal action. Nursing focus: Teach correct spray technique and ask about drowsiness. Assess response when oral therapy is not enough. Watch for: Bitter taste, nose irritation, epistaxis, and possible sedation.
Balanced crystalloids	Meaning: Crystalloid fluids whose electrolyte mix is closer to plasma than normal saline. Nursing focus: Monitor volume response, urine output, and acid-base status. Verify the solution fits the clinical situation. Watch for: Fluid overload. Some solutions contain potassium or calcium, which can affect selection.
Rescue inhaler overuse	Meaning: Frequent use of a quick-relief bronchodilator signals poor airway control rather than good prevention. Nursing focus: Ask about symptom frequency, nighttime waking, triggers, and refill pattern. Review controller use and inhaler access. Watch for: Repeated beta agonist use can cause tachycardia, tremor, and low potassium. Shorter relief means the plan needs review.
-zolamide	Meaning: Suffix for carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Systemic forms increase bicarbonate excretion, causing mild diuresis and alkaline urine. Nursing focus: Monitor hydration, potassium, bicarbonate trend, and kidney function. Review sulfonamide allergy history and teach patients to report fatigue or tingling. Watch for: Metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, kidney stones, paresthesias, or sulfonamide hypersensitivity.

Frequently asked

How is this deck split across topics?

The 300 cards are divided into principles (40), cardiovascular (55), neuro-and-psych (50), infection-and-immunity (50), endocrine-and-gi (55), and respiratory-and-renal (50). Inside those sections, the cards focus on drug classes, suffixes, and core concepts rather than isolated brand names.

What am I expected to recall on each card?

Each back uses the same fields: Meaning, Nursing focus, and Watch for. That keeps the review pattern steady whether the front says Absorption, Fluoroquinolones, or -zolamide.

Does this deck cover doses, titration, or full treatment plans?

No. It stays at class and concept level on purpose, so you can lock in mechanism, nursing priorities, and key risks before layering on protocol details.

Can I import the whole deck on the free plan?

Yes. Importing a saved deck runs no new AI generation and spends no AI credits, so the free plan imports all 300 cards. You can study, edit and delete them afterwards.

Will importing it twice create duplicates?

No. Cards you already have are skipped and only cards added in a revision come through. Including re-imports after deleting it, one official deck can be imported three times per account.

Can I use it on the web and in the mobile app?

Yes. The deck is added to your account rather than to a device, so the same cards and the same progress are there on the web, on iOS and on Android.

Can I edit the cards after importing?

Yes. Imported cards are yours: you can edit both sides, delete cards you do not need, change tags, and move cards to another deck.