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Pharmacological Therapies: NCLEX Cheat Sheets

High-alert medications, drug classes, side effects, antidotes and safe administration for Pharmacological & Parenteral Therapies.

📅 Updated 2026-07-29📚 109 free cheat sheets✅ CinnaRN Clinical Content Team🔖 No signup
Management of CareSafety & Infection ControlHealth Promotion & MaintenancePsychosocial IntegrityBasic Care & ComfortPharmacological TherapiesReduction of Risk PotentialPhysiological Adaptation

All 109 Pharmacological Therapies cheat sheets

ACE Inhibitors-pril → watch dry cough + K+ Acetaminophen and N-acetylcysteineNAC = Tylenol OD antidote Acetaminophen Poisoning in ChildrenAntidote = N-acetylcysteine AcyclovirAntiviral → push fluids, nephro AdenosineRapid IV push for SVT AlbuterolSABA bronchodilator → relax airways Alteplase (tPA)Clot-buster → bleeding is #1 risk Aminoglycosides-mycin → oto + nephrotoxic AmiodaroneAntidysrhythmic → V-tach/V-fib/AFib AmitriptylineTCA → lethal in overdose (cardiac) AntacidsNeutralize acid → fast, short relief AntipsychoticsWatch EPS & metabolic effects Antiretroviral TherapyART → adherence is everything Aspirin (antiplatelet)Irreversible COX → ↓ platelet aggreg. AtropineSymptomatic bradycardia → 0.5mg IV BenzodiazepinesReversal = flumazenil Beta Blockers-olol → hold if HR < 60 BisacodylStimulant laxative → fast acting BupropionAtypical → lowers seizure threshold BuspironeNon-sedating anxiolytic, slow onset Calcium Channel Blockers-dipine → ↓ BP, watch edema Calcium GluconateAntidote for Mg toxicity + ↑K+ CephalosporinsPCN cross-allergy + disulfiram rxn ClopidogrelAntiplatelet — bleeding risk ClozapineAgranulocytosis → monitor ANC Coagulation Studies (PT/INR/aPTT)Warfarin → INR; Heparin → aPTT Corticosteroids-sone → never stop abruptly CromolynMast cell stabilizer → PREVENTION Desmopressin (DDAVP)Synthetic ADH → water retention Digoxin ToxicityDig level > 2.0 ng/mL DiltiazemNon-DHP CCB → slows AV node Diphenhydramine1st-gen antihistamine → sedating DobutamineBeta-1 inotrope for HF DocusateStool softener → prevents straining DopamineDose-dependent effects; central line EpinephrineAnaphylaxis + cardiac arrest 1st-line FludrocortisoneMineralocorticoid → retains Na+/water FluoroquinolonesTendon rupture + QT prolong risk FurosemideLoop diuretic → watch K+ Gentamicin (peak and trough)Trough <2, peak 5-10 mcg/mL Glipizide (Sulfonylurea)Stimulates insulin → hypoglycemia GLP-1 AgonistsWeight loss + pancreatitis risk GlucagonRescue for severe hypoglycemia GuaifenesinExpectorant → thins secretions H2 Receptor Blockers-tidine → ↓ acid, weaker than PPI HaloperidolTypical antipsychotic → EPS risk Heparin TherapyMonitor aPTT, antidote protamine HydralazineDirect arteriolar vasodilator Hydrocortisone ReplacementAdrenal insufficiency → never stop Inhaled CorticosteroidsAsthma controller → not rescue Insulin Types and TimingRegular = only IV insulin IpratropiumAnticholinergic bronchodilator (SAMA) IsoniazidTB drug → give B6, watch liver IV Therapy and Site CareAssess site q1-2h; change q72-96h Lactulose↓ ammonia → treats hepatic enceph. LevothyroxineReplaces thyroid hormone (T4) LithiumTherapeutic 0.6–1.2 mEq/L Lithium ToxicityToxic > 1.5 mEq/L Loop DiureticsFurosemide → watch K+ < 3.5 LoperamideAntidiarrheal → opioid, no CNS MacrolidesGI upset + QT prolongation Magnesium SulfateAntidote = calcium gluconate Magnesium Sulfate TherapyTherapeutic 4-7 mEq/L MetforminHold before contrast dye MethimazoleHyperthyroid; NOT 1st trimester MethylphenidateCNS stimulant for ADHD MetoclopramideProkinetic → tardive dyskinesia risk MetronidazoleNO alcohol → disulfiram reaction Moderate (Conscious) SedationKeeps protective airway reflexes MontelukastLeukotriene blocker → PREVENTION only MorphineHold if RR < 12 NaloxoneOpioid OD antidote (Narcan) Neuroleptic Malignant SyndromeAntipsychotic emergency: lead-pipe rigidity NitroglycerinHold if SBP < 90 NitroprussideWatch cyanide toxicity OctreotideSomatostatin analog → ↓ secretions Ondansetron5-HT3 blocker → watch QT prolong Opioid Analgesics and NaloxoneRR < 12 → hold opioid Opioid-Induced Respiratory DepressionRR < 8-10 = give naloxone Patient-Controlled AnalgesiaONLY patient pushes button PenicillinsWatch anaphylaxis + cross-allergy PhenelzineMAOI → tyramine = HTN crisis PhenytoinTherapeutic 10–20 mcg/mL Potassium ChlorideNEVER IV push → fatal Prednisone (corticosteroid)Never stop abruptly Propylthiouracil (PTU)Hyperthyroid; safer 1st trimester Proton Pump Inhibitors-prazole → ↓ gastric acid strongly PseudoephedrineSympathomimetic → ↑ BP & HR Rh Incompatibility and RhoGAMRh- mom + Rh+ baby = risk RifampinRed-orange body fluids (harmless) RisperidoneAtypical → ↑prolactin Serotonin SyndromeToo much serotonin = hyperthermia SertralineSSRI → full effect 4-6 weeks SGLT2 InhibitorsGlucose in urine → UTI risk Sodium Polystyrene SulfonateKayexalate → lowers K+ via gut SpironolactoneK+-sparing diuretic → watch hyperK+ SSRIs and Serotonin SyndromeOnset takes 4–6 weeks Statins (atorvastatin)Take at night; check liver/muscle SucralfateForms protective ulcer barrier SulfonamidesStevens-Johnson + push fluids Tardive DyskinesiaLate involuntary movements, often irreversible TetracyclinesNO dairy, NO kids <8, NO pregnancy TheophyllineNarrow range: 10-20 mcg/mL Therapeutic Drug LevelsMemorize narrow-window values Total Parenteral NutritionIV nutrition via central line Valproic AcidHepatotoxic + teratogen VancomycinMRSA → trough 10-20 mcg/mL VenlafaxineSNRI → may ↑ BP, watch DBP Warfarin TherapyMonitor INR, antidote vit K

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