Jazmine Andrea L.

Caritos

4NU02 Group 1
Drug Study

Drug
Generic name:
Methylprednisolon
e
Brand name:
Solu-Medrol
Functional
Class:
Corticosteroid
hormone
Chemical Class:
Anti-inflammatory
steroid

Dosag
e
125mg/
2ml
vial

Mechanism of
action
Unbound
glucocorticoids cross
cell membranes and
bind with high affinity
to specific
cytoplasmic
receptors, modifying
transcription and
protein synthesis. By
this mechanism,
glucocorticoids can
inhibit leukocyte
infiltration at the site
of inflammation,
interfere with
mediators of
inflammatory
response, and
suppress humoral
immune responses.
The antiinflammatory
actions of
corticosteroids are
thought to involve
phospholipase A2
inhibitory proteins,
lipocortins, which

Indication and
Contraindication
Indication
Arthritis
Blood disorders
Severe allergic
reactions
Certain cancers
Immune system
disorders
Shock
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity
Hypokalemia/
hypocalcemia
Systemic fungal
infections
Latent or active
TB
Herpes simplex
infection
Latent or active
peptic ulcer
Osteoporosis
Hypertension
Avoid live virus
vaccines

Side effect and

Adverse effect
Side effect
Nausea/vomitin
g/ stomach
upset
Heartburn
Headache
Dizziness
Appetite
changes
Pain/redness/
swelling at the
injection site
Adverse effect
Hypertension
Mental
disorders
Ulcer disease
Exacerbation,
pancreatitis;
Glucose
tolerance
disorders
Glucose serum
level elevation
Cushing-like
syndrome,
Amenorrhoea,

Nursing Considerations
Assessment
Hypersensitivity
Assess for potassium
depletion (fatigue,
nausea, vomiting,
depression, polyuria,
dysrhythmia and
weakness).
Assess for
hypertension, oedema
and cardiac symptoms.
Assess for mental
status.
Rotate sites in IM
injection.
Patient teaching
Increase potassium,
calcium and protein
intake.
Do not discontinue
suddenly (can
precipitate adrenal
crisis).
Avoid OTC products
unless cleared with
prescriber.

Jazmine Andrea L. Caritos

4NU02 Group 1

control the
biosynthesis of potent
mediators of
inflammation such as
prostaglandins and
leukotrienes.

Rash, contact
dermatitis,
Steroidal acne
Moon-like face
Edemas
Increased
potassium
excretion
Muscular
weakness,
Osteoporosis

Methylprednisolone
can pass into breast
milk and may harm a
nursing baby.
Educate on symptoms
of adrenal insufficiency
(anorexia, dizziness,
dyspnoea, fatigue,
joint pain, nausea and
weakness).

Potentially Fatal:
Bleeding from the
stomach or intestine

Drug
Generic name:
Midazolam
Brand name:
Versed
Functional
Class:
Sedative
Chemical Class:
Benzodiazepine

Dosag
e
125mg/
2ml
vial

Mechanism of
action
Midazolam is a shortacting
benzodiazepine. It
potentiates gammaaminobutyric acid
(GABA) inhibitory
action in the CNS by
binding to
benzodiazepinespecific receptors on
the GABA
-benzodiazepine

Indication and
Contraindication
Indication
Preprocedural
sedation
Aids in induction
of anesthesia
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity
to
benzodiazepines
Severe
respiratory

Side effect and

Adverse effect
Side effect
Nausea/vomitin
g/ rash
Agitation
Restlessness
Uncontrollable
shaking of a
part of the
body
Slow/irregular
heartbeat

Nursing Considerations
Assessment
Hypersensitivity
Assess level of
sedation and level of
consciousness
throughout and for 2-6
hr following
administration.
Monitor BP, pulse and
respiration
continuously during IV
administration. Oxygen

Jazmine Andrea L. Caritos

4NU02 Group 1
receptor complex.
Binding of this
complex potentiates
GABA-mediated
chloride influx, thus
exerting sedative and
hypnotic, muscle
relaxant, anxiolytic
and anticonvulsant
actions.

failure or acute
respiratory
depression

Adverse effect
Potentially Fatal:
Life-threatening
breathing problems
(shallow, slowed, or
temporarily stopped
breathing)

and resuscitative
equipment should be
immediately available.
If overdose occurs:
confusion, sedation,
diminished reflexes,
coma, and untoward
effects on vital signs.

*The effects of midazolam

can be reversed with
flumazenil (Romazicon).

Drug
Generic name:
Nicardipine
hydrochloride
Brand name:
Cardene
Functional
Class:
Vasodilator, antihypertensive,

Dosag
e
2mg/2
ml amp

Mechanism of
action
Inhibits calcium ion
from entering the
slow channels or
select voltagesensitive areas of
vascular smooth
muscle and
myocardium during
depolarization,
producing a
relaxation of coronary

Indication and
Contraindication
Indication
Chronic stable
angina/angina
pectoris
Management of
hypertension
Contraindication
Suspected
intracranial
hemorrhage;

Side effect and

Adverse effect
Side effect
Flushing
Hypotension
Ventricular
tachycardia
Headache
Dizziness
Adverse effect
Thrombocytope
nia

Nursing Considerations
Assessment
Hypersensitivity
Edema
Peripheral perfusion
Liver and renal
function test
Urinalysis
Provide small, frequent
meals if GI upset
occurs.

Jazmine Andrea L. Caritos

anti-anginal agent
Chemical Class:
Calcium Channel
Blocker

4NU02 Group 1
vascular smooth
muscle and coronary
vasodilation;
increases myocardial
oxygen delivery in
patients with
vasospastic angina

elevated
intracranial
pressure at the
acute stage of
cerebral stroke.
Hepatic or renal
dysfunction
Aortic stenosis.

*Discontinue
treatment if the
following occurs:
Paralytic ileus,
hypoxemia,
pulmonary edema,
dyspnea, anginal
pain. Pregnancy &
lactation.

Hepatic
dysfunction
associated w/
elevated AST
(GOT), ALT
(GPT) or -GPT
& jaundice.
Tachycardia,
ECG changes,
hypotension,
Increase in BUN
& creatinine.

Potentially Fatal:
Dropped blood
pressure

Patient teaching
Monitor fluid intake
and output. Assess for
signs and symptoms of
heart failure.
Decreases its potency
if taken with food.
Serum concentrations/
toxicity of nicardipine
may be increased by
grapefruit juice; avoid
concurrent use.
Advise patient to
immediately report
chest pain or blood
pressure drop.
*Nicardipine crosses the
placenta; changes in fetal
heart rate, neonatal
hypotension and neonatal
acidosis have been
observed following
maternal use (rare based
on limited data).