Ace Your Pharmacology (Expanded) Classes and Exams with Picmonic: #1 Visual Mnemonic Study Tool for Paramedic Students
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Pharmacology (Expanded) | Paramedic School Study Aid
Alpha 1 Receptor
- Characteristics
- Gq Subunit
- Increase Vascular Smooth Muscle Contraction
- Increase Pupillary Dilator Muscle Contraction
- Increase Intestinal and Bladder Sphincter Muscle Contraction
1 min
Alpha 2 Receptor
- Characteristics
- Gi Subunit
- Decrease Sympathetic Outflow
- Decrease Insulin Release
- Decrease Lipolysis
- Increase Platelet Aggregation
- Decrease Aqueous Humor Production
2 mins
Beta-1 Receptor
- Characteristics
- Gs Protein Class
- Increased Heart Rate
- Increased Contractility
- Increase Renin Release
- Increased Lipolysis
44 secs
Beta-2 Receptor
- Characteristics
- Gs protein class
- Increased Heart Rate
- Increased Contractility
- Increased Lipolysis
- Increased Insulin
- Increased Aqueous Humor Production
- Ciliary Muscle Relaxation
- Vasodilation
- Bronchodilation
- Decrease Uterine Tone
2 mins
Beta Blockers
- "-olol" suffix
- Mechanism
- Decreases Heart Rate and Contractility
- Decreases Peripheral Vascular Resistance
- Decreases Renin Release
- Indications
- Hypertension
- Heart Failure
- Angina Pectoris
- Contraindications
- Asthma and Heart Block Patients
- Nursing Considerations
- Assess Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
- Masking Signs of Hypoglycemia
- Do Not Stop Abruptly
2 mins
Selective Beta-1 Blockers
- Characteristics
- "-olol" Suffix
- Drug Names
- Beta-1 Selective
- Atenolol
- Esmolol
- Metoprolol
- Partial Beta agonists
- Acebutolol
1 min
Cardiovascular Effects of Beta-Blockers
- Cardiac Myocytes and Vasculature
- Decrease cAMP
- Decreases SA and AV Node Conduction Velocity
- Lower Blood Pressure
- Decrease O2 Consumption
- Decreases Mortality Post-MI
2 mins
Systemic Effects of Beta-Blockers
- Respiratory
- Bronchoconstriction
- Metabolic
- Decreased Insulin
- Decreased Glycolysis and Lipolysis
- Eye
- Reduces Intraocular Pressure
1 min
Beta-1 Agonists
- Dobutamine
- Heart Failure
- Cardiac Stress Test
- Isoproterenol
- Bradyarrhythmias
- Torsades de Pointes
1 min
Hypertension Medications
- Diuretics
- ACE Inhibitors
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
- Beta Blockers
- Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers
2 mins
Calcium Channel Blockers (Verapamil and Diltiazem)
- Mechanism of Action
- Slows AV Conduction
- Indications
- Angina Pectoris
- Arrhythmias
- Essential Hypertension
- Side Effects
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Constipation
- Peripheral Edema
- Gingival Hyperplasia
- Nursing Consideration
- Medication Education
2 mins
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
- Ends in "-sartan"
- Mechanism of Action
- Blocks Angiotensin II Receptor
- Indications
- Hypertension
- Side Effects
- Angioedema
- Contraindications
- Renal Artery Stenosis
- Pregnancy
1 min
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
- "-pril" Suffix
- Mechanism of Action
- Block Renin Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)
- Indications
- Hypertension
- Heart Failure
- Side Effects
- Dry Non-productive Cough
- Hypotension
- Dizziness
- Possible Hyperkalemia
- Angioedema
- Nursing Considerations
- Slowly Change Position
- Do Not Stop Abruptly
2 mins
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
- Mechanism of Action
- Increases Inotropy
- Indications
- Heart Failure
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Side Effects
- Bradycardia
- Fatigue
- Contraindications
- Heart Block
- Nursing Considerations
- Heart Rate Below 60
- Hypokalemia
- Monitor for Toxicity and Visual Changes
- Digibind
2 mins
Heparin (Unfractionated)
- Mechanism of Action
- Suppresses Coagulation
- Indications
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Side Effects
- Hemorrhage
- Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)
- Considerations
- Monitor aPTT
- Preferred (Safe) During Pregnancy
- Antidote
- Protamine Sulfate
2 mins
Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)
- Pathophysiology
- 5-10 Days After Heparin Exposure
- Heparin-Platelet Factor 4 Complex
- Autoantibodies Form Against Complex
- Heparin-Platelet Factor 4-Antibody Complex Binds Platelets
- Platelet Aggregation
- Procoagulant Release
- Symptoms
- Thrombocytopenia
- Diagnosis
- Serotonin Release Assay (SRA)
- Treatment
- Stop Heparin, Start Direct Thrombin Inhibitor
2 mins
Warfarin (Coumadin)
- Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits Clotting Factors
- Indications
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Venous Thrombosis
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Assessment
- PT/INR Levels
- Observe for Bleeding
- Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Nursing Considerations
- Vitamin K and Fresh Frozen Plasma
- Prolonged Therapeutic Onset
- Maintain Same Diet
2 mins
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)
- Mechanism
- Inhibits Platelet Aggregation
- NSAID
- Indications
- Thrombotic Event Prevention
- General Pain
- Inflammatory Conditions
- Fever
- Side Effects
- Pancytopenia
- GI Ulcers
- Bleeding
- Considerations
- Withhold Before Surgery 7-10 Days
- Reye's Syndrome
2 mins
Abciximab and Tirofiban (GP IIb/IIIa Inhibitors)
- Mechanism
- IIb/IIIa Receptor Inhibitors
- Inhibits Platelet Aggregation
- Indications
- Thrombotic Event Prevention
- Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
- Side Effects
- Bleeding
- Considerations
- Expensive
- Combination Drug Therapy
2 mins
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Mechanism
- ADP Receptor Antagonist
- Prevent Platelet Aggregation
- Indications
- Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
- Prevention of Thrombotic Events
- Side Effects
- Bleeding
- Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)
- Pancytopenia
- Abdominal Pain
- Considerations
- Withhold Before Surgery
2 mins
Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
- Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits Clotting Factors
- Factor Xa
- Indications
- Clot Formation Prevention
- Side Effects
- Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)
- Bleeding
- Considerations
- Medication Education
- Subcutaneous Injection
- 2 Inches from Umbilicus or Incisions
- Antidote
- Protamine Sulfate
2 mins
Alteplase
- Mechanism
- Tissue Plasminogen Activator
- Indications
- Thrombosis
- Side Effects
- Bleeding
- Contraindications
- Intracranial Hemorrhage
- Internal Hemorrhaging
- Considerations
- Minimize Bleeding
- Monitor for Shock
- Antidote
- Aminocaproic Acid
2 mins
Hydrochlorothiazide HCTZ
- Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits Reabsorption NaCl and H2O
- Indications
- Edema
- Mild to Moderate Hypertension
- Side Effects
- Hypokalemia
- Hyponatremia
- Dehydration
- Hyperglycemia
- Gout
- Contraindications
- Sulfa Allergy
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
1 min
Loop Diuretics
- Mechanism of Action
- Thick Ascending Limb of Loop of Henle
- Inhibits Na+-K+-2Cl-
- Sulfa Drug
- Drug Names
- Furosemide
- Lasix
- Side Effects
- Ototoxicity from Rapid Injection
- Gout
- Dehydration
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypokalemia
- Orthostatic Hypotension
2 mins
K+ Sparing Diuretics
- Indications
- CHF and Hypertension
- Hypokalemia
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Mechanism of Action
- Collecting Tubule
- Spironolactone
- Competitive Aldosterone Receptor Antagonist
- Amiloride and Triamterene
- Block Na+ Channels
- Side Effects
- Hyperkalemia
- Gynecomastia
2 mins
Statins
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Hepatotoxicity
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
- Decrease LDL
- Decrease Triglycerides
- Increase HDL
2 mins
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- Characteristics
- -statin Suffix
- Mechanism
- HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
- Indications
- High Cholesterol
- Side Effects
- Hepatotoxicity
- Rash
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Myopathy
- Considerations
- Monitor Liver Enzymes
- Administer at Bedtime
- Avoid Grapefruit
2 mins
Nitroglycerin
- Mechanism of Action
- Decreases Preload
- Indications
- Angina
- Up to 3 doses q 5 mins
- Side Effects
- Headache
- Hypotension
- Contraindications
- Viagra (Sildenafil)
- Nursing Considerations
- Assess Blood Pressure
- Protect From Light
- Use Glass Bottle and Special Tubing
- Gloves for Applying Topically
2 mins
Nitroglycerin
- Indications
- Pulmonary Edema
- Angina
- Mechanism of Action
- Decreases Preload
- Releases NO in Blood
- Side Effects
- Hypotension
- Reflex Tachycardia
- Flushing
- Monday Disease
- Contraindications
- Viagra (Sildenafil)
2 mins
Adenosine (Adenocard)
- Mechanism
- Slows AV Conduction
- Indications
- Supraventricular Tachycardia (Paroxysmal)
- Side Effects
- Bradycardia
- Flushing
- Dyspnea
- Considerations
- Rapid IV Push
- Caffeine and Theophylline Decrease Effectiveness
- Dipyridamole May Intensify Effects
2 mins
Lidocaine
- Mechanism
- Blocks Na+ Channels
- Indications
- Ventricular Arrhythmia
- Anesthetic
- Side Effects
- Paresthesias
- Seizures
- Respiratory Depression
- Drowsiness
- Consideration
- Anesthetic Effects Extended with Epinephrine
1 min
