Pharmacokinetics & Major Drug Classifications

Know signature side effects and nursing considerations by class. Beta-blockers (-olol): monitor heart rate and blood pressure, hold for bradycardia per parameters, teach patients not to stop abruptly (rebound hypertension/tachycardia). ACE inhibitors (-pril): watch for a dry cough and hyperkalemia; the first-dose can cause significant hypotension. Anticoagulants: warfarin is monitored with INR (therapeutic range typically 2–3 for most indications) with vitamin K as the antidote; heparin is monitored with aPTT with protamine sulfate as the antidote.