Drug Name Drug Class Indication Common Side Important Nursing
Effects Responsibilities
Adrenaline Alpha-Beta Anaphylaxis, Palpitations, Monitor vitals, correct
(Epinephrine) Adrenergic cardiac arrest, hypertension, dose (IM vs IV), ensure
1mg/mL asthma attack, tachycardia resuscitation equipment
severe allergic is ready
reactions
Adenosine Antiarrhythmic Paroxysmal Chest discomfort, Rapid IV push, flush
3mg/amp (Class IV) supraventricular flushing, dyspnea immediately, continuous
tachycardia (PSVT) cardiac monitoring
Amiodarone Antiarrhythmic Ventricular Hypotension, Monitor ECG,
150mg/3mL (Class III) arrhythmias, AFib bradycardia, thyroid liver/thyroid function,
dysfunction watch for pulmonary
toxicity
Atropine Sulfate Anticholinergic Bradycardia, Dry mouth, blurred Monitor HR, avoid in
1mg/1mL organophosphate vision, tachycardia glaucoma, ensure
poisoning emergency crash cart
access
Dexamethasone Corticosteroid Severe GI upset, Monitor glucose, taper
8mg/2mL inflammation, hyperglycemia, dose gradually, watch for
cerebral edema immunosuppression infection signs
Clopidogrel Antiplatelet MI, stroke Bleeding, rash, GI Monitor for bleeding,
prevention, post- upset avoid NSAIDs, assess
PCI platelet count
Diazepam Benzodiazepine Seizures, anxiety, Drowsiness, Monitor RR, BP, watch
10mg/2mL status epilepticus hypotension, for dependence or
respiratory withdrawal
depression
Diphenhydramine Antihistamine Allergic reactions, Sedation, dry Avoid alcohol, assess
50mg/mL anaphylaxis adjunct mouth, dizziness allergy history, monitor
sedation level
Dobutamine Beta-1 Agonist, Heart failure, Tachycardia, Monitor ECG, BP, IV site
200mg/5mL Inotrope cardiogenic shock arrhythmias, for infiltration
hypertension
Dopamine Vasopressor, Shock, hypotension Arrhythmias, Titrate dose, monitor
200mg/5mL Inotropic Agent angina, renal perfusion, central
extravasation line preferred
Dextrose 50% Hypertonic Hypoglycemia, Phlebitis, Give via large vein,
50mL Glucose insulin overdose hyperglycemia monitor glucose, ensure
patent IV
Furosemide Loop Diuretic Edema, Hypokalemia, Monitor I&O,
20mg/2mL hypertension dehydration, electrolytes, administer
ototoxicity slowly IV
Haloperidol 5mg Antipsychotic Agitation, Extrapyramidal Monitor for EPS, ECG
psychosis, delirium symptoms, sedation (QT prolongation),
assess mental status
Hydrocortisone Corticosteroid Adrenal GI upset, Cushingoid Taper gradually, monitor
250mg/2mL insufficiency, features glucose and infection
allergic reaction signs
Isosorbide Nitrate Angina, heart Headache, Take sitting/lying,
Dinitrate 5mg tab Vasodilator failure hypotension monitor BP, avoid
sildenafil
Isosorbide Nitrate Acute angina Dizziness, flushing Monitor BP/HR, assess
Mononitrate Vasodilator chest pain, slow IV push
10mg/10mL
Lanoxin (Digoxin) Cardiac CHF, AFib Bradycardia, Check apical pulse,
0.5mg/2mL Glycoside nausea, digoxin monitor K+, digoxin level
toxicity
Isoptin (Verapamil) Calcium Channel SVT, hypertension, Hypotension, Monitor HR, BP, do not
Blocker angina bradycardia, give with beta-blockers
constipation
Lidocaine Antiarrhythmic Ventricular Drowsiness, Cardiac monitoring,
(Class Ib), arrhythmias, local confusion, seizures assess neuro status,
Anesthetic anesthesia (toxicity) check lidocaine level
Levophed Vasopressor Hypotension, shock Bradycardia, Central line, monitor
(Norepinephrine) Alpha-Beta ischemia, perfusion & BP
Adrenergic extravasation continuously
Agonists
Magnesium Sulfate Electrolyte, Eclampsia, torsades Flushing, Monitor reflexes, RR,
Anticonvulsant de pointes hypotension, serum magnesium
respiratory
depression
Metoclopramide Antiemetic, GI Nausea, Drowsiness, EPS, Monitor for EPS, avoid in
stimulant gastroparesis diarrhea bowel obstruction
Morphine Opioid Analgesic Severe pain, MI Respiratory Monitor RR, pain score,
depression, naloxone available
constipation
Sodium Antacids Metabolic acidosis, Hypernatremia, Monitor ABG, administer
Bicarbonate cardiac arrest alkalosis slowly, avoid mix with
calcium
Nalbuphine Opioid Agonist- Moderate to severe Sedation, nausea, Monitor RR, pain, avoid
Antagonist pain dizziness with other CNS
depressants
Phenytoin Anticonvulsant Seizures Ataxia, gingival Give slowly IV, monitor
hyperplasia, rash level, oral care needed
Tramadol Analgesic Moderate pain Dizziness, nausea, Monitor for CNS
(opioid-like) seizures depression, avoid with
MAOIs
Tranexamic Acid Antifibrinolytic Bleeding control, Nausea, Monitor bleeding, use
trauma, thromboembolism with caution in
menorrhagia thrombotic hx
Drug and IV Computation
1. Flow Rate (gtts/min)
Using
2. Infusion Rate (mL/hr)
3. Dosage Calculation
4. IV Medication Dosage
- Use in dopamine, dobutamine, etc.
Medical Abbreviations Used in ICU
Abbreviation Meaning
ABG Arterial Blood Gas
ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support
ARDS Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
BP Blood Pressure
BPM Beats Per Minute
CABG Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
CCU Coronary Care Unit
CHF Congestive Heart Failure
CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CVP Central Venous Pressure
DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis
ECG/EKG Electrocardiogram
ETT Endotracheal Tube
FiO2 Fraction of Inspired Oxygen
ICU Intensive Care Unit
IV Intravenous
MAP Mean Arterial Pressure
NPO Nil Per Os (Nothing by Mouth)
PACU Post Anesthesia Care Unit
PEEP Positive End-Expiratory Pressure
PRN As Needed
RR Respiratory Rate
SOB Shortness of Breath
DOB Difficulty in Breathing
TPN Total Parenteral Nutrition
VAP Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
VT/VF Ventricular Tachycardia/Ventricular
Fibrillation
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
ICU Common Diagnosis Abbreviations
Abbreviation Diagnosis
AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction
ARDS Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
AKI Acute Kidney Injury
CHF Congestive Heart Failure
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
DIC Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
DKA Diabetic Ketoacidosis
HTN Hypertension
HHS Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State
MI Myocardial Infarction
PE Pulmonary Embolism
PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
SAH Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
SIRS Systemic Inflammatory Response
Syndrome
SEPSIS Systemic Infection with Inflammatory
Response
TIA Transient Ischemic Attack
UTI Urinary Tract Infection
VT Ventricular Tachycardia
VF Ventricular Fibrillation
CVA Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
HAP Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia
VAP Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
CAP Community-Acquired Pneumonia
PCAP-MR Pediatric Community-Acquired Pneumonia,
Moderate Risk
SAE Severe Asthma Exacerbation
Glasgow Coma Scale
1. Eye Opening – 1 to 4
2. Verbal Response – 1 to 5
3. Motor Response – 1 to 6
E + V + M = Total GCS
Minimum = 3
Maximum = 15
Eye Opening (E)
4 – Spontaneous
3 – To speech
2 – To pain
1 – None
Verbal Response (V)
5 – Oriented
4 – Confused conversation
3 – Inappropriate words
2 – Incomprehensible sounds
1 – None
Motor Response (M)
6 – Obeys commands
5 – Localizes pain
4 – Withdraws from pain
3 – Flexion to pain (decorticate)
2 – Extension to pain (decerebrate)
1 – None
Interpretation
• 13–15 = Mild brain injury or normal
• 9–12 = Moderate injury
• ≤8 = Severe injury, often requires intubation