8 Drugs that ICU Nurse need to know: Drugs guide
8 Drugs Every ICU Nurse Needs to Know. These drugs are used frequently and in high intensity situations. It is imperative that you know what they are.
Here is a list of drugs every ICU nurse should know: it will help you in the exam preparation.
| Adenosine An endogenous nucleoside, slows conduction down through the AV node. Treats supraventricular tachycardia and sometimes atrial tachycardia (but I've never personally seen that). Extremely short half life- <10 seconds.  |
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| Amiodarone Antiarrhythmic that effects the sodium, potassium, and calcium channels. Vasodilates. Used in V tach, V fib, and sinus tachycardia. AtropineAntocholinergic, enhances the conduction in the AV node. Drug of choice in treating bradycardia.  |
Epinephrine Potent cathcholamine. Increases heart rate, blood pressure. Used to treat Asystole, V tach, V fib, or bradycardia. |
| Lidocaine Antiarrhythmic used alternatively to Amioderone. Treats V fib or V tach.  |
Procainamide Antiarrhythmic, used to treat sustained V tach. |
Sotalol Beta Blocker. Treats A fib or A flutter. |
| Vasopressin Synthetic antiarrhythmic. Used to treat Asystole, V tach, or V fib.  |
Side Effects of the Drugs
Adenosine
Side effects: if the rhythm is worsening, if the patient’s blood pressure drops, shortness of breath, facial flushing, chest pain, tingling.
Amiodarone
hypotension, anaphylaxis, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, decreased potassium, decreased magnesium, nausea, liver injury.
Atropine
tachycardia, dry mouth, blurred vision, dilated pupils, tremor, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention.
Epinephrine
increased BP, N/V, anxiety, ventricular arrhythmias, stroke, tissue necrosis if the line infiltrates.
Lidocaine
decreased blood pressure, respiratory depression, bradycardia, toxicity (CNS depression and can lead to a seizure- can occur in infusions greater than 24 hours- so monitor blood levels of lidocaine- Therapeutic range is 1.5- 5 mcg/mL .)
Procainamide
hypotension, widening QRS, dsyrrhythmias, toxicity, and prolonged use can lead to lupus-erythematosus-like syndrome.
Sotalol
dizziness, fatigue, headache, weakness, nausea, bradycardia, shortness of breath, constipation.
Vasopressin
Anaphylaxis, tremor, sweating, N/V, heart block, decreased cardiac output, hypertension, angina, intestinal cramps, bronchoconstriction, water intoxication– administration of norepinephrine may exaggerate effects.