MedSurg Nursing Medications Cheat Sheet
Perioperative
Antiem‐
etics
Ease N/V Zofran (Ondanste‐
ron), promwthazine
(Phenergan)
Inhaled
Anesthesia
"laughing gas" Puts the patient
asleep using inhalation as the
delivery method.
Nitrous oxide,
halothane, isoflu‐
rane, desflurane,
sevoflurane
General
Anesthesia
Combination of medications that
put a patient asleep. Typically
through IV access, but can be
paired with inhaled anesthesia
isoflurane,
halothane,
enflurane,
desflurane
Local/Reg‐
ional
Anesthesia
One time injection that numbs a
small area of the body
lidocane, priloc‐
aine, bupivacaine
Opiods Treat moderate-severe pain.
habit forming.
Oxycodone,
hydrocodone,
codine
Non-
Opiods
Treat mild-moderate pain, fever
and inflammation
Tylenol (acetamin
‐ophen), ibuprofen
(Motrin, Advil)
Asprin (Acetylsa‐
licylic Acid)
NSAIDS Treat inflammation, mild pain,
and fever
Ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil), Naproxen
(Aleve)
Cellular Regulation
Insulin regulates
glucose in the
blood
Regular (short-acting), Rapid-acting,
Intermediate-acting, Long-acting
Oral
Anti-d‐
iabetics
lower glucose
levels in blood
Metformin (Biguanides), Sulfonylureas,
Meglitinides, Thiazolidinediones
Cellular Regulation (cont)
Thyroid
Hormones
regulate metabolism,
thermogenesis and
protein, carbohydrate
and lipid metabolism
Triiodothyronine (T3), Tetrai‐
odothyronine (T4, thyroxine),
Calcitonin
Osteop‐
orosis
meds
(Bisph‐
osphon‐
ates)
treat osteoporosis Alendronate (Fosamax),
Risedronate (Actonel), Ibandr‐
onate (Boniva), Zoledronic
acid (Reclast), Calcium tablets
Oxygenation
Bronch
odi‐
lators
causes
widening of the
bronchi
Albuterol, Salmeterol, Formoterol
Antitu‐
ssives
prevents or
relieves cough
Codeine, dextromethorphan (Delsym
12 hr)
Antihi‐
sta‐
mines
stops allergy
symptoms
Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Diphenhydramine
(Benadryl), Fexofenadine (Allegra),
Loratadine (Claritin)
Decong
estants
shrink swollen
blood vessels
and tissues
Psudoephedrine (Sudafed), Oxymet
‐azoline (Afrin)
Antich‐
oli‐
nergics
blocks actions
of acetylcholine
atropine (atropen), belladonna
alkaloids, clidinium
Parkinsons
pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole
(Requip)
stimulate dopamine receptors
Carbidopa/Levodopa promotes dopamine synthesis
benztropine (Cogentin), trihexyph
‐enidyl (Artane)
helps control tremors, rigidity,
and drooling
