Untitled Flashcard Set

Medication orders

Should include medication name, dosage, route of administration, purpose for PRN, and signature.

PRN orders

Medications prescribed 'per as needed' based on the patient's pain and symptoms.

One time orders

Prescribed for single administration at a specific time and then discontinued.

Stat orders

Prescription for a single dose of medication to be administered as soon as possible.

Verbal orders

Used only in emergencies.

Telephone/fax medication orders

Must be written down, read back, and co-signed.

Controlled substances

Medications with a high potential for abuse that must be controlled and properly secured.

Multiple routes of administration

Require multiple orders.

Standing protocol orders

Pre-approved medical directives allowing providers to administer medications without a specific prescription.

Safe medication administration

Includes proper storage, checking allergies, dosage appropriateness, and patient assessments.

6 rights of medication administration

Right patient, medication, dose, route, time, and documentation.

3 checks

Checking medication name, dose, and route at least three times.

Medication error statistics

1.5 million errors per year with thousands of deaths.

High Alert Medications

Medications that contribute to harmful errors and require extra precautions.

Physiologic changes in the elderly

Include decreased circulation, slower absorption, and decreased excretory functions.

Client education importance

Prevents medication errors and improves compliance.

Important client education elements

Medication name, dosage, timing, purpose, and side effects.

Cons of oral route

Not suitable for patients who cannot swallow or are nauseated.

IV syringe use

Should never be used to measure oral medications.

PEG tube

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy; a long-term feeding tube.

OS abbreviation

Left eye.

OD abbreviation

Right eye.

OU abbreviation

Both eyes.

Otic route medications

Should be kept at body temperature.

Frequent decongestant use

Can cause rebound nasal congestion.

MDI

Metered dose inhaler; should be assessed before and after use.

DPI

Dry powder inhaler; requires proper technique to avoid oral thrush.

Parenteral route

Meds administered by injection or infusion.

Tissue damage risk

Can occur with inappropriate pH, osmotic pressure, or solubility in parenteral medications.

Reconstituting medications

Mixing a powder medication with fluid before administration.

Insensible loss

Continuous loss of pure water through evaporation.

Clear liquid diet

No pulp drinks, clearly visible foods.

Full liquid diet

All fluids and foods that become liquid at room temperature.

Soft diet

Foods with reduced fiber content requiring less energy for digestion.

Diet as tolerated

Regular diet depending on patient's appetite and ability.

Colloid fluid type

Large-sized particles that remain in blood vessels for volume expansion.

Crystalloid fluid type

Small-sized particles that dissolve in water.

Types of colloids

Includes packed red blood cells, plasma, and albumin.

Plasma expanders

IV fluids that temporarily increase blood plasma volume.

Additives in fluids

Components mixed into solutions to modify properties.

Isotonic fluids

No cell change, expands vascular volume; may cause fluid overload.

Hypotonic fluids

Cells expand but fluid shifts out of vessels; may worsen hypotension.

Intradermal injections

Administered just below the dermis; used for allergy testing.

Injection angle for intradermal

5–15 degrees.

Subcutaneous injections

Administered into subcutaneous tissue; commonly for insulin.

Subcutaneous sites

Upper arm, abdomen, thigh; varies with absorption rates.

Vials of insulin shelf life

Good for 30 days unrefrigerated once opened.

Heparin precautions

Need special care to prevent bruising and bleeding.

Enoxaparin precautions

Do not remove the air bubble in its pre-filled syringe.

IM injections

Administered into muscle layer; sites include deltoid and vastus lateralis.

Z-track method

Used for irritating medications to reduce tracking.

Safest site for IM injections

Ventrogluteal site.

Urine formation

Regulates body fluids and substances; starts at glomerulus.

Urine excretion trigger

Occurs when bladder stretches with 250–400 mL of urine.

Factors affecting urinary elimination

Fluid intake, body position, cognition, psychological factors.

Urinary tract infections causation

Caused by microorganisms from the GI tract, especially in women.

Meds affecting urine output

Diuretics increase output; anticholinergics can cause retention.

Dysuria

Painful voiding often due to infection.

Polyuria

Excessive urine output, often linked to diabetes.

Oliguria

Low urine output, indicating possible dehydration.

Anuria

Very low urine output, often associated with renal failure.

Urgency

Increased need to void; may indicate infection.

Urinary incontinence types

Includes stress, urge, reflex, and functional.

Enuresis definition

Involuntary voiding after age 4–5 years.

Urinary diversion

Surgical procedure altering pathway for urine.

Kegel exercise definition

Strengthens pelvic floor muscles.

Incontinence management items

Includes absorbent products and external catheters.

Intermittent catheterization

Catheter inserted and removed to manage retention.

Indications for indwelling catheter

Used for critically ill patients, urinary retention, and severe incontinence.

CAUTI definition

Infection developing with indwelling catheter.”},{