lists of medications + their classifications, holds, and nursing considerations
How would you explain METOPROLOL to a patient?
CLASSIFICATION: Beta Blocker
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: May cause dizziness, risk for falls
a.k.a LOPRESSOR
METOPROLOL is a BETA BLOCKER that helps lower your blood pressure. While taking this medication, you may feel some symptoms of dizziness, which can put you at risk for falls. If you ever feel like you are dizzy, please let me know.
How would you explain COLACE to a patient?
CLASSIFICATION: Stool Softener
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: May cause diarrhea
a.k.a DOCUSATE
CLOASE is a STOOL SOFTENER, that will help you go to the bathroom more easily. You may experience diarrhea while taking this medication. If you start experiencing diarrhea, please let me know.
How would you explain FUROSEMIDE/LASIX to a patient?
CLASSIFICATION: loop diuretic
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: May cause dizziness
a.k.a FUROSEMIDE/LASIX
LASIX (FUROSEMIDE) is a LOOP DIURETIC, that can help lower your blood pressure. Side effects of this medication can include dizziness, so if you start feeling dizzy, please let me know.
How would you explain ROCEPHIN to a patient?
CLASSIFICATION: Cephalosporin Antibiotic
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: May cause diarrhea or upset stomach
CEFTRIAXONE
ROCEPHIN is an antibiotic for cephalosporin, which treats bacterial infections. While you taking this medication, you might experience some diarrhea. If you do, please let me know.
How would you explain HUMULIN NPH to a patient?
CLASSIFICATION: Intermediate-acting hormone
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: Call for any concerns, especially for signs/symptoms of hypoglycemia
HUMULIN NPH is an intermediate-acting hormone that will help control your blood glucose levels. If yous start displaying symptoms of hypoglycemia as feelings of anxiety, dizziness, fast heart rate, and etc. please let me know.
How would you explain TUBERCULIN PURIFIED PROTEIN DERIVATIVE (PPD) to a patient?
CLASSIFICATION: diagnostic agent
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: The site must be checked by a RN or provider/physician in 48 hours. Positive signs are redness and induration but do not necessarily reflect a positive status of TB. Further investigation is needed.
PPD is a diagnostic agent to check if you have tuberculosis. You will have to come back again in 48 hours, and an RN or your physician will look for any positive signs of tuberculosis & determine if any future investigation is needed.
How would you explain REGULAR INSULIN to a patient?
CLASSIFICATION: Short-acting hormone
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: Call for any concerns especially for signs/symptoms of low blood sugar, which may include fatigue/lethargy, sweating, dizziness, hunger, fast heartbeat, feeling shaky, irritability.
REGULAR INSULIN is a short-acting hormone, that will help control your blood glucose levels. While taking this medication, you may feel symptoms caused by low blood sugar, such as tiredness, sweating, dizziness, hunger, a fast heartbeat, etc. If you start feeling any of these symptoms, please let me know.
A patient asks you,” Why do I need to take Humulin NPH and Insulin? Isn’t that like double the Insulin?” How would you respond to them?
HUMULIN NPH is an intermediate-acting hormone, so the medication will take around 5-6 hours to be effective. While INSULIN is a short-acting hormone, allowing the medication to take 5-15 minutes to be effective.
How would you explain HEPARIN to a patient?
CLASSIFICATION: Anticoagulant, Inhibit Xa, IIa, fibrin stabilizing factor.
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: Call for any injury sustained. As it is a “blood-thinner” (anticoagulant), it is used to prevent or treat clots, you may bruise more and bleeding will take longer to stop.
HEPARIN is a blood thinner that can help prevent blood clots. While taking this medication, you may notice that you bruise easily or any bleeding will take longer to stop. If you notice any of these symptoms, please let me know.
How would you explain DIGOXIN to a patient?
CLASSIFICATION: Cardiac Glycosides
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: May cause dizziness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, changes in vision. Call with concerns.
DIGOXIN is a cardiac glycoside that helps to treat heart failure and certain irregular heartbeats. While taking this medication, you may experience symptoms of dizziness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and changes in vision. If you notice any of these symptoms, please let me know.
How would you explain ASPRIN to a patient?
CLASSIFICATION: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID), anti-platelet aggregate
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: Call for any injury sustained. Aspirin acts to make platelets less sticky to prevent clotting, you may bruise more, and bleeding will take longer to stop.
ASPRIN is used to prevent your blood from clotting, so you may experience some symptoms of bruising or notice that bleeding will take a longer time to stop. If you notice any of these symptoms, please let me know.
When would you NOT give a patient METOPROLOL?
Low HR, Low BP, Allergy
When would you NOT give a patient COLACE?
Loose BM, Allergy
When would you NOT give a patient LASIX/FUROSEMIDE
Low K+, Low BP, Allergy
When would you NOT give a patient ROCEPHIN?
Allergy
When would you NOT give a patient HUMULIN NPH?
Low Capillary Blood Glucose, Allergy
When would you NOT give a patient TUBERCULIN PURIFIED PROTEIN DERIVATIVE (PPD)?
Allergy
When would you NOT give a patient REGULAR INSULIN (R)?
Capillary Glucose out of range, Allergy
When would you NOT give a patient HEPARIN?
Allergy, imminent surgery (if there is a potential for any upcoming surgery, consult the physician for ANY anticoagulant)
When would you NOT give a patient DIGOXIN?
Low HR, Low K+
When would you NOT give a patient ASPRIN?
Allergy, imminent surgery (if there is a potential for any \n upcoming surgery, consult the physician for ANY anti-platelet aggregate)
What are the “normal” values for HEART RATE?
60-100
What are the “normal” values for BLOOD PRESSURE?
sys
What are the “normal” values for POTASSIUM (K+)?
What are the “normal” values for SERUM GLUCOSE?
70-105
What are the “normal” values for BM STATUS?
formed/normal