Cardiac Stepdown Unit Meds...

Apr 21, 2009 03:08 PM

by LovePurple

I just got all my background stuff and drug test done and am officially hired to start Monday on a cardiac stepdown unit. I have to take a cardiac drug test though to pass meds. I don't even know where to begin. If you have some meds that are constantly given on these floors.. or could refer me somewhere that has the meds and/or conversions for drips that would be great! Coming from pediatrics.. this is a WHOLE NEW BALL GAME!!! Thanks!

Virgo_RN · Apr 23, 2009, 02:46 AM

Re: Cardiac Stepdown Unit Meds...

Your beta blockers and calcium channel blockers would be a good start.

Purple_Scrubs · Apr 23, 2009, 11:05 AM

Re: Cardiac Stepdown Unit Meds...

Heparin, Cardizem, nitro, coumadin...it has been a while since I was on a step down so that is all I can think of for now. I think there is a sticky in the ER forum that has a lot of common meds for the ER, and lots of them are cardiac. You might check that out too.

*johnst10* · Apr 23, 2009, 11:07 AM

Re: Cardiac Stepdown Unit Meds...

Perhaps a look at the ACLS meds would be helpful. there is a lot of cross over and there are times you will be using them on the way back to the ICU or OR!

*johnst10* · Apr 23, 2009, 11:08 AM

Re: Cardiac Stepdown Unit Meds...

Originally Posted by LovePurple

I just got all my background stuff and drug test done and am officially hired to start Monday on a cardiac stepdown unit. I have to take a cardiac drug test though to pass meds. I don't even know where to begin. If you have some meds that are constantly given on these floors.. or could refer me somewhere that has the meds and/or conversions for drips that would be great! Coming from pediatrics.. this is a WHOLE NEW BALL GAME!!! Thanks!

I LOVE this area, I am jealous. Good luck and have fun.

fusster · Apr 25, 2009, 08:44 AM

Re: Cardiac Stepdown Unit Meds...

Well, there's the two drips I used last night-cardizem and dopamine

other calcium channel blockers like verapamil, Beta-blockers mostly lopressor, labetolol, and coreg, aspirin, amiodarone, digoxin, rythmol, ACE inhibitors mostly lisinopril, diuretics i.e. lasix, HCTZ, aldactone, demadex, and bumex, plavix, dobutamine, blood thinners like heparin, coumadin, and lovenox, nitrates i.e. SL NTG, IV NTG, transdermal NTG, Imdur; ARB's like cozaar, diovan, atacand. And always morphine for those MI's. Hope that helps.

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Cardiac Stepdown Unit Meds...

Cardiac Stepdown Unit Meds...

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