I hear everyone talking about drug cards that they have to make up, I was curious as someone starting ns in 2 weeks, could someone explain what a drug card contains, how it's set up and when they are used. I was thinking at first people were making flash cards for themselves, but the more I hear about them the more I am thinking this is an organized thing done that schools have us do.

Thank you.

Catherine

Depends on what you want to go on and how you want it setting out. My idea would be

Drug name and classification

action and any interaction

Side effects

Own way to remember the drug easy

Depends on what you want to go on and how you want it setting out. My idea would be

Drug name and classification

action and any interaction

Side effects

Own way to remember the drug easy

thanks I was just wondering if this was a personal study tool, or if this was something programs required and there was a standard. I have seen them mentioned a few times so was curious.

thank you for taking the time to respond.

our program requires that we hand write out drug cards for the routine & PRN (as needed) meds for our patients for our clinical day.

mine include:

- drug name (generic & trade)

- normal dose

- classification

- uses

- adverse effects

- nursing implications

Eww..drug cards, lol. We have to do them for the meds that we give. They include:

-Name of drug

-Classification

-Pt's dose

-Safe dose range

-Half-life

-Metabolism and extretion

-Lab values that may be affected

-Side effects/adverse affects

-Pt teaching

-Nursing implications

Our school also requires that we have them done, it just started this semester (we go back the 14th) and have to have 15 completed by that day, ours include:

Broad classification, specific classification, generic name, trade name, indications for use, dosage, side effects, and nursing strategies.

our drug cards include:

-generic name

-brand name

-normal dose range

-drug classification

-pertinent lab values

-adverse reactions

-patients dose

-indications for this patient

-nursing teaching points

i usually write the pts dose, indications and teaching points in pencil so that i can erase them and reuse it next semester for a different patient on the same med.

We do a couple different kinds. We do drug med cards for clinical, for every drug we are to give. First year, the instructors were really strict about checking them and making sure they were complete and asking us information on the drugs we were giving (without looking at our card!) This year, they still ask questions about the drug, but we are not required to turn the drug cards in for clinical. Some instructors still check them, and some do not. You still have to know your drug though. Basically the side effects, action, uses, contraindications etc. We also have graded drug classification cards that we turn in at our theory class when we go over certain units. We have about 20 due a semester, worth a total of 20 points. Those are more in depth about certain classes of drugs. We use the biggest card and some type them out, some write them out. They have lots of info on them.

our drug cards include:

-generic name

-brand name

-normal dose range

-drug classification

-pertinent lab values

-adverse reactions

-patients dose

-indications for this patient

-nursing teaching points

i usually write the pts dose, indications and teaching points in pencil so that i can erase them and reuse it next semester for a different patient on the same med.

That's a great idea about penciling in specific info on the pt and reusing, thank you.

So this is something you do and keep in a file (obviously) and can be reused.

I wasn't sure if you wrote them and handed them in or if it was a study technique.

Thanks everyone for clearing that up.

I'm very anti-drug card. lol We were required to do them first year and when you have 20 meds and you only find out the night before, sometimes you'd stay up until 4am and it's just not at all helpful if it's wasting your time. So, second year we were completely prepared to do them and our instructors said "pssh...you don't have time do that, just review them meds the night before, no need for cards." I cannot tell you what a relief that was. I've been so much more successful this year without all of the extra stuff that I don't personally find helpful. It it works for you then that's great but I think it should be made an option and not a requirement.