Starting clinical next week!

[Orizza]

What are some common drugs that are seen in nursing homes? I would like to have an idea of some so I'm not walking in blind.

[christina731]

Each patient that I had in LTC was on different meds. Lots of BP, DM, anxiety, pain, and supplemental meds but no specific meds to know.

[Orizza]

I figured I can't go wrong with Digoxin or Lasix because they are mentioned somehow in EVERY lecture.

[EuropaRN]

Yes, take a look at loop and thorazine diuretics. Chances are you'll see lots of diabetes meds, know the big ones like metformin. If you are in fundamentals you probably haven't had psych yet, but keep an eye out for tardive dyskinesia caused by first generation antipsychotics. Lip smacking and abnormal tongue movements are the key indicators.

[EuropaRN]

Yes take a look at loop and thorazine diuretics.[/quote']

Thiazide... That's what I get for replying with no sleep...

[Stella_Blue]

Yes take a look at loop and thorazine diuretics. Chances are you'll see lots of diabetes meds, know the big ones like metformin. If you are in fundamentals you probably haven't had psych yet, but keep an eye out for tardive dyskinesia caused by first generation antipsychotics. Lip smacking and abnormal tongue movements are the key indicators.[/quote']

While your at it impress your instructor and let her know what med you would give to counteract this adverse affect. I wouldn't be surprised if it came up and if they asked you. I wont tell you, Ill let you look it up, that helps me learn. My teachers were constantly asking me questions about meds. I still don't know them all it takes years of practice! Good luck!

[Stella_Blue]

Well I guess I should have been more specific! The med that reverses the adverse reaction of tardive dyskinesia

[Orizza]

I'll be looking that up when I get home from work. Thank you all so much!

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

diabetic meds like NPH, novolog, humulin®. Basically know the long acting and short acting ones. Some are premixed some you have to mix in the clinicals. Just remember Regular R goes in syringe first.

Heparin is also popular in LTC. Research Clostridium difficile (C. Diff) common nasty bacteria in LTC's and the drug to treat it, Flagyl and vancomycin. Males may have BPH, benign prostetic hyperplasia .

For skills practice and know how to do a glucose stick(know the normal levels),insulin administration, heparin administration, making beds, wet to dry wound cleaning, tube feedings and foley cath insertion,giving bed baths and ANY and ALL jobs a CNA would do . Of course it depends on the objectives your instructor wants you to learn.