med pass difficulties

Kmwatt · Jan 25, 2014

Hi,I am a former CMA/CNA so I am pretty familiar with passing meds,I am currently starting my LPN classes on the 3rd,but I recommend studying a drug guide as well as downloading the App Drug Flash if you have a smart phone.It has flash cards & quizzes all on drugs & their uses.

Good luck!I hope this helps :)

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Mewsin · Jan 25, 2014

What about making drug cards for the clients you are passing meds to? When I pass meds in school I have a sheet of paper with each drug on it, and the times they are to be administered. It gives me a quick reference sheet as to what the drug does, what side effects there are and if there are any special requirements before giving (taking apical pulse for a cardiac drug).

SWM2009 · Jan 26, 2014

We've just started the "bringing it all together" part of med pass, and I'm freaking out! Any tips on how not to be completely overwhelmed. I have to look up every single med because I'm not familiar with any of them. I practice a lot. I take my time to think about what I'm doing (which adds to the stress because it takes me a long time). The actual administering doesn't stress me all that much. It just takes me forever! I get so caught up on trying to get it done quickly that I overlook some important parts. Please give me stories, help, advice, tips, ect.....
I'm not a give up type of person, so that's out of the question!

Well looking up the drugs is a key part so that is always going to be there. Do you know your patient assignments ahead of time? One of my frustrations with my school is that we didn't know till we got to clinical which patients we had been assigned so researching drugs or diseases ahead of time was not possible. Eventually, you will become familiar with more drugs and you will learn which ones are most commonly taken in the patient population you are caring for.

I would say that for most students, the med pass is slow in the beginning but eventually you get into the groove of things and you get faster. Is your instructor telling you that you are too slow or is this your issue? I ask because in my experience, most of my clinical instructors preferred students take their time and do it right instead of rushing, especially in the beginning.