Cardiac Meds

[howsoon]

Need help from experienced RNs. I am a new grad RN working on a cardiac telemetry unit. I am trying to form a cheat sheet of all cardiac/HTN meds that require counting pulse for 1 min or blood pressure check before administering. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[piper79]

Second that-also a list of common meds on the tele floor. I start my hospital orientation on Thursday- not sure when I'll be on the floor.

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

I am sure this is not the answer you are looking for, but I can't help myself:

So the heart is a pump, so anything that affects its function is going to change how much it pumps (blood pressure) and how fast (heart rate). So almost all cardiac meds require you monitor pulse and BP.

Our unit's vital sign times conveniently come just before med pass time, and our patients are on continuous cardiac monitoring. So as I pull meds I check the EMR and monitor for the most current BP and pulse as well trends.

Your orientation will include information about meds.

And you should know, or want to know why you are giving each drug so that you can monitor effectiveness and any possible adverse effects.

I suggest purchasing a good cardiovascular drug book. One that I really like is

Drugs for the Heart by Lionel H. Opie MD DPhiL DSc FRCP and Bernard J. Gersh MB ChB DPhil FACC.

[CCL RN, RN]

I was going to respond the same way...

You don't need a med list. It's a crutch. If you have to refer to a med list to know when you perform nursing judgements/assessments then something is wrong.

Basically, it goes like this: you need to understand each and every med that you administer. If the med lowers BP then check a BP before and after.

If it lowers HR then check a HR before and after

Etc, etc

Use your nursing judgement. This can only be utilized by using it, not replacing it with lists, or flashcards.

Keep a med book in your nursing bag.

Look up each and every med that you do not know.

[RNextraordinare]

get a Epocrates! Worked like a charm when I was a new grad!