Common medications that has parameters?and should watch out for

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I'm a new nurse and I'm so paranoid in giving medications. What are common medications and important meds that has parameters before giving to the patient? Ex. Lasix I was told to check BP first and not give it if its > below the normal BP

I don't think the OP's question demanded a couple of the harsh responses she got. The responses discourage me a bit because I think that this is what people are talking about when they use the phrase "nurses eat their young." I think she was asking if they are any standard parameters for common medications...which to be honest I can't think of any right now off the top of my head (always look at labs and pertinent info before giving any med and always look it up if you don't know what it is for btw). I'm sure she studied pharmacology in school but in my opinion nursing school gave a poor representation of real world medication administration. Harsh responses aren't going to help her confidence level either.

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Dont forget insulin!

Had a nurse the other night try to give 25 units of Regular when the pt was 42....

I'm sorry I'm really new. But what's wrong with this? Is she too old to be given that dose? too much?

I'm really afraid. If the doctor ordered that. I would have given it! Scary

I'm sorry but it's been a while since I was a student in nursing school. I'm just asking. And they didn't teach us everything just the general, so I hope you guys understand.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I'm sorry I'm really new. But what's wrong with this? Is she too old to be given that dose? too much?

I'm really afraid. If the doctor ordered that. I would have given it! Scary. Do you always review?

I think the post was referring to 42 as the patient's blood sugar, not their age.

Try not to think of the Doctor's "Order" as an "Order", while an order is part of the overall plan, it's your responsibility as the Nurse to evaluate the plan and not implement part of the plan that you have not deemed appropriate, you always have the final say on what drugs you will administer, and with that comes the responsibility to know that it's appropriate to give, if you don't know why the patient needs a drug, don't give it until you do.

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Yes, always always look meds up. Get a palm or smart phone with apps. Then you can check any med quickly and see any usual parameters or what to watch for. Especially when we are new, this is essential. Plus i believe nursing as a profession is very dysfunctional. As a nurse with almost a year of experience it makes me so frustrated and sad.

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Thank you so much. :) It gets frustrating sometimes because I'm so paranoid.

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I hear you. Other nurses have told me they would rather have a paranoid question asking new grad rather than one that thinks they know it all. So at least we are on the right track. : )

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Thank you so much. :) It gets frustrating sometimes because I'm so paranoid.

Nothing wrong with paranoid. Nursing school teaches you what you don't know, if your a new grad and paranoid it just means Nursing school worked.

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Specializes in Trauma/Tele/Surgery/SICU.
Thank you so much. :) It gets frustrating sometimes because I'm so paranoid.

Paranoid is good! It means you care and that your smart!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I'm sorry I'm really new. But what's wrong with this? Is she too old to be given that dose? too much?

I'm really afraid. If the doctor ordered that. I would have given it! Scary

I'm sorry but it's been a while since I was a student in nursing school. I'm just asking. And they didn't teach us everything just the general, so I hope you guys understand.

He was talking about her blood sugar level, 42 already needs to an intervention to get it UP and the insulin would have lowered it more. Add the amount of the insulin she would have most likely died.

As far as giving the order if it's ordered, this is where our education comes into play and we do more then just pass meds and do what the doctor wants. (which takes time, I still second guess myself tons and ask for clarification or if something doesn't seem right) you have to remember that Docs are people too and can make mistakes; add to that you have first year docs that are a lot like first year nurses. Not in the same academic sense, but it's all new and intimidating and you're unsure of yourself and so on for most. I was talking to a Doc the other night and he says "Well what do you think, I am pretty new" I replied "I don't know I am new too, in fact I met you at New Employee orientation, let me ask the Charge" She knew what was typically done in that situation and we went with that. (It was also regarding a kiddo which the new residents aren't usually specialized in anything yet so it's learning for them too and stuff they might not have covered deeply).

But as a Nurse you have to be able to stop and make sure things seem right. I had a patient my last shift on a BP medication. She had high BP when she came in. She was in 12 days and her BP was getting pretty low. When I took it which I did twice, it was 87/52. The BP med did not have parameters so technically I was supposed to give it. I didn't though and I went and questioned it to my charge and we called the doc. It's not worth my license that I worked really hard for, or my patients life to be afraid to question an Order.

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I'm sorry I'm really new. But what's wrong with this? Is she too old to be given that dose? too much?

I'm really afraid. If the doctor ordered that. I would have given it! Scary

I'm sorry but it's been a while since I was a student in nursing school. I'm just asking. And they didn't teach us everything just the general, so I hope you guys understand.

This is very basic pharmacology. Did you keep any of your textbooks or binders upon binders of notes? Maybe go thru and review the pharmacology highlights.

Dont forget insulin!

Had a nurse the other night try to give 25 units of Regular when the pt was 42....

Absolutely unbelievable! Thank goodness most facilities require a co-signer on insulin!!!!

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Thank you for your post. I just finished a report about bullying and horizontal violence in nursing in my MSN program. It is very disappointing that the most respected and trusted professionals treat their new nurses in this uncivil manner. I appreciate that you stepped up in your post to stop the violence!

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

At the LTC where I worked we used a basic rule of thumb for anti-hypertensives most of our docs refused to write them. We would hold if the systolic was less than 110 or the pulse less than 60 unless otherwise ordered. This not only made our jobs easier but kept the regulatory agency happy.

Hppy

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