Common Meds in Tele

[nurseJ88]

Hello there, cardiac/ tele nurses! I start the new grad orientation program, my first job, in tele next January 2008!:balloons:

*WHAT ARE THE MEDS FREQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED ON TELE FLOOR?

Please kindly respond so that I can prepare before the orientation starts.

Thank you, in advance!

[al7139, ASN, RN]

Lopressor, Amiodarone, Nitroglycerin, Integrilin, Heparin, Digoxin, Cardizem, Lasix. Not to mention the insulins, antibiotics, potassium, magnesium, and pain meds. Plus coumadin, lovenox, plavix, and a ton of other drugs given for the pts other problems. Ativan and Xanax are biggies too, as well as various sleep aids like Ambien and Restoril.

In short, everything! I luckily have access to an online drug database as well as current drug books on my unit. Even the seasones nurses use them, so don't try to memorize them all. With experience, you gain the knowledge you need. Here is a good example of what I mean: Tonight I had a pt who was scheduled to get Lopressor PO, Amiodarone PO, and IV Lasix. I ALWAYS check BP and apical pulse prior to giving these meds. Her B/P was 108/62 and pulse was 85. Her tele rhythm was A-Fib. Occasionally the docs give parameters (withhold X med if B/P is

To make a long story short, you will learn what to do, and you will learn the drugs, it takes time, and don't expect to be perfect in the beginning. You never know everything, and although the basics are important, you don't need to cram these drugs into your head...better to take the time to analyze each pt and look up the drugs, than to give them and assume it will be the same for every pt.

Amy

[David's Harp]

Hytrin and Ranexa are two I've come across that I didn't see in school.

Bumex comes up alot when Lasix isn't enough. Labetalol, too, for when Lopressor doesn't cut it. Lot of Diovan on the floor, too.

Then there's all the stuff your dialysis & renal transplant patients will get, like Phos-lo, Renagel, & CellCept.

That's what's coming to mind for this newbie.

[liliana1219]

I'd like to add: Dopamine and Dobutamine drips! Also, are you familiar with calculating the drip rate for Milrinone, Dopamine, Dobutamine and NTG???

Let me know if not and I'll gladly send you the formulas!

I would also highly recommend a PDA to hang on your hip to check contraindications and drugs you may never have heard of! It's been a lifesaver for me since RN school!!

xo,

L

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

Hydralazine (seen a lot PRN for hypertension.)

[rjmolloy01]

This is very helpful. Thanks!

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

Some that may have been missed:

Clonidine PO (PRN hypertension)

Lovenox SC (Reduces the chance of DVTs and thrown emboli to heart, lungs, brain etc)

Enalaprilat/Vasotec IV (PRN hypertension)

Cardizem/Ditiliazem (helps to control high heart rates)

Atropine (Given with HRs below 40 or 50 depending on MD order; req sustained rate, req symptomatic pt.)

[WOLFE, BSN, RN]

Might also see natrecor

[WOLFE, BSN, RN]

Now that I am thinking...integrillin, toradol, cholesterol meds...zocor, zetia etc, neosynephrine, lidocaine, adenosine, if you have open heart patients as well as diabetics insulin, also aldactone, hydrochlorothiazide.