A good NURSING drug guide?

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by Vsummer1
Oct 30, '02   Views: 2,129   Comments: 12

  1. Okay, I was waiting until I passed all my dose calc / medication tests before I bought a drug guide. The bookstore at school does not have the newly released one, so I will be going elsewhere to buy mine now that I really need it.

    I see that Lippencott's put out a new nurses drug guide in July 2002 stating it is the 2003 version. Davis Drug Guide has their 2002 also out in July. They cost about the same.

    WHICH DO YOU NURSES RECOMMEND, and do you know the differences? I will be needing to start my med passes next Monday, so really need input before I go and one.

    THANKS!
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    About Vsummer1

    Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 1,062; Likes: 7
    RN, ICU/CCU

    12 Comments

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  3. by Rena RN 2003
    Oct 30, '02
    Joined: May '02; Posts: 726; Likes: 17
    i have davis 2000 and just bought the david 2002 for my pda. i love that book.
  4. by memphispanda
    Oct 30, '02
    Occupation: new Med-Surg RN Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 957; Likes: 5
    I have Mosbys Nursing Drug reference. It has nursing implications along with the other junk you have to know (yes, I know it is all important junk LOL). I have the 2001 but there is a 2003 out. So far there has only been one med that I needed to look up that wasn't in my book, other than the occassional "house mix" that the pharmacy has made at the request of the physician.
  5. by Allison S.
    Nov 1, '02
    Occupation: Endless Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 81; Likes: 1
    I find the Lexi-Comp guides thorough yet easy to navigate. They also have a pedi guide a geri guide--more specialized than most, if you need.
  6. by almostanurse
    Nov 1, '02
    Occupation: nurse extern Joined: Oct '02; Posts: 56
    I find davis's drug guide to be easy to use and thats what i like
  7. by adrienurse
    Nov 1, '02
    Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 4,738; Likes: 104
    I have an old Davis's drug guide (4th ed.) as well as well as Mosby's. I think Davis is the standard, but I find Mosby's easier to read.
  8. by KarafromPhilly
    Nov 1, '02
    Occupation: midnite RN Specialty: cardiac ICU ; Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 230; Likes: 120
    I like the PDR Nurse's Drug Handbook. Very easy on the eyes and very thorough.
  9. by emily_mom
    Nov 2, '02
    Joined: Jul '02; Posts: 3,872; Likes: 18
    I am also in the market for a new drug book, as I can't stand the Nurse's PDR. After looking at many other brands, it is the most complete. However, I can't stand the see-thru thin paper and size 2 font they use. Also, they list 300 side effects (sometimes a whole page) and it is difficult to decipher which are the most pertinent. I kind of liked Springhouse. Let us know which one you decided on!

    Kristy

    My Pharm instructor always said to go to the bookstore and lay all the books out. Pick a few random drugs and look them up in each book. Then choose the one that best describes what you need. Many are written to be people friendly, and there is nothing wrong with that. If you have to look up 10 words to figure out what it really does, it's prob not the right book for you. Good luck.
    Last edit by emily_mom on Nov 2, '02
  10. by sjoe
    Nov 2, '02
    Occupation: Retired Specialty: 15 year(s) of experience in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg ; From: US ; Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 2,246; Likes: 48
    Your Pharm instructor had a very good idea.

    For myself, I use the Nursing 2003 (changes every year) drug handbook. Though their magazine is to nursing as Disney World is to the planet earth, their drug handbook is the one I wind up with year after year. I do not believe it is available for PDAs, though. I began suggesting this to them nearly 10 years ago, but never get a reply.
  11. by adrienurse
    Nov 2, '02
    Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 4,738; Likes: 104
    I try to stay away from the Springhouse publications -- not the best reputation when it comes to credibility -- always kind of dumbed down. Sorry to any book reps listening.
  12. by Vsummer1
    Nov 2, '02
    Occupation: RN, ICU/CCU Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 1,062; Likes: 7
    I guess I did what your pharm instructor said to do, except I hadn't read the thread yet! I pulled out 3 of them and opened them up to a random drug I hadn't heard of before. Davis did not have it listed, but Mosby's and Lippencotts did. Then I just kind of read through them and chose Lippencotts.

    I can still use my old 1999 Davis guide as a back up!
  13. by emily_mom
    Nov 4, '02
    Joined: Jul '02; Posts: 3,872; Likes: 18
    I can't remember if I looked at Lippincott's or not. Guess I'll have to make a trip to Border's and put one on my Christmas list!! Thanks for the reply!
  14. by Vsummer1
    Nov 4, '02
    Occupation: RN, ICU/CCU Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 1,062; Likes: 7
    I haven't actually used it yet though! I will let you know how it REALLY is once actually use it. I just figured that I know another student had Mosby's so the bigger the mix the more chance of one of us in our group having the drug in the book.

    I can't recommend it yet because I haven't needed to look anything up in it!

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