Med Pass Questions

[thompr2000]

I was wondering if any of you either have made or discovered a list of drugs requiring vitals to be taken before giving (exp. dig, HTN drugs) I know most of them, and unfamiliar drugs are always looked up before passing but I want to study up on all the vital sign specific drugs and Im hoping a nice list has already been composed rather than searching through my old notes from school. Any help would be appreciated.

[zumalong]

Don't know if you would find something like this that has all the meds that need vitals. If you are not sure about a medication--you should look it up in drug book just to be safe. you could also see if the unit you are on has a list of commonly used meds and make a list for yourself. Also some facilities have a partial list in their policy and procedures manual.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

All of the olols - beta blockers - require a BP before administration. Some physicians require it with prils - ACE inhibitors - also. ALWAYS get an apical before giving digoxin. Sometimes diuretics will be held based on BP as well.

The others I deal with require labs to evaluate therapeutic levels - dilantin, depakote, AND dig, lytes.

[fultzymom]

Our pharmacy prints on our MAR's the ones that need BP/HR, ect on it et gives a space for it to be recorded. I am not sure if all facilities do this but I think it is very helpful.

[flashpoint]

My facility prints the drug class and diagnosis for taking the med on the MARs. We also have a spot to chart the B/P, pulse, or whatever in the same space we chart the med.

[Dixiecup]

All of the olols - beta blockers - require a BP before administration. Some physicians require it with prils - ACE inhibitors - also. ALWAYS get an apical before giving digoxin. Sometimes diuretics will be held based on BP as well.

The others I deal with require labs to evaluate therapeutic levels - dilantin, depakote, AND dig, lytes.

That just isn't feasible in the LTC setting. No one would ever get their meds passed. We routinely take a pulse before digoxin but only take a BP if the Dr. orders it and it's written on the MAR.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

That just isn't feasible in the LTC setting. No one would ever get their meds passed. We routinely take a pulse before digoxin but only take a BP if the Dr. orders it and it's written on the MAR.

I'm in LTC.

[Cmariehart]

I'm in LTC too... On our MARS all the b/p, HR, give with food, milk, h20 are right there. On a couple of our residents we even have a slot for o2 sats on the MARS.. And we have a book of b/p that we need to get every day.