Medications Commonly Used on a Cardiac Unit

[VickieStudentNurse]

Hi everyone!

I've been super busy with school lately, and I've now entered my second semester. I've started Nursing 102, and one of the requirements is that we look up our patient's meds, and format cards for each medication. The card contains the generic and trade name, therapeutic class, pharmacologic class, key points for administration, and other patient specific things, like route, dose and time of administration.

I just started on a cardiac unit, and I was wondering if some more experienced nurses and students alike could tell me what the most common medications are on a cardiac floor. I wanted to get a jump on my cards, so my work load isn't so heavy when I do my initial patient look up. I figured if I could find out what the top 10 or 20 meds were, I could learn about them and make the cards ahead of time, I would better understand the basics about the drug when I actually came upon a patient who was prescribed it.

I really appreciate the help... a generic, or trade name for some meds would be great. Once I find those out, I can research the rest! :)

[JustinAllen]

Vickie,

Thanks for the info. In our program (BSN program) we have been giving all meds since our 3rd day of clinicals. Once we have given meds with an instructor the first time we were allowed to give them without instructor supervision after that. Except for IV meds, they always need supervision. Most of our other work can be done alone once we show advanced competency in the skill, however we have a great instructor/student ratio and they are usually interested in watching.

They have also tried to pick patients that were within our area of study for that week but as you know so many patients have multiple system issues, so there were plenty of other meds that we had to know. And like you, our instructors grill us on everything about the med we are about to give, including patho of the med and why that specific patient was getting it. We also have been asked about interactions with other meds as well...lots of studying the evening before clinicals :)

Look at your patients meds, see the picture they paint, why they are on them, what the side effects are, and how they are responding to them. USe your critical thinking skills and all of this will let you get a better handle on meds....even if you haven't given that specific med before.

[VickieStudentNurse]

Justin- I have to say... I am a little jealous that you've been able to get all that experience! I wouldn't be so nervous now if I had gotten some of that under my belt already. It sounds like your school is preparing you really well for the job!

[aphoris]

Lisinopril, Norsvac, enaliprat, Cozaar, benicar, nitropaste, nitroglycerin, COREG, amioradone, aldactone, morphine

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

Electrolye replacement...potassium and magnesium especially. Not quite as common but still frequent enough to have some idea about how to treat is sodium imbalances, which can be tricky to treat.

Be familiar with the ACLS meds as well, not necessarily to the same extent but at least read up on them, as several of them are used in less critical situations as well.

We also tend to have everyone on proton pump inhibitors.

Tele tends to be a mixed bag where I work. Hopefully you'll get the opportunity to see a good mix of patients.

[RNKPCE]

renal dose dopamine, epogen, diltiazem, atropine, lidocaine, amiodarone, the various ways nitroglycerin comes in,

[Ang83RN]

Cardizem, amiodarone, NTG, beta-blockers esmolol, coreg, metoprolol, among others, Aspirin, diuretics like lasix, HCTZ; Hydralazine, Clonidine, Ace inhibitors and ARB's for CHF pt's, statins for MI pt's, Heparin, Lovenox, Integrillin, I'm sure I am leaving some out, Dopamine for renal perfusion, oral potassium and IVPB, Mag. Sulfate Riders/orally

[Ang83RN]

Oh and everyones favorite Dilaudid :)