Meds that require lab values prior to administration

[RescueNinja2013]

Hello everyone, I just completed Nursing 101 and I would like to put together a list of medications that require lab values to be viewed and/or questioned prior to administration to the patient. For example, checking a patient's Partial Thromboplastin Time lab values before giving him heparin or any anticoagulant. Or taking BP (and/or all VS) before giving Digoxin.

Or, vice versa -questionable labs that require me to call the MD (possibly to request meds).

I want to be ahead of the game for Nursing 102, especially for clinicals, and I just want to utilize my study time before class in the midst of January, so I'd appreciate ALL your help, and rationals behind your responses.

Thank you!

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

Your list would be extremely long. That is why there are drug books and references made available at facilities. For any hypertensive medications, what would you check for before administering the medication? Also, depending upon the action of the drug, what else would you check for? When administering Lasix, what electrolyte are you checking upon? This list goes on and on. The more you work on the floor, the more comfortable you become at asking these questions. I understand your wanting to work ahead and prepare and I commend you on it. As you already know, nursing school it tough. Take your upcoming break to do just that…break from the studying and enjoy the holiday! It will all come in time

[RescueNinja2013]

Thank you ParkerBeanCurdRN,BSN,

I understand about the drug books and their references, but I guess I'm looking for various scenarios, especially from experienced nurses because I think everyone has different points of views on what to look for and what they would do -just their perspective. For example, my instructor drilled labs for heparin into us. I know there are plenty more:eek: -countless more values of importance, but like her perspective, I think it would be good to hear what others would "drill" into students if they were nursing instructors. :)

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

since you ask, this former instructor would (and always did) stress knowing the why of everything you do for the patient. this includes the various components of the medical plan of care, because we are legally bound to deliver it if it is safe-- we're responsible for knowing that, too. this also includes the rationales for the components of the nursing plan of care, which you will develop based on your nursing assessment.

if you never, ever give a medication you don't understand, and never, never read a lab result you don't understand, you will quickly come to realize what's important. it does take some time, but your instructor will expect you to know your meds and rationales, and that will help you get there.

[Pneumothorax, BSN, RN]

Hello everyone, I just completed Nursing 101 and I would like to put together a list of medications that require lab values to be viewed and/or questioned prior to administration to the patient. For example, checking a patient's Partial Thromboplastin Time lab values before giving him heparin or any anticoagulant. Or taking BP (and/or all VS) before giving Digoxin.

Or, vice versa -questionable labs that require me to call the MD (possibly to request meds).

I want to be ahead of the game for Nursing 102, especially for clinicals, and I just want to utilize my study time before class in the midst of January, so I'd appreciate ALL your help, and rationals behind your responses.

Thank you!

the simple answer to this: you will eventually learn it all over time. no one knows all the indications etc right out the box.

i will say , the best thing you can do if u wanna learn your stuff , is know your meds, know your drug classes.

know the suffixes of the meds. by grouping them up this way it'll help.

eventually it'll all become second nature :)