Meds

[Creak Freak]

I am confused about drugs like propranolol and lopressor. Do they make you lose water or lower your blood pressure? What happens if someone has low blood pressure should we hold the propranolol?

[loriangel14, RN]

I think the OP is trying to educate herself, she came here with a question because this would be a reasonable place to look for an answer- since we should all know these things. Yes, maybe she could have Googled it or found it somewhere else, but she's using this as a resource. To talk down to her because she didn't know something seems quite condescending from a group of people committed to helping others.

She should have learned this in pharm in school.

Propanolol can be given for mnay reasons, like tremors. It's even used by surgeons to keep their hands steady in surgery.

[missnurse89]

I agree. As nurses, it is our duty to educate through ENCOURAGING others and not discouraging. It is perfectly fine to ask a question. This is a VERY good quality to have as a nurse. Otherwise you WILL make a mistake or hurt someone. So it is great that you are asking. Good job! :) So many nurses can and may make you feel insignificant for asking a question. Reasoning like "you should already know this," that's the way I was taught" or "that's how its always been" are not good enough for myself or my patients and is not helpful at all (counterproductive actually). Any question warrants an answer. The only "dumb question" is the question that is not asked. Do not play into hateful comments. There are some on the site who like to respond arrogantly or rudely. Others just have no manners.

The best way to learn drugs are by class. Usually they have the same suffixes (generic). I make up phrases or little songs (silly, I know) to help me remember the high points. Have you tried flash cards? Maybe try making a grid? Also there are some really good books out there: Saunders Nclex review has a good section on pharmacology and also the Made Easy books are AWESOME for pharmacology and pathophysiology. I would recommend the Made Easy books. They will give you exactly what you are looking for. The question you have is more complex than I could respond to in a comment. It is just something you will have to look into because as I posted before, it depends on the pathology of the HTN and how the med is affecting the patient. Always ask "why THIS med for THIS patient?" Meds are not always given to someone for its most common usage. Just for example, Depo-Provera may be prescribed for contraception. However a woman may be on it for Endometriosis and not as a contraceptive measure. Hope this helps!

[loriangel14, RN]

I wasn't trying to be discouraging. I was amazed that she was giving meds with no idea of what she was giving and how they worked. Yes it is good she is asking questions. I just wonder if she understands any of the meds she is giving.

[annieboo444]

I don't ever give a med unless I know what it is. I look it up real fast it only takes a minute! Download a med book on your phone or bring a book to work. I have only been a nurse for about 6 months so I am looking up meds often. It helps.

[aortas]

Holding meds is dependent on facility/ MD protocol. We are not allowed to hold a med unless the order is written with parameters to hold if under certain SBP/AP etc

[missnurse89]

It does vary by facility but also this is where your nursing judgment comes into play. There is never a black or white answer. If the BP or HR was lower but still in parameters but patient is now SOB or confused which is a new finding I am gonna call the doctor before I give that med. Call me crazy but I would rather "inconvenience" a doctor than put my patient in danger.

[Pat_Pat RN]

Seriously? You all know exactly how every med works? She knew it was for BP. And I didn't see her saying she was an LPN as it being as "excuse" as two of you jumped on her about.

"Nurses: Eating their young since xxxx."

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

I think we were all surprised that she said "I'm an LPN, I don't always understand what I read" that is alarming.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I hope we haven't scared off the OP by arguing among ourselves.

I am concerned with her statement that she doesn't always understand what she reads. I'm glad she came here to learn something, but I also hope she is asking her co-workers and supervisors to explain things as well. Perhaps a remedial reading course is needed to increase her comprehension. We all have things we're not particularly good at, but we also have the obligation to work on them if they're required for our jobs.

OP, I hope you're not giving medications without at least a basic understanding of how they work. Keep a drug book with you or install an app on your smartphone so you can look them up as you need to. If you have trouble with reading comprehension, please consider my suggestion about taking a course to refresh those skills. You made it through LPN school, surely you can do this.