Meds

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!

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.

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

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.

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."

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