? for CVICU Nurses!

LCRN · Dec 13, 2005

What are y'all using for post-op pain control? All I've got are MS 2mg IV Q 1h PRN while on ventilator, Demerol 75mg/Phenergan IM Q 3h PRN, Vicodin when taking PO. This makes it tough to medicate for pain when they are newly extubated (hesitant to give the vicodin on an empty belly with no bowel sounds.) Not liking the Demerol, I've had 2 patients in the last 3 weeks go crazy :smiley_ab on me! One tried to choke me with his chest tubes. What does everybody else use?

Hello,

For our post-op hearts we normally use MSo4 for first 24 hours then use toradol if their creat is

LCRN

TennRN2004 · Dec 13, 2005

We also use Morphine 2-4mg IV Q1hr prn until they transfer to the floor. But, we have them take PO as soon as they are extubated and safe to do so. We have Percocet, Vicodin, and sometimes Valium helps them too, all of these are on our standing orders. We can also do Tordol if they continue to c/o pain without much relief from any/all of the above. The biggest thing we also use is a Precedex gtt. They all come back from the OR on it, extubate on it, and if they are having pain issues, can stay on the precedex gtt until they transfer out.

azrn22 · Dec 13, 2005

We use morphine also. Usually 2mg-8mg depending on Doc. Most are extubated within 4-8 hrs postop and in a chair2-6 hrs post extubation. When they are extubated we give percocet x2 and lose dose morphine for breakthrough pain.

We have a 15 bed CVICU and to up to 5 open hearts or thoracotomies per day. It gets pretty hectic at times.

darienblythe79 · Dec 16, 2005

We use Morphine as well, higher doses while intubated, and lower doses after extubation, then T3s or Darvocet. We have a 52-bed unit, hectic indeed. :uhoh3:

guest239592 · Jun 12, 2011

Fent gtt with bolus orders on all patients, generally weaned off by morning if extubated, taking PO etc.

Dilaudid while intubated

Morphine 2-4mg IV q1hr

Vicodin 1-2 tabs q4hr

Oxycontin 5-10mg q2hr

Torodol generally if pt is young, creat normal, has to be approved by surgeon though, all others listed above are all protocol. With the exception of younger male patients, and those with chronic pain or drug addicts, we can get pretty decent pain control with what's listed above.

esie · Jun 12, 2011

Pre-extubation, we immediately use paracetemol 6 hourly and use either 2mg boluses of morphine, or 20 mcg boluses of fentanyl (depending on the pt's age, kidney function, allergies etc) PRN. Once extubated, the pt has a PCI that delivers either 0.5mg morphine every 5 mins, or fentanyl...unfortunately if the patient is in acute pain after a turn, the PCI is not particularly effective.

MLB55 · Jun 14, 2011

If we recover the non intubated patient, PACU orders of Dilaudid 0.2-1.0 q5mins. If we get them after PACU Dilaudid 0.2 q1hr and 2 norco's q4. Direct pts are my fav. Prop + fent