Most Common IV Push Meds on Med-Surg

[nurseJ88]

Hi there.. I am an orientee on the med-surg floor. Just started.. What are the most commonly ordered IV push meds used on this floor for me to be well-knowledged off? .. consider dilution and compatibility, important things to remember.. I understand that I can look up a med in a drug book when necessary; however, it will really help me to start really knowing the most important ones. Thank you so much. Any IV med book that you recommend?

[FootballGirl]

Like people have already said, dilaudid, morphine, pepcid, solumedrol, reglan and zofran, ativan, and also lately I've seen bumex for the kidneys/dialysis patients! :)

[Hay Nars, RN]

diluadid

morphine

toradol

zofran

lasix

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

morphine is probably the top one, along with phenergan. I see ativan, hydralazine for high BP's, and toradol a lot too!

[Munch]

Lasix

Toradol

Dilaudid(like champagne on new years)

Morphine

Ativan

Reglan

Zofran

Decadron

[elthia]

morphine

dilaudid

toradol

zofran

phenergan dilute in 10-20 ml give via running IV and not in hand only

lopressor

cardizem

labetolol

digoxin

valium

zofran

protonix

lasix

haldol

inapsine

coumadin

reglan

solumedrol

solucortef

benadryl

valproic acid (10 minute push for migraine patients, sometimes use pump syringe)

Fentanyl

ativan

hydralazine

Always read your drug guide, I know some nurses who try to dilute valium, and it should not be diluted according to the drug guide I have. Their reasoning, "I dilute everything".

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

morphine, Dilaudid, Demerol (not as much anymore, but I know some docs like to prescribe it), Ativan, Haldol, Protonix, Lasix, Zofran, phenergan, Toradol, Solu-Medrol/Solu-Cortef. I would say the morphine/Zofran or phenergan combo are the most popular, though.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

Dilaudid(like champagne on new years)

PERFECT way to describe it!

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

coumadin

I did not know coumadin could be given IV.

[elthia]

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/009218s108lbl.pdf

COUMADIN® TABLETS (Warfarin Sodium Tablets, USP) Crystalline COUMADIN® FOR INJECTION (Warfarin Sodium for Injection, USP)

Anticoagulant

COUMADIN for Injection is supplied as a sterile, lyophilized powder, which, after reconstitution with 2.7 mL sterile Water for Injection, contains:Warfarin Sodium 2 mg/mL

Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic, Heptahydrate 4.98 mg/mL

Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, Monohydrate 0.194 mg/mL

Sodium Chloride 0.1 mg/mL

Mannitol 38.0 mg/mL

Sodium Hydroxide, as needed for pH adjustment to 8.1 to 8.3

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/558307_3

Intravenous Warfarin as an Alternative for Anticoagulation: Discussion

Intravenous warfarin dosages are the same as those required for oral anticoagulation. After reconstitution of the 5.4-mg vial with 2.7 ml of sterile water for injection, the 2-mg/ml solution is stable for 4 hours at room temperature.[6] As a result, each vial is single use only. Warfarin for injection is incompatible with many drugs, including heparin, and therefore drug compatibilities should be reviewed before it is administered through a patient's intravenous line. Warfarin for injection should be administered as a slow bolus over 1-2 minutes into a peripheral vein.[6] It is not to be given intramuscularly and is not approved for direct intravenous push.[6] However, clinical experience, including the experience with our patient, suggests that it can be administered as a direct intravenous push injection without complications.

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

Thanks for the info Elthia. Still surprised I've never heard of it, considering the amount of coumadin I give!

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

dilaudid, morphine, zofran, pepcid, benadryl, lopressor, hydralazine, lasix (rare), ativan (rare),

[amarilla, RN]

Echoing others -

dilaudid, morphine, zofran, reglan, famotidine, protonix, benedryl, lopressor, toradol.

(emphasis on lots and lots of dilaudid.)