Most common M/S meds

[RNDarling]

Hi there! I was just hired for my first RN position and it's on a med surg unit, starting in about a month. I have been out of school for over a year though and feel a bit rusty.

I thought a good place to start reviewing would be common medications I'd see on the unit. I know that med surg sees a lot of different dx and a lot of different meds, so just thought I'd get your opinions on what you see most and what you recommend reviewing. If you have any other suggestions on books to read or topics to review though please let me know.

I really appreciate your help!

[Double Dunker]

I'd encourage you to review the maintenance drugs people take at home - beta blockers, antidepressants, inhalers, and insulin are what I see the most commonly.

[RNDarling]

Thank you so much, that's so helpful!!

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Review all the classes of antibiotics and their side effects and adverse effects. Know the reversal agents for narcotics and benzos. Review all the electrolyte replacements,especially potassium and all types of IV fluids.

[BundokSaint]

Most common drugs on my floor are dilaudid, dilaudid, and...um...oh yeah, dilaudid.

[RNDarling]

Of course! How could I forget dilaudid í ½í¸€?

[Simonesays, BSN, RN]

Yay!! Congrats on your new position :) Another approach to preparing for your job is to start with your most common diagnosis (i.e. etoh withdrawal, chf, pneumonia, sepsis, dka, pancreatitis), the most common comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, afib, chf, copd, dementia, chronic pain) and then go from there. Go from the big picture to the small details. Once you understand the patho of these diagnosis, then focus on common medications and treatments for each diagnosis/comorbidity. You will probably remember the details better. Your surgical patients will generally need pain control, anti-emetics, dvt prophylaxis, and antibiotics.

Does your new unit have an educator? I would email them too. It shows you are eager to learn and thinking about your learning goals/needs.

If you really want a few specific meds, though: insulin (humulin r), hydromorphone, ondansetron, dimenhydrinate, lactulose, pip taz, vancomycin, cefazolin, salbutamol, ipratropium, heparin, dalteparin, diphenhydramine, metoprolol, ramipril... You could also review rescue medications (i.e. naloxone, d50, etc). For what it's worth, I'm in Canada, though. Hope this helps a bit!

[Gampopa]

Most common drug…Miralax of course!

[RNDarling]

Yay!! Congrats on your new position :) Another approach to preparing for your job is to start with your most common diagnosis (i.e. etoh withdrawal, chf, pneumonia, sepsis, dka, pancreatitis), the most common comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, afib, chf, copd, dementia, chronic pain) and then go from there. Go from the big picture to the small details. Once you understand the patho of these diagnosis, then focus on common medications and treatments for each diagnosis/comorbidity. You will probably remember the details better. Your surgical patients will generally need pain control, anti-emetics, dvt prophylaxis, and antibiotics.

Does your new unit have an educator? I would email them too. It shows you are eager to learn and thinking about your learning goals/needs.

If you really want a few specific meds, though: insulin (humulin r), hydromorphone, ondansetron, dimenhydrinate, lactulose, pip taz, vancomycin, cefazolin, salbutamol, ipratropium, heparin, dalteparin, diphenhydramine, metoprolol, ramipril... You could also review rescue medications (i.e. naloxone, d50, etc). For what it's worth, I'm in Canada, though. Hope this helps a bit!

Thank you so much, this advice is extremely helpful! There is an educator who is in vacation until next week, but we have a meeting scheduled just prior to my start date. I will definitely ask her for suggestions as well. I'm trying to refresh as much as possible and your suggestions to focus on the diagnosis first is certainly a smarter way to organize the information.

[Scarlettz, BSN, RN]

You will find a wide range of medications given on a med-surg floor, but here are some I come across a lot:

PRNs

Ambien

Zofran

Phenergan

Xanax

Toradol

Hydrocodone

Benadryl

Others:

Solu-medrol

Metoprolol

Lisinopril

Clonidine

Lasix

Protonix

Levothyroxine

Gabapentin

Flexeril

Heparin

Lovenox

Antibiotics:

Rocephin

Pipercillin

Vancomycin

Levaquin

Others:

Solu-Medrol

I work night shifts so we have to give the early AM meds. One coworker joked that it was insulin & protonix time. So true. The only thing I would add to that is insulin, protonix, and levothyroxine time, lol.