Most common medication drips in ICU

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I wanted to ask what the most common medication drips are used in critical care and are only done in the unit. I have seen nitro, insulin, Integrilin, propofol (Diprivan), and Heparin. I will be starting my critical care rotation program in June, and would like to familiarize myself with them. Thank you in advance.

:nurse:

Specializes in CTICU.

Bojar: Manual of perioperative care in cardiac surgery.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

ALSO....lots and lots of Potassium and Magnesium.

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Specializes in SICU, Peds CVICU.

I agree with everyone else, and would also recommend getting a pocket sized notebook to take notes on. It's sooo handy to have a notebook in your pocket that tells you how long to run 30 mmols KPhos over, or what specific receptors Epi acts on. You probably won't be able to remember it all once you're there and running around. It's also helpful to have somewhere to write down unit-specific policies/procedures (not the whole P&P manual of course, just things you use daily) to help you get started out. Also, some facilites have different standards for gtts, for example, we only use Levo in mcg/kg/min, but many places use mcg/min. Knowing how to calculate mcg/kg/min quickly is important too!

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Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

I just wanted to mention that as a new ICU nurse myself, that I absolutely think you're doing a GREAT thing by learning the drips BEFORE you go into ICU rather than waiting until you already start. It'll help you a lot, and experienced nurses appreciate the efforts you put in to succeed. :)

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Specializes in OR, peds, PALS, ICU, camp, school.
nurseabc123 said:
yesterday, my patient was on propofol, levo, epi, vaso, primacor, dobut, amio, lido, and insulin. that's a good start.

Sick, sick, sick... sounds fun! I miss those patients where I work now!

Good to know these drugs in advance. Often there is NO time to run for a drug book before you start them... that tanking pt needed them yesterday! I second keeping a pocket notebook with the most pertinent facts- what they're for, cautions, titration ranges, concentration mix, Notes you've heard during rounds of why certain groups like one over another.

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Reviving this old thread. Thanks for all the input, I just had an interview with them today and it went well. All the above is mostly accurate :)

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