Most common meds in LTC??

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hi everyone,

I am a new grad and have an interview tomorrow for an RN position at a LTC facility. From reading some of these posts I am a little nervous, but trying to prepare myself as best as possible. I was wondering if any experienced LTC RNs (or LPNs) could tell me some of the most common meds that you see/pass out?

Thank you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

beta blockers, stool softeners, steriods (both po and inhaled), bronchodilators, sleeping pills, pain pills, antacids, the list goes on and on.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cardiac, oncology.

I don't work LTC, but let me take a guess:

Lasix, Dig, Diltiliziem, Metoprolol, Amolodipine, glucophage, glyburide, insulin, MOM, Vicodin, Colace, Miralax, Synthroid, just to name a few.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

Ativan, Xanax, Seroquel, Lortab, Gabapentin, Aricept, Lopressor, Lasix, Coumadin, Plavix, Geodon, Phenobarb, Keppra, Klor-Con, Buspar, Simavastatin, Oyster Shell, Lithium, Vitamin C, Lyrica, Omeprazole, Zantac, Nexium - and of course stool softeners and Tylenol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

Yeah I know there are a TON and I will be looking up a lot of drugs that I know elderly people take, I just wondered if there was a list of the most common ones you definitely see. Considering how many drugs are out there, it may be a false hope ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Lots of Antibiotic. Cipro, Keflex, Vancomycin, Batrim DS, Avelox, Macroid, theres one more but cant think of name right now.

When you are interviewing make sure you ask how long your orientation is going to be. Most LTC's give only 3 days of orientation and i've seen many new grads quit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

Thanks Ms. RN ... I've been reading that same thing and definitely wrote that down on my list of questions to ask. It's really intimidating because I think people don't realize how much work RNs do at LTC versus acute care... I'm nervous but I just hope I can interview well and land the job. It's so competitive right now and so hard especially for new grads :/

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
Most LTC's give only 3 days of orientation

Really?? How sad is that?!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

Also remember it's about how they take their meds in LTC. Who has theirs crushed, can you crush all of them, what pudding or ice-cream do they want to swallow their crushed meds, can you put all the meds in the G-tube, how long does it take to watch Mrs. Jones swallow 28 pills one at a time (don't laugh, I had a lady who had 17 pills and took them that way) etc...

Hopefully they've done away with the metemucil and gone to generic mirilax, colace 100 mg is very popular but squeezing the red juice from the gel pill is time comsuming and research shows that colace is not effective long term. There will be nebulizer treatments, eye drops, and if you're going to hone up on something review sliding scales. I guarentee that all diabetics will have one.

Where I live there must be a current nurse drug reference on each cart. If you have a smart phone donwload an app with a drug reference on it. There are many good ones for free.

Lots of antidepressants, BP meds, osteo meds, hormone replacements, insulins, coritcosteroids, cox3, ibuprofen and tylenol, vitamins, benzos. Ya know it really depends on what shift you will be working as well but trying to study for a few ... what will happen is that what you study will not be there; it's the law of Murphy. Best to wait and see what you really got. But like I said sliding scales and understanding diabetics medicaiton whether they're DM-I or DM-II is critical along with making sure snacks are given to these people etc...

3 days is insane; same thing happened to me. If I were you I would spend my reamaining time relaxing, there will be plenty of time to look up meds when you're at work. Cyber hugs and good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

synthroid, calcium, prilosec, metoprolol, amlodipine, 81mg asa, colace, norco, fentanyl patches, acetaminophen, lisinopril, simvastatin, sinemet, metformin, amaryl, senna, miralax, namenda, aricept, MOM, dulcolax suppositories, albuterol, ipratropium, spiriva, advair, lasix, klor con, detrol la, flomax, oxybutynin, iron, multivit, levaquin, bactrim ds, keflex, acidophilus, keppra, bumex.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

Tyvin, thanks for the info! My interview was this morning and I think it went well. I should hear back next week about a second interview. You're right, it was best to just forget about the drugs for now. The time will come!

BTW, "cyber hugs" = soooo cute!!! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Aerosol Xanax.. oh wait that was in my dream. Nevermind lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion