New FNP here. f/u's and quantity of pills

Published

New FNP here. Anyone have any good resources/suggestions for how to determine the quantity of a prescription (other than antibiotics), frequency of refills, & good time frames for follow ups. Epocrates doesn't have much info on these topics. UpToDate is too lengthy for a quick reference and may not have this info. Ugh, I hate being new and not just knowing these things...

ie: how long should I prescribe Tessalon Pearls for bronchitis.

Thanks!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

How long would you expect the symptoms of bronchitis to last?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Tessalon perked should be RX'd no more than 5-7 to 10 days max

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for replying! Both your responses highlight my dilemma. Bronchitis can last up for 3 weeks and yet TraumaRus states not to give for more than 10 days. TraumaRus I'm curious what your reference/reasoning is for that? I look at Epocrates and it doesn't explicitly state there should be a max dose for the duration of the prescription. I understand I can logically think through this simple situation, but feel like it's a free for all when I don't have info giving me more guidance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

At the end of 10 days, the cough should be subsiding and the frequency of side effects rise.

I would not use cough suppressants for three weeks in any pt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion