new rn in the er & looking up meds

[lulu rn]

when you have a new rn in the er, and they need to give a new med... what do you suggest they look up?

everyday im giving new meds, most IVP, when i look them up i look mostly for push/drip rates and y site compatibility, but the possibilities of ALL the contraindications and ALL the side effects, its overwhelming and very time consuming. any suggestions?

[newstart08]

I just finished by first year as a new grad in a very busy ED. I had the same problem at first. We had a dedicated ED pharmacist who I used a lot as a resource. She directed me to a manual that was available, which was the IV guidlines book. It listed all IV meds, and included info such as whether or not it was to be diluted and if so with what. It also had push rates and/or admistration time frames if it was IVPB. It also had a very brief description of the major side effects. I used this book pretty much daily for awhile. I also used Micromedix alot, not sure if you have access to it or not. They have a great section where you can check compatability very easily. I used this site alot for that. I also made my self a little cheat sheet that I kept on my badge, that had the meds I gave most of all, and included the administration rate, and whether or not it should be diluted. One thing I learned right away was not to waste my time asking other nurses. I got a different answer from everybody. In the end I needed to know the right way, not just everybody elses idea of the right way, so I figured it out my self.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[traumamike]

I agree with newstart08, I am a trauma nurse and the best thing you can do is make the pharmacy your friend! What I tell my precepting nurses to the ED is create a cheat sheet or book to keep on them. I usually take them and introduce them to one of our ED pharmacist. Think of what can kill the pt. the contraindications, push/drip rates, what it can/can't be diluted, etc... Access your computer/library in the ED, if you can't find the info. you are looking for. The only thing I would say different is depending on your hospital, you can ask other nurses there, but only the ones that have some experience. It isn't gonna do you any good to ask someone who is in the same boat as you are in, or someone with 2 more weeks in the ED than you have... Good Luck!

[alex_hamilton18]

I agree with the above posts... maybe you could get a PDA (Ipod touch is a good choice due to itunes' ever growing repository of medical applications)

I am still a student, but I find looking up the Mechanism of Action really helps... if I have a good understanding of how the medication works... then side effects and contraindications are easier to anticipate.

Good luck and congratulations on becoming a new rn... and working in the ER! :)

[Medic09, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

A good nursing-specific drug guide is more to the point and provides practical information better than some of the other books. My personal favorite is Davis Drug Guide for Nurses. I've used it for years in my Palm device. Occasionally you may find a doc insisting on an order that doesn't seem appropriate in the nursing guide, but is indeed appropriate according to the physician's guides. Has happened to me once in the last two years. Whenever in doubt, the hospital pharmacist is your best friend.