Newbie LPN

need some help with meds

1. what meds are common for med- surg, u can give me a whole list it's o.k

2. ANY good websites for meds etc...

3.any tips, advice for giving meds

4.any tips for being a newbie.

Antihypertensive medications, diabetic meds, heparin, digoxin, prevacid, nexxium (the purple pill), antibiotics, such as Unisyn, Rocephin, vancomycin, penicillin, amoxicillin; potassium, nebulizer treatments such as albuterol, corticosteriods (Solumedrol) for med-surg (I was only in med-surg for 6 weeks, so that is some of what I remember).

Don't have web sites off hand, sorry about that one.

Any tips...clarify any order that you are not sure about. They have really tiny medication books that you can get from a book store to carry in your pocket...that is necessary, because I am a firm believer that you should not pass a medication that you are not familiar with. One is called "Nurse's Pocket Guide" and it usually sells for about $12 from Barnes and Noble or you can order it from Amazon.com. At times, MANY times, for that matter, you may only get the name of the medication and the primary reason for administration, and that may be it because they are so many meds to pass and patients to serve. Also, know the routes of administration you are NOT allowed to do as an LPN. For example, don't let anyone tell you that you can push Lasix (someone tried to convince me that I can and I looked at them as though they were insane). Take the blood pressure before giving antihypertensive meds YOURSELF...do not count on the aide's reading...which is easy to do when it is busy.

I am still relatively new myself, just getting my license in June, 2006, so, all I can tell you there is to keenly observe your atmosphere and follow your gut when it comes to interacting with your co-workers. And, if you are not sure, do nothing until you get an answer from a reliable source.

To give the med,

1. check the orginal order with Kardex

2. wash your hand

3. calculate the drug properly, if you want to use the drug book it is very good.

4. Use the proper way to draw the drug.

5. check the patient ID band and if the ID band is not there make sure with other RN Nurse.

6. use the proper rout, which is written in the order.

7. IV push, make sure the time, how long you have to push the drugs.

8. wash your hand after.

Good luck

when you have a question, just stop and ask.

do not pretend that you know.

as a newbie, show your co-worker that you are a team-player. never ever put yourself in the center. if you are going to work in the nursing home, treat your cna's nicely...always respectful when it comes to cna's.