Nursing implementation

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Hi all,

First day of pharmacology today and I am already confused. We have been given an assignment to define what an anti pyretic, anti hypertensive, bronchodilator, anti emetic are and give an example of a drug for these specific conditions. Pretty straightforward, I can get that info from the drug handbook. But what do they mean by "what is a nursing implementation for the medication in question"?

Would appreciate any help. Thanks

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Are you sure its "implementation"? Or is it "intervention" or "implication"?

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm not even a student nurse, yet (1/17/08!!) so I'm sure that much better answers will come but here would be my take on it.

For the medications, what are the typical delivery routes and what factors would determine the decision? What are the potential side effects or complications and their signs and symptoms? What interventions would be appropriate for the various complications or side effects?

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

As an RN of 32 years, I can almost say with complete confidence that they mean "what is a nursing implication for the medication in question". Nursing implications will be the implied things you are expected to know to perform when administering that specific drug. This means you need to know what the drug is, why it is given and what the expected results should be in the patient. This will also include assessments you need to observe for after giving the drug, special considerations to take into account in the administration of the drug, any special things you need to teach the patient about the drug and it's action/side effects, and special handing of the drug you need to be aware of. My drug handbook specifically describes "nursing considerations" (implications) in the preface of the book as "identifies key nursing considerations for each step of the nursing process; assess, administer, perform/provide, evaluate, and teach patient/family. . ." (page ix, Mosby's 2007 Nursing Drug Reference, 20th edition, Mosby, Inc, 2007). These are implied responsibilities on our part as nurses. For example, when you know that a potential side effect of an antihypertensive is hypotension, then you must watch for this symptom--you should never have to be specifically told to do so.

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Are you sure its "implementation"? Or is it "intervention" or "implication"?

Definitely "implementation"

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Yes, it is implementation. Which are basically nursing interventions. I took pharm before nursing school so I learned in pharm that the "i" in ADPIE was implementation.

Then when I got into the NS program I learned that it is interventions. I have the fourth edition of Pharmacology and the Nursing Process by Lilley, Harrington and Snyder. "Implementation consists of initiation and completion of the nursing care plan as defined by the nursing diagnoses and outcome critera. When it comes to medication administration, the nurse also needs to know and understand all of the information about the patient and each medication prescribed."

In pharm class you must follow the implementations listed for you in your text. You will be tested on those. Say for example you mentioned anti HTN meds. Well there are a bunch of agents, each of them have different implementations. Beta-blockers have different nursing implementation from ACE inhibitors. I hope your pharm instructor will list some for you. Don't worry, you can do it. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Implementation falls under nursing implications and basically means "how it is given to the patient".

Implementation might equate with "adminsitration". An implementation would be "give orally on an empty stomach", "give orally with meals", "give IV diluted in a 20 cc of Normal Saline".

It also includes the dosing, i.e. once a day, twice a day, etc.

It might include measure to minimize side effects such as "do not mix with alcohol"

My pharm book lists "implementation" under "Summary of Nursing Implications" at the end of the chapters.

Good luck.

An example would be

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