Pain meds & VS

[solneeshka, BSN, RN]

For which pain meds do you check VS first? I know for any cardiac meds to check, and for any opioids, but other than that sometimes I wonder if I'm not checking them when I should be or if I am checking them when I don't need to. It seems like I'm checking VS *all* *the* *time*! I don't see other nurses doing it so much, which I know could just be their practice and is not necessarily something to emulate. What do you all do? What are the broad categories of meds, or specific meds, that you always check VS for?

[brownbook]

Looking at a patient, using just your eyes and ears, should give you a basic clue whether or not they are stable without re-taking vital signs. If the patient is sitting up and talking, any medical personnal hates to assume, but I feel safe assuming the patient is medically stable and give whatever pain med they have ordered without re-taking vital signs. If it is easy to look at the latest vital signs that is fine but in most cases not necessary.

[MissIt]

I think it depends on the patient and the med. Has the patient had it before; did they have any trouble. How recently were vitals done, have they been stable during the admission. Pain can make your vitals off anyway. If it's something that you expect will drop their pressure dramatically, for example, do the VS to be safe.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

If I'm giving a narcotic IVP, I'm checking b/p first. I would relax that practice after several doses with no drop in pressure.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Why does a moderator have to approve posting? Does anyone know? Sometimes I post and it appears immediately on the screen. Sometimes, like tonight, an alert shows up and says a moderator must approve it. Sorry to get off the topic, but just wondering. My paranoia is showing.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Why does a moderator have to approve posting? Does anyone know? Sometimes I post and it appears immediately on the screen. Sometimes, like tonight, an alert shows up and says a moderator must approve it. Sorry to get off the topic, but just wondering. My paranoia is showing.

Guess you missed the header of this forum:

Purpose: Promoting medication safety, medication alerts and understanding uses of new/old medications. (This forum is a moderated forum, all post will be approved by staff prior to being posted.)

We have several moderated forums that have high potential for spamming, abuse or need to move off topic posts-keeps out drug comany ads too. We're all volunteers here--sometimes were busy with real life, work, or tons of bb back roomwork.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Thank you. I'm really bad about the details. I should have looked closer.

[MissJulie]

Opiates (ie pain meds) are CNS depressants, therefore checking respirations is vital (I always check pulse, too). Also, we've been taught to assess bowel sounds because opiates can cause constipation.