Prevacid (lansoprazole) indications

[heallis]

Hi, I am a student working on a care plan. My instructor was VERY specific that we must know why our patient is prescribed certain drugs not to just write down the indications in general but what is the specific reason they are taking it). I have a pediatric oncology patient who was admitted for febrile neutropenia who is taking prevacid. However there is no documentation indicating that this patient suffers from ulcers. The patient is on multiple anti-infectives including anti protozoals, cephalosporins, etc. but none of his medications list ulcers or heartburn as an adverse effect. I know prevacid is specified to help with H. pylori-associated ulcers, but it doesn't seem to actually kill the bacteria, just help with symptoms. Why would a patient like this be on prevacid?

[kaylee.]

Acid reflux? I cant speak to this type of patient...but

If you don't know "why" the patient takes it, you can either: a) ask the nurse or doc why they are taking it? b) google and find a likely indication for a child, (kids have acid reflux too) or c) leave it out of the care plan. It always seems like they are trying to "get" you with something, but the teacher won't be digging into the pt chart either. So they won't know...unless there is some indication for the drug relating to the diagnosis, in which case there should be something in a drug book about it, then simplify the case...

Alot of adult patients get prescribed protonix in the hosp as a prophylactic...are any other kids also getting prevacid? If so maybe its prophylaxis...

Basically if you have another shift ask about the prevacid. But in the end care plans are not going to be perfect.