aronii07

I'm in the same boat as you, just got off orientation in MICU in September. I love taking advantage of learning from all the patients in the unit, not just my own. Anytime I offer to help with a reposition for another patient I always ask questions of anything I'm unfamilliar with in the room. Goodluck to you!

We've tried using Precedex when we're short on propofol, but the docotors don't realize that Precedex is an adjunct to propofol/other sedation methods, it cannot just be started on its own. The drug company specifically draws out the appropriate way to add Precedex for sedation and wean off propofol, but I have yet to see it ordered that way. I've also had issues with using midazolam drips it seems you still need to add additional fentanyl to better comfort the patient.

You could try reviewing a pharmacy technician's drug guide. It will contain most common medication names while breaking them down by classifications and common endings (such as -icillin or -olol) and list most pertinent side effects and interactions (such as Coumadin, no aspirin and increasing chance of bleeding), all in which won't be nearly as difficult as a pharmacist's review, and shouldn't be overloaded with excess information you don't need to know. Hopefully this helps as a quick review and maybe introduce some easier ways to remember medications.