Simulation for appendicitis

[bookworm1]

As sort of a 'fun' project, our clinical instructor has assigned us to develop a medical scenario that we will act out in our simulation lab and our fellow students will be required to 'diagnose' the patient based upon patient hx, medication list, tx plan, labs, and assessment. My partner and i drew burst appendix. We have developed all of the important criteria EXCEPT for the medication list. I cannot find a list of potential medications and dosages that this patient will likely be on after the surgery. I am sure that there will be abx, but which one or ones? Also morphine, but what dosage? What really frustrates me is that I had a patient w this diagnosis last semester, but I can't remember the details of the medications. I do remember that he had Lovenox injections for DVT prevention because of the risk of clots d/t sepsis (his did result in sepsis). I doubt if she'll require the medication list to be exact, but I really want it to be as close to real as possible.

What I am looking for is help in developing the medication list including dosages to include in our 'medical file'. thanks!

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

i know that i have seen pts put on zosyn iv post appy quite often where i work.... i wish i could be of more help though as far as dosage.

[bookworm1]

You are right! I remember Zosyn, along with another abx. It was q8h in the small 100mL bag, right? That is a good start for my med list! Thanks.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

do a search for "appendicitis" on these two websites. you will get the doctor's treatment of this condition on both sites:

• family practice notebook (use search box and input a disease) http://www.fpnotebook.com/index.htm
  
• emedicine http://www.emedicine.com/ (you may have to register to view articles, but registration is free) - some articles will list specific medications and dosages to be given

also see https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/appy-195227.html#post1969425

[cursedandblessed]

I'm pretty sure I was on Vancomycin and percocet two, 10mg tablets q 4 hours, and heparin injections, post ruptured appendix, but I was septic, left mostly open with jackson-pratt, for the first 7 days. They closed me up on day 7 with a penrose. I went home on day 9. I refused the second percocet after day 1, (but I've never been able to take much pain medicine without the effect of knocking me out).

I remember them giving me a wrapped up pillow (they folded one in half and taped it together) to hold against my side when I coughed. Also, I couldn't lay flat I stayed in a semi-fowler's, and slept in the recliner for another month after I got home.

[cursedandblessed]

oh and they used a sterile wet saline packing/dressing on the open wound. (sorry I'm only 7 weeks into my nursing program so I might not be using all the technical words right.)