Which Med to give first?

[2126]

I've seen this question come up several times and I have no idea how to approach it. The question will ask which medication to give first followed by 4 meds. Is there a general way to break it down? Should you give the one that will be running on the IV pump the longest so you don't get behind on all the others?

[TinFL]

Well it depends on the question and what the client is being hospitalized first. For example:

A client is admitted for chest pain, what medication would be a priority:

(First thought should be SAVE the heart: decrease oxygen demand)

Morphine

Oxygen

Digoxin

Nitroglycern

Always morphine first.

or

A 9 year client was admitted for sickle cell crisis, two hours ago. Prioritize the medications:

(First thought should pain management)

(3)Penicillin

(4)Oxygen

(1)Morphine

(2)IV Fluids

I hope this helps.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Or if you have 4 clients:

1. pt on antibiotics (Ancef Q8H, due now)

2. pt with myasthenia gravis complaining of muscle weakness/difficulty breathing (Prostigmine)

3. pt complaining of pain 7/10 scale and has PRN morphine ordered

4. pt complaining of nausea and has PRN phenergan ordered

you would go with the Prostigmine, because that is your "respiratory" drug (patients with myasthenia gravis die from respiratory complications).

[Giveheart]

Well it depends on the question and what the client is being hospitalized first. For example:

A client is admitted for chest pain, what medication would be a priority:

(First thought should be SAVE the heart: decrease oxygen demand)

Morphine

Oxygen

Digoxin

Nitroglycern

Always morphine first.

or

A 9 year client was admitted for sickle cell crisis, two hours ago. Prioritize the medications:

(First thought should pain management)

(3)Penicillin

(4)Oxygen

(1)Morphine

(2)IV Fluids

I hope this helps.

In my Saunders book it says:

1. IV fluids.

2. Oxygen.

3. Morphine.

4. Penicillin.

Looks like there were previous problems with this question:

https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/sickle-cell-crisis-410226.html

[2126]

You need to fix the problem and pain is psychological in nclex land.