Meds: Generic VS Trade Names
Zofran
Ondansetron
What is the normal range for WBC?
4-11
Name the 7 rights of med admin
Right patient, drug, dose, route, time/frequency, reason, and documentation
What drug class treats HTN, HF, and/or Afib?
Beta blockers ("-olols")
You enter a patient's room and find their O2 sat dropped to 88%. What would you do? Name 3 actions.
- Raise HOB
- Encourage DB+C exercises
- Continue to monitor O2 Sat
- If no improvement/SOB: apply O2 via NP, conduct focused Resp assessment, get help, stay with patient
Lasix
Furosemide
What is the normal range for serum potassium
3.5-5.0
How do you assess a PIV?
- Assess if dressing is D+I
- Assess for redness, swelling, warmth/coolness, drainage/leakage, pain/discomfort
- Check patency (flush)
What class lowers cholesterol?
"-statins"
You find a postop patient's dressing is saturated with sanguineous drainage. Name 3 actions.
- Apply pressure to the site
- Notify primary nurse/Dr
- Monitor VS closely
- Anticipate stat/urgent orders
Dilaudid
What blood work indicates myocardial infarction?
Elevated troponin (with chest pain)
Name the common sites for SC injections
- Later/posterior parts of the upper arms
- Abdomen
- Lateral/anterior parts of the upper thighs
What drug class of antihypertensives may cause a persistent dry cough as a side effect?
ACE inhibitors ("-prils")
You receive shift report on a patient with new onset of confusion, a temp of 39, and a WBC of 23. What nursing actions should you take? Name at least 3.
- Anticipate the possibility of infection or sepsis
- Perform a comprehensive H2T assessment
- Consider the sources of infection and obtain swabs/cultures (wound, blood, urine, etc.)
- SBAR to the Dr
- Anticipate orders: BW/diagnostics, IV fluids, Antibiotics
Ativan
Lorazepam
What type of BW should be ordered for a patient on anticoagulant therapy, such as warfarin and heparin?
Coagulation studies: PT, INR, PTT
Name at least 4 aseptic principles for dressing changes
- Hand hygiene
- Only sterile items in the sterile field
- 1" border
- Clean wound from cleanest to dirtiest
- Avoid reaching over or turning away from the sterile field
- Hands above waist
What drug class includes clopidogrel and what is the main nursing consideration?
Antiplatelets. Main consideration: bleeding risk (hold before surgery or invasive procedures)
You check a diabetic patient's blood glucose before lunch and it reads 2.9. What do you do? Name 4 actions.
- Hold insulin/diabetic meds
- Assess for s/s of hypoglycemia and ability to swallow (if no s/s, recheck blood glucose)
- Initiate the hypoglycemia protocol
- Provide fast-acting carbs (Dex tabs, juice, etc.)
- Reassess blood glucose 15 mins later
- Notify Dr/primary nurse
Ventolin
Salbumatol
What is part of the Chemistry 7 panel?
Na+, K+, Cl-, BUN, Creat, eGFR, Random Glucose
Name at least 3 common indications for NG tubes
- gastric decompression (bowel obstruction, paralytic ileus)
- tube feeds
- remove gastric contents (GI bleeds, excessive vomiting)
- bowel rest (post-abdominal surgeries where GI motility is compromised)
Spironolactone is a part of this drug class and what is the main concern with these meds?
Potassium-sparing diuretics. Can lead to hyperkalemia.
A patient falls nearby. What do you do? Name 5 actions.
- Ensure safety: assist patient to the floor, protect head/neck/spine
- Initial assessment: check ABCs, LOC, bleeding, head injury (if unwitnessed)
- Stabilize & assist: get help! if safe, assist back to bed, do VS, monitor for changes
- Notify primary nurse/Dr: anticipate stat orders, initiation of Falls protocol
- Document: details about the fall, assessment findings, interventions, etc.
- Investigate cause & contributing factors: environmental hazards, patient's mobility, meds, footwear, etc.
- Apply falls precautions & update falls risk