Acceptable Abbreviations
Milligram is abbreviated as..
mg
The mnemonic 'A PINCH' refers to low or high risk medications? What does the 'C' stand for?
High risk medications
C refers to chemotherapy
pharmacology
'the study of medication(s) and its effects on organisms'
T/F: It is the nurse's responsibility to understand why a medication is prescribed to the patient.
True: Nurses need to know the reason for the medication and its intended effect.
The _________ ensures safety of medications and can remove them if warranted.
FDA/Food and Drug Administration
Sublingual is abbreviated as..
SL
'A' stands for..
Anti-infectives (often antibiotics)
therapeutic vs. pharmacologic names
therapeutic: 'reason for drug,' what condition is it intended to treat?
pharmacologic: refers to how the drug works
Example: Aspirin is a salicylate (pharmacologic) and a antipyretic (therapeutic.)
True or False: Although nurses cannot prescribe medications, they must be able to read and understand an HCP order.
True; Nurses must review and understand HCP orders, it is our responsibility to ensure the order is accurate and safe for the patient prior to administration.
Name two health care professionals authorized to prescribe.
MD, NP, DMD (dentist)
Gram can be abbreviated as..
G or gm
'I' stands for...
Insulin, different forms (long or short acting) work very differently
teratogenic
harmful to fetal development
Nurses must be aware of special considerations in regards to medication administration. What are some examples of such considerations?
Ex: whether the medication must be taken with food, patient's allergies, possible interactions
Name three routes medication may be administered.
What do the abbreviations po and NPO stand for?
po: by mouth
NPO: nothing by mouth
'N' stands for.... What is one measure to ensure safety with these medications.
'N' stands for narcotics and other controlled substances
Safety measures include: 'double-locking,' counting at regular intervals, having a witness when disposing
bio-availability
'the amount of drug that is needed to reach desired effect'
Nurses are legally responsible for every drug administered. We need to be aware of facility policies and _______ ___ _______.
scope of practice
Describe the difference between prescription and OTC medications.
Prescription medications require a HCP order/authorization, while OTC medications can be purchased without HCP involvement.
Abbreviate the following:
intramuscular
intradermal
IM
ID
'P' stands for
P stands for potassium and other electrolytes (often given by IV)
Brand name vs. Generic Name
Brand name: exclusive to company that creates drug
Generic Name: name that can be used by multiple companies
example: Ativan (brand) lorazepam (generic)
What are some reference sources to obtain more information about a medication?
-pharmacist
-drug/nursing textbooks
-facility resources
-Internet (reputable sites only*)
There are six main sources of medications: plants, minerals, synthetics, toxins (ex: snake venom), animals and _________.
What is the main source of medication?
biologics (often used to treat autoimmune disorders)
-Most medications are made synthetically (in a lab), as it is cheaper.