Drug Monitoring and Safety
Before administering this class of medications, a nurse should assess the patient’s respiratory rate, pain level, and sedation level.
opioid analgesics
Taking this with iron supplements can interfere with the absorption of the iron
calcium
This critical care drug is administered to patients with severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to reverse symptoms such as swelling and difficulty breathing.
epinephrine
This nutrient plays a vital role in helping the body absorb calcium and maintain bone health.
vitamin D
Peptic ulcer disease or kidney disease are contraindications for this class of pain-relieving drugs.
NSAIDs
This drug is used to treat acetaminophen overdose.
N-acetylcysteine
A common side effect of iron supplements, this condition can cause discomfort and may require treatment.
constipation
This medication is used in critical care settings to relieve acute chest pain or manage hypertension in emergencies.
nitroglycerin
This vitamin is essential to prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy.
folic acid
Patients taking tetracycline antibiotics should avoid consuming these foods or beverages.
dairy products or calcium-containing foods
This mineral should be taken with caution in patients with chronic kidney disease due to its potential to build up in the blood.
potassium
Doxycycline and other antibiotics that cause this side effect require patients to avoid excessive sun exposure and use sunscreen
photosensitivity
To increase blood pressure and cardiac output in cases of severe hypotension and shock, this drug is administered in critical care.
norepinephrine
This is the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen for an adult to avoid overdose.
4,000 mg/day
This adaptation to opioids causes a need for higher doses to achieve the same effect.
tolerance
This type of blood test is commonly used to monitor the therapeutic levels of drugs like phenytoin and warfarin.
a serum drug level or INR (International Normalized Ratio)
Broad-spectrum antibiotics like amoxicillin can cause this common side effect, which may require additional treatment.
diarrhea or secondary infections like C. difficile
In cases of shock or heart failure, this medication helps by improving blood flow and increasing cardiac output.
dopamine
It is crucial to complete this prescribed treatment in full to prevent antibiotic resistance and ensure that the infection is fully treated.
a course of antibiotics
This is the primary reason NSAIDs like ibuprofen should be taken with food.
to reduce the risk of gastric irritation or ulcers
This class of antibiotics, such as gentamicin, should be monitored closely due to risks of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
aminoglycosides
This class of drugs, commonly used for depression and anxiety, is known to interact with grapefruit juice, leading to dangerous levels of the medication in the bloodstream.
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
This medication is used in critical care to treat hypertensive emergencies by lowering blood pressure.
labetalol
This infection prevention measure is recommended before starting a chemotherapy regimen to ensure patient safety.
a tuberculosis (TB) test or screening for latent infections
This antihypertensive drug is contraindicated in pregnancy due to its potential to cause birth defects.
an ACE inhibitor (e.g., enalapril)