Indication
(What's It For?)
(What's It For?)
This antibiotic is commonly prescribed for strep throat.
Penicillin (or amoxicillin).
Beta-blockers are contraindicated in patients with this chronic respiratory condition.
Asthma/COPD.
When giving eye drops, nurses should instruct patients to do this after instillation to reduce systemic absorption.
Apply pressure to nasolacrimal duct (punctal occlusion).
When a woman taking oral contraceptives is prescribed an antibiotic, this is the priority teaching point.
Use another form of contraception.
This topical antifungal cream is commonly used for athlete’s foot.
Clotrimazole.
Statins are prescribed to treat this condition.
Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).
A common side effect of furosemide that nurses monitor closely with labs.
Hypokalemia.
A patient on heparin therapy requires monitoring of this lab value.
aPTT.
Patients on warfarin should avoid sudden changes in intake of this vitamin.
Vitamin K (green leafy vegetables).
A patient using otic drops should be positioned with the affected ear facing this direction.
Upward (so medication stays in ear).
Nitroglycerin is used to relieve pain from this condition.
Angina.
This diabetes medication can cause lactic acidosis, especially with kidney disease.
Metformin.
Before giving digoxin, the nurse must check this vital sign.
Apical pulse (hold if <60bpm).
Patients on diuretics should be taught to report this symptom that could indicate dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.
Muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness.
This type of insulin is given at mealtimes.
Lispro or Aspart.
Warfarin is prescribed to prevent these from forming.
Blood clots (thromboembolism).
This class of antihypertensive drugs is notorious for causing a persistent, dry cough.
ACE inhibitors.
When giving antibiotics, the nurse must always check this first.
Allergies (especially penicillin).
When teaching about insulin injection sites, patients should be reminded to do this to prevent lipodystrophy.
Rotate injection sites.
Grapefruit juice can dangerously interact with this class of cholesterol-lowering medications.
Statins.
ACE inhibitors like lisinopril are used in patients with these two common cardiovascular conditions.
Hypertension & heart failure.
This serious adverse effect is most closely associated with aminoglycosides such as gentamicin.
Ototoxicity (also nephrotoxicity).
This electrolyte must be monitored closely in patients on potassium-sparing diuretics.
Potassium (hyperkalemia risk).
Patients on beta-blockers should be warned not to stop suddenly because of the risk of this complication.
Rebound tachycardia/angina/MI.
The normal therapeutic level for digoxin is this range (for atrial fibrillation).
0.8–1.5 ng/mL