Nursing Fundamentals: Medication and Patient Care

Medication Administration

• Medications can be administered by mouth, nose, or stomach.
• Medications should be stored in a refrigerator and can melt if not refrigerated.
• Before irrigating, use pain medication.
• Medications can be administered through an IV.

Patient Care

• Ensure hydration for patients, especially those with dehydration.
• Monitor and track fluid intake and urine output.
• Watch for signs of infection.
• Monitor for pain, especially in the legs and calves.
• Ensure patients have adequate mobility and assistive devices for safe movement.
• Understand and address potential complications related to wound care (e.g., infection, leakage)
• Watch for signs of compromised circulation (e.g., numbness, tingling, changes in skin color).
• Address potential causes of pain and investigate whether it relates to medication changes.

Respiratory System

• Understand the role of the respiratory system in gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
• Analyze the mechanics of breathing: inhalation, exhalation, and the role of muscles in breathing.
• Identify factors that can affect lung function (e.g., asthma, choking, pulmonary edema, broken ribs, lung capacity).
• Understand the role of surfactant in maintaining lung surface tension.
• Recognize signs of respiratory distress (e.g., shortness of breath, wheezing, nasal flaring, use of accessory muscles).

Cardiovascular System

• Understand the function of the heart and circulatory system (blood transport, oxygenation)
• Identify components of the heart and their functions (e.g., atria, ventricles, valves, coronary arteries).
• Analyze key terms related to cardiac function (e.g., heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, ejection fraction, blood pressure).
• Analyze cardiac disorders (e.g., heart murmurs, coronary artery disease, heart attack).

Blood and Hemoglobin

• Understand the role of hemoglobin in oxygen transport.
• Understand the effects of hemoglobin levels on oxygenation.
• Identify factors that can affect hemoglobin levels, including altitude, disease, and medications.

Oxygenation and Respiratory Issues

• Recognize signs of poor oxygenation (e.g., fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion).
• Understand the physiological response to low oxygen (e.g., increased heart rate, sweating, blue discoloration of skin).
• Identify potential causes of poor oxygenation (e.g., anemia, altitude, respiratory diseases).
• Relate respiratory conditions to potential causes of oxygen deprivation.

Medications and their Effects

• Identify common reasons for medication administration.
• Understand common side effects of medications.
• Distinguish between medications with similar appearances.
• Understand the importance of proper medication storage and administration.

Nursing Considerations

• Assess patient needs and ability to administer medications.
• Ensure patient communication and understanding of medication regimens.
• Monitor for medication effectiveness and any potential side effects.
• Promote safe medication administration and support patient education on medication use.
• Understand the importance of careful documentation and record-keeping.
• Ensure patient safety during all phases of medication administration.

Gastrointestinal System

• Understand the function of the gut and its role in digestion.
• Identify issues that affect normal gut function (e.g., constipation, diarrhea, nausea, aspiration, etc.)
• Relate potential medication effects to bowel function.
• Recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of compromised bowel function.

Test your knowledge on essential nursing practices including medication administration, patient care management, and understanding of the respiratory system. This quiz covers best practices for hydration, monitoring vital signs, and effective medication storage. Delve into the intricacies of providing quality care for your patients.