Test Your Medication Management Skills

Study Notes

Important Medication Management Considerations for Nurses

Nurses administering Beta-Adrenergic Blockers must check patients’ heart rate and blood pressure and hold medication if vital signs are low. Beta Blockers are contraindicated for Asthma Patients.
The effectiveness of diuretic therapy can be monitored by measuring changes in urine output and daily weights.
Digoxin serum levels must be monitored while a patient is taking the therapy as levels greater than 1.8 ng/dl can lead to toxicity. Signs of Digoxin Toxicity include nausea, anorexia, visual disturbances, fatigue, and vomiting.
ACE inhibitors are the first choice of therapy for Heart Failure, Hypertension, diabetic neuropathy, and post-MI to improve outcomes.
Hypokalemia can increase the likelihood of Digoxin toxicity, and potassium levels must be monitored and intervened upon if less than 3.5 for a patient taking Digoxin.
Administering Nitrates in conjunction with Viagra can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Digoxin's effectiveness can be measured by observing if a heart failure patient is able to perform ADL’s and walk better than without the medication.
Black Tarry stools are an abnormal finding for patients taking Coumadin and may indicate bleeding. Patients taking Coumadin should have PT and INR drawn to measure levels and adjust dose.
Transdermal Nitroglycerin can build tolerance, and the patch should be removed for at least 6-8 hours. Headache is a common side effect for patients using Nitrates.
Calcium channel blockers and grapefruit juice can lead to dangerous drug interactions.
Lasix can cause Hypokalemia, Hypotension, Hyperuricemia, Hyperglycemia, and Ototoxicity if the medication is IV pushed too fast.
Statins can cause muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness, indicating a type of myopathy known as rhabdomyolysis. Patients with diabetes and hypertension will likely be ordered Ace Inhibitors, which can lead to hyperkalemia.

Bonus:

B1 agonist drugs activate B1 receptors in the heart, indicating that the drug is working.
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, can be used to control supraventricular tachyarrhythmias and acts as a coronary vasodilator and antianginal agent. Hypotension is a major adverse effect, and blood pressure and pulse must be monitored before and during parenteral administration.
Nurses educating hypertensive patients should emphasize positive lifestyle changes such as restricting sodium intake, increasing activity, and eliminating tobacco products.

Description

Are you a nurse looking to improve your medication management skills? Test your knowledge with our quiz on important medication management considerations for nurses. From monitoring vital signs to understanding drug interactions, this quiz will cover key information on managing medications for various conditions such as heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes. Sharpen your skills and ensure patient safety with this informative quiz.