Nursing Tips

Pharmacology (104)

Administering misoprostol

Administering misoprostol

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When administering a misoprostol (for prevention of gastric ulcers) to a person of child-bearing age, be sure to run a PREGNANCY test first as this medication can cause a miscarriage!

Administering misoprostol

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When administering a misoprostol (for prevention of gastric ulcers) to a person of child-bearing age, be sure to run a PREGNANCY test first as this medication can cause a miscarriage!

Know your antidotes for anticoagulants

Know your antidotes for anticoagulants

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Know your antidotes for anticoagulants: Vitamin K for warfarin, Protamine for Heparin.

Know your antidotes for anticoagulants

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Know your antidotes for anticoagulants: Vitamin K for warfarin, Protamine for Heparin.

Therapeutic INR for patients receiving warfarin

Therapeutic INR for patients receiving warfarin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Therapeutic INR is 2-3 for patients receiving warfarin.

Therapeutic INR for patients receiving warfarin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Therapeutic INR is 2-3 for patients receiving warfarin.

Therapeutic aPTT for patients receiving Heparin

Therapeutic aPTT for patients receiving Heparin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Therapeutic aPTT is 1.5-2 times baseline (baseline = 30-40 sec) for patients receiving Heparin.

Therapeutic aPTT for patients receiving Heparin

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Therapeutic aPTT is 1.5-2 times baseline (baseline = 30-40 sec) for patients receiving Heparin.

Meds that Promote Alcohol Abstinence

Meds that Promote Alcohol Abstinence

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Meds that promote alcohol abstinence: disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate. These meds are NOT used during alcohol withdrawal!

Meds that Promote Alcohol Abstinence

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Meds that promote alcohol abstinence: disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate. These meds are NOT used during alcohol withdrawal!

Lithium Side Effects vs. Toxicity

Lithium Side Effects vs. Toxicity

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Lithium: fine hand tremors are an EXPECTED side effect, coarse hand tremors indicate TOXICITY.

Lithium Side Effects vs. Toxicity

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

Lithium: fine hand tremors are an EXPECTED side effect, coarse hand tremors indicate TOXICITY.

SSRIs and Serotonin Syndrome

SSRIs and Serotonin Syndrome

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

For patients taking SSRIs, watch for serotonin syndrome! Symptoms: agitation, hallucinations, fever, diaphoresis, tremors.

SSRIs and Serotonin Syndrome

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

For patients taking SSRIs, watch for serotonin syndrome! Symptoms: agitation, hallucinations, fever, diaphoresis, tremors.

Food interactions

Food interactions

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When in doubt regarding a question or food interaction with a medication, grapefruit juice is usually a safe bet!

Food interactions

Cathy Parkes RN, BSN, PHN, CWCN

When in doubt regarding a question or food interaction with a medication, grapefruit juice is usually a safe bet!