MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION & PHARMACOLOGY

Drug /dose Indications When Route Action and Pharmacokinetics Common Interaction Nursing Implications
Generic Name [*indicate which relevant side potential -Pre/Post Assessments
Family/Classification one pertains to effects -Safe Dose Range
your patient] -Administration
Heparin 5000 Venous Same Subcut Prevents conversion of fibrinogen Fever Asses for bleeding, hemorrhage (gums,
units thrombosis/ time to fibrin and prothrombin to Rash petechiae, ecchymosis, black tarry stools,
subcutaneous Thromboem every thrombin by enhancing inhibitory Hemorrhage hematuria)
BID bolism day effects of antithrombin III Anemia Blood studies-platelet count
Anticoagulant Coagulopath Half-life 1–2 hr (dose dependent); Hematuria Safe dose range: 5000-20000 units
Antithrombotic ies Onset 20–60 min, duration 8– Anaphylaxis Give deeply with 25-gauge 1- to 1.25-cm
IV patency 12hr excreted in urine needle; do not massage area or aspirate
Peripheral when giving SUBCUT injection; give in
arterial abdomen, rotate sites; do not pull back on
embolism plunger; leave in for 10 sec; apply gentle
Thrombophl pressure for 1 min
ebitis
Dimenhydrinate Motion Before Intram Competes with histamine for H1 Drowsiness Assess: VS, BP; check patients with
25-50mg IM q4- sickness + after, uscular receptors in GI tract, blood Dizziness cardiac disease more often, drowsiness and
6hrs for nausea Radiation q4hrs vessels, respiratory tract; central Hypotension dizziness, signs of toxicity of other
Antiemetic, sickness after anticholinergic activity, which Constipation products or masking of symptoms of
antihistamine, Drug- proced results in decreased vestibular Dry mouth disease: brain tumour, intestinal
antivertigo agent induced ure stimulation and blockade of Anaphylaxis obstruction
nausea chemoreceptor trigger zone Avoid hazardous activities due to possible
Vomiting Onset 15–30 min, duration 4–6 hr drowsiness
Vertigo Safe dose range: 25-400 mg/24 hr
Use undiluted
IM injection is in large muscle mass;
aspirate to avoid IV administration
Tablets may be swallowed whole, chewed,
or allowed to dissolve
Insulin N 15 Treatment Q12h Subcut Decreases blood glucose by Hypoglycemia Assess fasting blood glucose, A1C
units subcut for insulin- BID transport of glucose into cells and Somogyi Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia,
q12h requiring the conversion of glucose to effect hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis (nausea,
Antidiabetic, diabetic glycogen, indirectly increases Flushing thirst, polyuria, dry mouth, decreased BP,
pancreatic blood pyruvate and lactate, Dry mouth dry, flushed skin)
patients
hormone decreases phosphate and Lipodystrophy Safe dose range: 8-82 units/day
potassium Anaphylaxis SUBCUT dosage individualized by blood,
Onset 1.5–4 hr, peak 4–12 hr, urine glucose; usual dose 7–26 units; may
duration ≤24 hr increase by 2–10 units/day if needed
Should appear cloudy
T:/Pharmacology Table CCM.doc 4 REVISED SEPT 2016
 Roll between palms to warm, store at room
temp for <1 mo, keep away from heat and
sunlight, refrigerate all other supply
Should not be given by IV
Insulin R sliding Treatment ½–1 hr Subcut Decreases blood glucose by Hypoglycemia Assess fasting blood glucose, A1C
scale subcut for insulin- before transport of glucose into cells and Somogyi Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia,
QID requiring meals the conversion of glucose to effect hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis (nausea,
Antidiabetic, diabetic glycogen, indirectly increases Flushing thirst, polyuria, dry mouth, decreased BP,
pancreatic patients blood pyruvate and lactate, Dry mouth dry, flushed skin)
hormone decreases phosphate and Lipodystrophy Safe dose range: 2-24 units
potassium Anaphylaxis Regular insulin is clear; do not use if
Onset 30 min, peak 2.5–5 hr, cloudy, thick, or discoloured
duration up to 7 hr

T:/Pharmacology Table CCM.doc 4 REVISED SEPT 2016