10 Essential Medicines Every Nurse Should Know

Nurses play a key role in administering medications. Understanding the fundamentals of common medications will help ensure protected and effective patient care. From pain management to controlling blood pressure, listed here are 10 essential medications from that each nurse should know.

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1. Paracetamol

Acetaminophen, commonly known by the trade name Tylenol^®is a primary medication used for its antipyretic and analgesic properties. Be alert for overdose symptoms, as many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications contain acetaminophen, and excessive consumption can result in liver damage.

Mainly used to lower fever and relieve pain

Depends on route of administration, age and formulation; normally 325–650 mg every 4–6 hours

2. Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen (Advil^®Motril^®) is one other popular medication. Although effective in reducing inflammation, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding or renal dysfunction needs to be monitored in patients taking high doses or for long periods of time.

Mainly used to alleviate pain, fever and inflammation

Varies depending on route of administration, age and formula

3. Aspirin

Although aspirin is often used, it shouldn’t be given to children or teenagers recovering from viral infections as a result of an increased risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Used to treat inflammation, pain and fever, and for its antiplatelet effects in treating or stopping myocardial infarction (MI), reducing the danger of stroke and controlling acute ischemic stroke
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Varies depending on the indication

4. Lisinopril

Lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, is used to treat hypertension. Lisinopril is contraindicated in patients who’re sensitive to ACE inhibitors and in those with a history of angioedema. Blood pressure needs to be monitored closely after the initial dose due to risk of hypotension.

Treats hypertension, heart failure and improves survival after myocardial infarction

Initial dose 5-10 mg every day, depending on the indication; maximum dose is 40 mg every day

5. Metoprolol

Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that requires careful dose titration and monitoring for bradycardia and hypotension. The patient’s pulse needs to be checked before administering the drug. It also needs to be remembered that after discontinuing metoprolol, it shouldn’t be stopped abruptly; the dose needs to be step by step reduced over 1 to 2 weeks.

Treating hypertension, angina pectoris, heart failure and reducing the danger of death after myocardial infarction

Varies depending on route and indication

6. Albuterol

Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator and is used as a rescue inhaler for bronchospasm. Be aware of symptoms of asthma exacerbation and the potential risks of overusing rescue inhalers.

Used to treat, prevent, or cure bronchospasm in individuals with reversible bronchospasm

Depends on age and formula; for inhalation in adults, normally 1–2 inhalations every 4–6 hours or 2.5 mg from a nebulizer every 6–8 hours

7. Insulin

Insulin works by stimulating glucose uptake by cells, inhibiting glucose production within the liver, and regulating glucose metabolism. There are many sorts of insulin available, so it will be significant to know which kind you take and to watch out about calculating your dose. Educate patients about glucose monitoring and self-administration.

Used to control blood glucose levels in patients with hyperglycemia, most frequently diabetes.

Very individual, depending on blood glucose levels, in addition to the kind and route of administration

8. Morphine

Morphine is an opioid analgesic. Assess pain levels and monitor vital signs, especially respiratory rate, as this drug could cause respiratory depression.

Used to treat moderate to severe pain; often utilized in post-operative and palliative care settings

Depends on the route of administration; chosen depending on the effect

9. Heparin

Heparin is an anticoagulant agent. Due to the danger of hemorrhage, follow your facility’s heparin administration protocol. Monitor for signs of bleeding, including hematomas at injection sites.

An anticoagulant used to treat and forestall blood clots

Varies depending on the indication and route of administration; within the case of unfractionated heparin in a therapeutic dose, the dose is set based on the PTT results

10. Levothyroxine

Be conversant in the symptoms of hypothyroidism and the necessity to observe thyroid hormone levels in patients taking levothyroxine, while also being attentive to the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Used to treat hypothyroidism

It is began with low doses after which the dose is adjusted as needed until the patient is euthyroid and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels normalize.

It is crucial that nurses are knowledgeable in regards to the medications they administer, not only to make sure the protection of their patients, but in addition to effectively educate them. provides in-depth knowledge of those and plenty of other medications, representing a necessary tool in every nurse’s arsenal to make sure the best quality look after patients.

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