Where do you get your details about drugs?

As I discussed in a previous post, some of the stressful things I experienced in nursing school was remembering all the data about medications. I remember preparing for a clinical visit the night before with medication lists for my two patients, a medical booklet at my side, a stack of index cards, pencils, and various coloured highlighters. The lists can be long, as if my instructor was choosing my patient assignments based solely on the number of medicines I can be administering, and it never failed that my patients’ medication lists didn’t overlap. For example, it seemed that though they each had a history of cardiac problems and hypertension, one was taking a diuretic and the opposite was taking an ACE inhibitor! However, the joke was often geared toward me, because regardless of how well I remembered the drug names, indications, dosages, uncomfortable side effects, and interactions, there was at all times one or two orders of medication that were modified before arriving on the clinic. Of course, these newly ordered medications are those my instructor asked me about! Ahhh…the fun of nursing school!

I’ve heard lots in regards to the “reality shock” of starting as a brand new RN. I knew I would not give you the option to collect information from patients the night before and discover every part about their medications upfront. How to oversee medication administration? Would I deliver them safely and be alert to any potential uncomfortable side effects? Would I make a mistake?

One of my most significant nursing tools as a brand new graduate was the medication manual my preceptor gave me. She advised me to focus on it, mark pages, take notes, and do the rest on it that might help me administer my medications safely. Over the years I purchased latest editions, but still used them in the identical way as the primary book.

Access to drug information is now easier than ever. The Internet allows us to acquire any information in a matter of seconds. However, it is vitally essential to be sure that the data you access is accurate and up-to-date.

Prescribing information can often be found on pharmaceutical company web sites or in a search engine FDA approved medicinal products. For safety information, FDA drug safety labeling changes and Institute for Safe Medication Practices these are good sites you’ll be able to add to your favorites. Also make sure to check for medication updates here at NursingCenter. We’ll keep you informed about drug news, drug errors, and the most recent drug and CE-related articles we publish in our journals. What resources do you employ?