I dilute all my IV meds in NS and push slowly, whether it's required or not. If they're a mix (like protonix or solu-medrol), I always use as much NS as I can leave in the 10ml syringe.
From a physiology standpoint, all of this stuff is poison to veins, so the more dilute the solution, the better off the vein will be. Also, if the IV if saline-locked, I make sure to flush with NS AFTER the meds, for the same reason noted above. It will save the vein and the IV site!
As a side note, when you flush saline-locks, make sure to flush BOTH ports. I've seen several ports clot off lately because other nurses only run fluids or flush 1 of the ports.
Haldol
Ativan
Hydralazine
Protonix
Haldol
Toradol
SoluMedrol
Dilaudid
Morphine
Beta Blockers:
Lopressor (Metoprolol) Coreg, Betapace (Sotalol), Toprol (cont. dose Metoprolol), Normodyne (Labetolol), Tenormin (Atenolol). (-olol endings are generally Beta Blockers.
Reversal agents for narcotics and benzos
Insulin (humulin r)
Hydromorphone
Hydromorphone, oxymorhone, tramadol are all painkillers.
Statins are for high cholesterol (atorvastatin, lovastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, etc.)
Furosemide
Amlodipine
Plavix
Valium
Heparin
Dobutamine
Cardiac Meds Tip
in addition to knowing the effects and type of cardiac meds you are giving, always know your pts b/p and pulse and rhythm before giving. I had a pt whose pressures usually ran in the 140's/50's, and his am vs were asymptomatic b/p 92/50, pulse of 61. Ran it by the doc- pt ok, but hold med. I didn't want to dump his pressure if I gave the med at that time. Usually pts on digoxin also require a 1 min apical pulse too.
Nitrates
Imdur (Isosorbate Mononitrate), Isordil (Isosorbids Dinitrate) Ismo, etc.
