Chapter 4: Key points Flashcards
Concept Mastery Alert: Nursing Care of the Diabetic Client
Clients with diabetes who are prescribed new antihyperglycemic medication should be assessed for any other chronic conditions. The client’s history is an important element of assessment related to drug therapy because prior and comorbid illnesses and current medications can influence a drug’s effect. Once the presence of any other condition is established, the nurse can educate the client on adverse effects and how to take their medication.
Box 4.2: Focus on Safe Medication Administration
Review the monographs in a drug guide or handbook for specific parameters to be assessed in relation to the particular drug being discussed. This assessment provides not only the baseline information needed before giving that drug but also the data required to evaluate the effects of that drug on the patient. This information should supplement the overall nursing assessment of the patient, which includes social, intellectual, financial, environmental, and other factors.
Box 4.3: Focus on Safe Medication Administration
Special points regarding drug administration and related comfort measures are noted with each drug class discussed in this book. Refer to the individual drug monographs in a drug guide or handbook for more detailed interventions regarding a specific drug.
What do nurses use the nursing process for?
Nurses use the nursing process to provide a framework for organizing the information that is needed to provide safe and effective patient care.
What are the steps of the nursing process?
The steps of the nursing process (assessment, nursing conclusion, planning, intervention, and evaluation) are constantly being repeated to meet the ever-changing needs of the patient/family.
What does the nursing process provide?
The nursing process provides an effective method for handling all of the scientific and technical information, as well as the unique emotional, social, and physical factors that each patient brings to a given situation.
Summary- Nursing is a
Nursing is a complex art and science that provides for nurturing and care of the sick, as well as prevention and education services.
Summary- components of the nursing assessment provide
Components of the nursing assessment (history of past illnesses and the current complaint, as well as a physical examination) provide a database of baseline information to ensure safe administration of a drug and to evaluate the drug’s effectiveness and adverse effects.
Summary- what must the nursing assessment include?
Nursing assessment must include information on the history of past illnesses and the current complaint as well as a complete drug history and a physical examination; this provides a database of baseline information to ensure safe administration of a drug and to evaluate the drug’s effectiveness and adverse effects.
Summary- what are nursing conclusions developed from?
Nursing conclusions are developed from the information gathered during the assessment phase of the nursing process. A nursing conclusion is a statement of an actual or potential concern for the patient/family.
Summary- planning
Planning uses the information gathered and the resultant nursing conclusions to determine the desired patient outcomes, setting goals for safe and effective drug administration. The plan will lead to the necessary nursing interventions.
Summary- nursing interventions related to drug therapy include
Nursing interventions related to drug therapy include safely administering the drug, providing comfort measures to help the patient cope with the therapeutic or adverse effects of a drug, and providing patient and family education to ensure safe and effective drug therapy.
Summary- evaluation
Evaluation is part of the continuing process of patient care that leads to changes in assessment, conclusions, and interventions. The patient is continually evaluated for therapeutic response, the occurrence of adverse drug effects, and the occurrence of drug–drug, drug–food, drug–alternative therapy, or drug–laboratory test interactions.
Summary- nursing care guide and patient education materials
A nursing care guide and patient education materials can be prepared for each drug being given, using information about a drug’s therapeutic effects, adverse effects, and special considerations.
Summary- prevention of medication errors
Prevention of medication errors is a complicated task that involves the prescriber, the pharmacist, the nurse administering the drugs, and the patient. The nurse needs to be vigilant in administering drugs to check the “rights” of drug administration. The patient needs to be educated to be their own advocate and to take steps to avoid medication errors.
