Palliative Care Flashcards
What are the most salient data for a PC patient? (7)
Weakness/fatigue, dehydration (dry mucous membranes, poor skin turgor dec u/o), renal failure (decreased u/o), decreased LOC/delirium (relieved by AH), changes in resp, can’t close eyes, incontinence.
What do we need to consider with PC patient’s pain? What are adjuvants for pain? What route should be used whenever possible?
Consider “total pain”. Anti-emetics (anti-cholinergics), warm/cold compress, positioning, other non-opioid medications. PO.
What sort of schedule should pain medications be given on?
Fixed schedule, NO PRN. Titrate as necessary.
How often are we giving our immediate release pain meds? Which meds are these?
Q4h. Morphine and dilaudid.
How often are we giving sustained release medications? What meds are these?
Q24 hr. Fentanyl.
Which medication is NOT recommended for PC?
Demerol.
What type of medication will we admin for breakthrough pain? What dosage?
Immediate release. 1/2 Q4h dose.
What is the equianalgesic for PO:IM/SC?
2:1
What types of medications are effective for bone pain?
Opioids, NSAID, steroids, bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate)
What medications will we give someone who has SOB? (7)
Opioids, bronchodilators, diuretics, steroids, anxiolytics, neuroleptics, O2 (only early on in dying process).
What medications can we give patients experiencing delirium? What also helps with delirium?
Neuroleptic (haloperidol, chlorpromazine, methotrimeprazine), midazolam. IVF.
What medications are helpful for nausea associated with PC?
Nabilone (cannabinoid), anticholinergic (scopolamine, hyoscine).
What is nabilone? What is it used for?
Cannabinoid. Used for N/V and appetite stimulant.
What is scopolamine? What is it used for?
Anti-emetic/anticholinergic. N/V, decreased resp secretions, block Ach and serotonin in CNS.
What is hyoscine? What is it used for?
Anticholinergic. Decrease resp secretions.
