Special Considerations Flashcards
Acetaminophen/ APAP (Special Considerations)
This is not a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
The drug can cause acute liver failure and death when taken as an overdose
Consider decreased dosages for elderly patients and patients with liver disease due to their slow metabolic function
Peak effect- 30 to 60 minutes
Duration- 4 to 6 hours
Acetylsalicylic acid/ASA (Special considerations)
The drug may increase adverse reactions and side effects when administered with anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin)
Peak effect- 1 to 2 hours
Duration- 4 to 6 hours
Activated Charcoal (Special Considerations)
If aspirated, the drug can cause serious pulmonary complications
Peak effect- variable
Duration- variable
Adenosine (Special Considerations)
Constant monitoring of patient’s cardiac rhythm is required during administration of the drug
Half-life is 6-10 seconds
Peak effect- 20 to 30 seconds
Duration- 30 seconds
Albuterol Sulfate (Special Considerations)
Drug may be used in conjunction with Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)
Peak effect- 1 to 1.5 hours
Duration- 3 to 6 hours
Amiodarone (Special Considerations)
Peak effect- 10 minutes
Duration- variable
Atropine Sulfate (Special Considerations)
Consider transcutaneous pacing for bradydysrhythmias refractory to administration of the drug
Bumetanide (Special considerations)
Bumetanide 1.0 mg has the diuretic potency of furosemide 40 mg
Peak effect- 15 to 30 minutes
Duration- 3 to 4 hours
Calcium Chloride (Special Considerations)
Drug may be used as a pretreatment to the administration of diltiazem (Cardizem)
Drug may cause bradydysrhythmias with a patient prescribe digoxin (Lanoxin)
Peak effect- variable
Duration- variable
Calcium Gluconate 2.5% Topical Gel (Special considerations)
Peak effect- variable
Duration- variable
Calcium Gluconate (Special Considerations)
Peak- immediate
Duration- 30 to 120 minutes
Dexamethasone (Special Considerations)
Peak effect- 6 to 12 hours
Duration- 24 to 72 hours
Dextrose 50% (Special Considerations)
Drug may be used in conjunction with thiamine (Vitamin B1) for a patient with malnutrition or alcohol abuse
Check the blood glucose level before administering the drug
Check the blood glucose level after each additional dosage of the drug
Peak effect- variable
Duration- Variable
Diazepam (Special Considerations)
Peak effect IV/IO- 15 minutes
Duration IV/IO- 15 to 60 minutes
Peak effect IM- 30 to 45 minutes
Duration IM- 15 to 60 minutes
Peak effect Rectal for PEDS- variable
Duration Rectal for PEDS- Variable
Efficiency of rectal to adults has not been established
Diltiazem (Special Considerations)
Consider decreasing the dosage for elderly patients
Consider pretreatment with calcium chloride
Peak effect- 7 minutes
Duration- 1 to 3 hours
An infusion pump should be used to administer
Diphenhydramine (Special Considerations)
Peak effect- 1 hour
Duration- 6 to 8 hours
Dopamine (Special Considerations)
Peak- 5 to 10 minutes
Duration- variable
An infusion pump should be use to administer the drug when possible
Epinephrine (Special Considerations)
Drug can increase adverse reactions and side effects when administered with another Sympathomimetic drug
Peak IV/IO/ET- less than 5 minutes
Duration IV/IO/ET- 5 to 10 minutes
Peak effect IM- less than 20 minutes
Duration IM- 20 to 30 minutes
An infusion pump should be used to administer the drug when possible
Etomidate (Special Considerations)
Peak effect- less than 1 minute
Duration- 3 to 5 minutes
Fentanyl (Special Considerations)
Peak effect- 3 to 5 minutes
Duration- 30 to 60 minutes
Fentanyl 100 mcg is equivalent in analgesia to morphine 10 mg
Furosemide (Special Considerations)
Peak effect- 20 to 30 minutes
Duration- 3 to 6 hours