pain management
Medications
Instructed patient on new medication Sulindac. Sulindac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Sulindac works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Sulindac is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, or gout. Patient verbalized understanding.
SN instructed patient and caregiver on SIMVASTATIN. Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medicine. It inhibits the production of cholesterol by the liver. High blood cholesterol is first treated with exercise, weight loss, and a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats. When these measures fail, cholesterol-lowering medications such as Simvastatin can be added. Simvastatin is generally well-tolerated and side effects are rare. Minor side effects of Simvastatin include constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, gas, heartburn, and headache. Major side effects of Simvastatin include abdominal pain or cramps, blurred vision, dizziness, easy bruising or bleeding, itching, muscle pain or cramps, rash, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.
SN educated patient and caregiver on Lidocaine patches. These patches are used to relieve the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN; the burning, stabbing pains, or aches that may last for months or years after a shingles infection). It works by stopping nerves from sending pain signals. To apply the patches, follow these steps: 1. Look at the skin that you plan to cover with a lidocaine patch. If the skin is broken or blistered, do not apply a patch to that area. 2. Use scissors to remove the outer seal from the package. Then pull apart the zipper seal. 3. Remove up to three patches from the package and press the zipper seal tightly together. The remaining patches may dry out if the zipper seal is not tightly closed. 4. Cut patch(es) to the size and shape that will cover your most painful area. 5. Peel the transparent liner off the back of the patch(es). 6. Press the patch(es) firmly onto your skin. If you are applying a patch to your face, be careful not to let it touch your eyes. If you do get lidocaine in your eye, wash it with plenty of water or saline solution. 7. Wash your hands after handling lidocaine patches. 8. Do not reuse lidocaine patches.
SN instructed patient to keep pre-filled syringes at room temperature. SN instructed/demonstrated patient / caregiver on proper administration of Lovenox. SN informed that the most common side effect associated with Lovenox is bleeding. Patient was instructed to call Physician (MD) they experience any increased pain signs or symptoms of excessive bleeding/bruising. SN Informed that mild localized irritation, pain, hematoma, ecchymosis may occur at the site of injection.
Instructed patient on medication Amiodarone. This medication is used to stabilize the rhythm of your heart. Amiodarone is used to treat ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Take this medication at the same time daily as directed. May take with or without food. Avoid grapefruit, St. John's wort, & sunlight or tanning beds. common side effects include: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite; or constipation. Call your doctor or get medical help at once if you have: chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, trouble breathing, vision problems, upper stomach pain, vomiting, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or if you cough up blood. Tell your doctor if you have signs of a thyroid problem, such as weight changes, extreme tiredness, dry skin, thinning hair, feeling too hot or too cold, irregular menstrual periods, or swelling in your neck (goiter).
Instructed in new medication Amoxicillin and in S/E such as lethargy, hallucinations, seizures, anxiety, confusion, agitation, depression, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, stomatitis, gastritis, abdominal pain, enterocolitis, pseudomembranous colitis, black tongue, interstitial nephritis, nephropathy, vaginitis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, eosinophilia, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis, hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis, and overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms.
Notify MD if rash, fever, or chills develop. A rash is the most common allergic reaction, especially if allopurinol is also being taken.
Instructed in new medication Sulfaprim and in S/E such as headache, mental depression, aseptic meningitis, tinnitus, apathy, seizures, hallucinations, ataxia, nervousness, fatigue, vertigo, insomnia, thrombophlebitis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anorexia, stomatitis, pancreatitis, pseudomembranous colitis, toxic nephrosis with oliguria and anuria, crystalluria, hematuria, interstitial nephritis, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, jaundice, hepatic necrosis, arthralgia, myalgia, muscle weakness, pulmonary infiltrates, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, generalized skin eruption, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis, photosensitivity, urticaria, pruritus, hypersensitivity reactions, serum sickness, drug fever and anaphylaxis.
Instructed in new medication Allopuriniol and in S/E such as drowsiness, fever, headache, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, neuritis, hypersensitivity vasculitis, necrotizing angiitis, epistaxis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, gastritis, taste loss (or perversion, dyspepsia), renal failure, uremia, agranulocytosis, anemia, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, leukocytosis, eosinophilia, hepatitis, hepatic necrosis, hepatomegaly, cholestatic jaundice, arthralgia, myopathy, rash, exfoliative, urticarial, and purpuric lesions, erythema multiforme, severe furunculosis of nose, ichthyosis, alopecia, toxic epidermal necrolysis, ecchymoses, chills.
Instructed in new medication Prevacid and in S/E such as headache, dizziness, vertigo, malaise, paresthesia, fever, palpitations, flushing, orbital edema, tinnitus, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia, taste perversion, dry mouth, bone and muscle pain, acne, dry skin and transient irritation at I.V. site.
Instructed in new medication Sinemet and in S/E such as choreiform, dystonic, dyskinetic movements, involuntary grimacing, head movements, myoclonic body jerks, ataxia, tremor, muscle twitching, bradykinetic episodes, psychiatric disturbances, anxiety, disturbing dreams, euphoria, malaise, fatigue, severe depression, suicidal tendencies, dementia, delirium, hallucinations (may necessitate reduction or withdrawal of drug), confusion, insomnia, agitation, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac irregularities, phlebitis, blepharospasm, blurred vision, diplopia, mydriasis or miosis, oculogyric crises, excessive salivation, dry mouth, bitter taste, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, constipation, flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal pain, urinary frequency, urine retention, urinary incontinence, darkened urine, priapism, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, hepatotoxicity, weight loss (may occur at start of therapy), hiccups, hyperventilation, and dark perspiration.