emergency preparedness
SN advised patient don't rub the injection site. This could cause bruising. Don't push air bubbles out of the syringe unless your doctor tells you to. Each syringe comes with air bubbles. Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if: You cough up blood.You vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds.You pass maroon or very bloody stools.
SN instructed patient / caregiver about Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol(Duoneb); get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using albuterol and ipratropium and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems,chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, anxiety, uneven heart beat), swelling of your ankles or feet, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights, painful or difficult urination. Other common side effects may include: mild headache, or cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, or sore throat.
SN instructed patient / caregiver about Methylprednisolone ( Medrol ), it is a corticosteroid used to treat severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, and skin conditions. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. Possible side effects, that may go away during treatment, include difficulty sleeping, mood changes, nervousness, increased appetite, or indigestion. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience swelling of feet or legs unusual weight gain black, tarry stools vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds severe nausea or vomiting changes in menstrual periods headache muscle weakness or prolonged sore throat, cold or fever. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. DO NOT stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause serious side effects. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine makes you more susceptible to illnesses, especially if you take it for an extended period of time. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people who have colds or other infections. Report any injuries or signs of infection (fever, sore throat, pain during urination, or muscle aches) that occur during treatment and within 12 months after stopping this medicine.
SN instructed patient about Linzess (linaclotide) which is indicated in adults for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. It can cause serious side effects, including diarrhea, the most common side effect, which can be severe. Diarrhea often begins within the first 2 weeks of treatment. Stop taking Linzess and call your doctor asap if you get severe diarrhea during treatment with Linzess. Other common side effect may include gas, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, swelling, or a feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen (distension). Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you develop unusual or severe stomach-area (abdominal) pain, especially if you also have bright red, bloody stools or black stools that look like tar.
The patient was instructed to return to the emergency department if: your JP drain breaks or comes out. You have cloudy yellow or brown drainage from your JP drain site, or the drainage smells bad.
SN instructed about Morphine. This is can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever you dose is changed. Never take morphine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to morphine: hives; difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have: slow heart rate, sighing, weak or shallow breathing, chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, extreme drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out. Morphine is more likely to cause breathing problems in older adults and people who are severely ill, malnourished, or otherwise debilitated. Common morphine side effects may include: drowsiness, dizziness; constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, tired feeling, anxiety or mild itching.
SN instructed patient that eliquis could cause bruising, internal bleeding, increased bleeding time so if any falls, severe cuts or unexplained pain or pain pressure call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if: You cough up blood, you vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds, you pass maroon or very bloody stools. Patient was able to be taught back.
SN instructed patient / caregiver about a few simple precautions that can be taken to create a safe home environment when using oxygen. Post signs in every room where oxygen is in use. Make sure that absolutely no smoking occurs in the home or in the car when oxygen is in use. Secure an oxygen cylinder to a solidly fixed object to avoid creating a missile out of the tank. This might happen if it was accidentally knocked over and gas was allowed to escape. Use caution with oxygen tubing so you do not trip over it or become entangled in furniture. Be familiar with the equipment and the safety checks established by the medical equipment provider. Keep their contact telephone numbers, and the numbers for other emergency services, posted near a phone. Do not try to repair broken equipment on your own. Request this service from the oxygen provider. Make sure smoke detectors in the home are working. Have fresh batteries installed. Perform monthly checks. Have a fire extinguisher available in the home as well ( Use type ABC ). Create and practice an escape and rescue plan in the event of a fire. Notify the local fire department, gas and electric companies and telephone company when home oxygen therapy is started. Request a "priority service listing". This is for those times when there is a power or telephone failure or repairs are needed on any utility.
SN instructed patient / caregiver regarding Metoprolol Tartrate, which is in a group of drugs called beta - blockers. That is affect the heart and circulation ( blood flow through arteries and veins ). Metoprolol is used to treat angina ( chest pain ) and hypertension ( high blood pressure ). It is also used to treat or prevent heart attack. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, feeling light - headed, fainting; feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion, swelling of your hands or feet, nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay - colored stools, jaundice ( yellowing of the skin or eyes ), easy bruising, unusual bleeding ( nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum ), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin, wheezing, trouble breathing. Less serious side effects may include: dry mouth, constipation, heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, drowsiness, tired feeling, sleep problems ( insomnia ), or anxiety, nervousness. Do not suddenly stop taking metoprolol tartrate. Sharp chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes heart attack may occur if you suddenly stop metoprolol tartrate. The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take metoprolol tartrate before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care or surgery.
SN explained that the problems with the veins in the legs may lead to chronic venous insufficiency ( CVI ). CVI means that there is a long-term problem with the veins not being able to pump blood back to your heart. When this happens, blood stays in the legs and causes swelling and aching. Two problems that may lead to chronic venous insufficiency are: Damaged valves. Valves keep blood flowing from the legs through the blood vessels and back to the heart. When the valves are damaged, blood does not flow as well. Deep vein thrombosis ( DVT ). Blood clots may form in the deep veins of the legs. This may cause pain, redness, and swelling in the legs. It may also block the flow of blood back to the heart. Seek immediate medical care if you have these symptoms. A blood clot in the leg can also break off and travel to the lungs. This is called pulmonary embolism ( PE ). In the lungs, the clot can cut off the flow of blood. This may cause chest pain, trouble breathing, sweating, a fast heartbeat, coughing (may cough up blood), and fainting. It is a medical emergency and may cause death. Call 911 if you have these symptoms. Healthcare providers call the two conditions,Deep vein thrombosis ( DVT ) and pulmonary embolism ( PE ), venous thromboembolism ( VTE ).