Pharmacology for LPN
Conversion of milligrams to micrograms, grams to milligrams, and kilograms to grams
** Answer** 1 mg = 1,000 mcg
1 g = 1,000 mg
1 kg = 1,000 g
Conversion of kilograms to pounds, milliliters to grain, milligrams to ounce, and liter to
milliliters. ** Answer** 1 kg = 2.2 lb
60 mg = 1 grain
30 ml = 1 oz
1 l = 1,000 ml
Conversion of milliliters to teaspoon, milliliters to tablespoon, and tablespoon to
teaspoon ** Answer** 5 ml = 1 tsp
15 ml = 1 tbsp
1 tbsp = 3 tsp
Temperature Conversions for Celsius and Fahrenheit ** Answer** 37°C = 98.6°F
°C = (°F - 32) * (5/9)
°F = (°C * 9/5) + 32
What is the LPN responsibility when administrating medication? (3 out of 5) **
Answer** 1. Prepare to calculate and monitor IV flow rate.
2. Prepare to administer IV secondary medications
3. Validate the patients allergies and any adverse effects.
4. Current medication regimen for potential interactions.
5. Physiologic status compared to baseline assessment data
What are the six rights of medication administration? ** Answer** 1. Client
2. Drug
3. Dose
4. Route
5. Time
6. Documentation
What are the types of IV access? ** Answer** 1. Peripheral vein
2. Central venous catheters
- Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)
- Nontunneled percutaneous central venous catheter
- Tunneled central venous catheter
- Implanted port
What are the complications with IV infusion? (5 out of 5) ** Answer** 1. Infiltration
2. Extravasation
3. Phlebitis/thrombophlebitis
4. Hematoma
5. Catheter embolus
What is the infiltration prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Use the smallest
catheter for the prescribed therapy. Stabilize port access and monitor blood return.
2. Stop infusion. Remove peripheral catheters. Apply cold compress. Elevate extremity.
Insert new catheter in opposite extremity.
What is the extravasation prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Know vesicant
potential before giving medication.
, 2. Stop infusion. Discontinue administration set. Aspirate medication if possible. Apply
cold compress. Document condition of site.
What is the phlebitis/thrombophlebitis prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1.
Rotate sites every 72 to 96 hr. For PICCs, avoid excessive activity with the extremity.
2. Stop infusion. Remove peripheral IV catheters. Apply heat compress. Insert new
catheter in opposite extremity.
What is the hematoma prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Avoid veins not
easily seen or palpated. Obtain hemostasis after insertion.
2. Remove IV device and apply light pressure for bleeding. Monitor for signs of phlebitis
and treat.
What is the catheter embolus prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Do not
reinsert stylet needle into catheter.
2. Immediately apply tourniquet high on extremity to limit venous flow. Prepare for
removal under x-ray.
What are the complications with Central Venous Catheters? (4 out of 4) ** Answer**
1. Pneumothorax
2. Air embolism
3. Lumen occlusion
4. Bloodstream infection
What is the pneumothorax prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Use ultrasound
to locate veins . Avoid subclavian insertion when possible.
2. Administer oxygen. Assist provider with chest tube insertion.
What is the air embolism prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Have client lie
flat when changing administration set or needleless connectors.
2. Place client in left lateral trendelenburg. Administer oxygen.
What is the bloodstream infection prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1.
Maintain sterile technique.
2. Change entire infusion system. Notify provider. Obtain cultures. Administer
antibiotics.
What are the complications with PICC lines and their intervention? ** Answer** 1.
Phlebitis: apply low degree heat. Discontinue if not resolved.
2. Catheter embolism: secure catheter. Avoid pulling. Follow safe practices for catheter
removal.
3. Infection: Use aseptic technique. Keep dressing clean and dry. Intervene immediately
for any sign of infection.
What is TPN? What does it to? ** Answer** 1. Total Parental Nutrition
2. TPN is a hypertonic solution containing dextrose, proteins, electrolytes, trace
elements, and insulin. It is administered via central venous device (PICC, subclavian or
internal jugular vein)
What is the care and maintenance of TPN? ** Answer** 1. Before administering,
verify prescription and solution with another nurse.
2. Administer via infusion pump.
3. Monitor weight daily.
4. Monitor and record I&O, noting fluid balance.
5. Monitor serum glucose levels every 4 to 6 hr.
6. Monitor for signs of infection.
Conversion of milligrams to micrograms, grams to milligrams, and kilograms to grams
** Answer** 1 mg = 1,000 mcg
1 g = 1,000 mg
1 kg = 1,000 g
Conversion of kilograms to pounds, milliliters to grain, milligrams to ounce, and liter to
milliliters. ** Answer** 1 kg = 2.2 lb
60 mg = 1 grain
30 ml = 1 oz
1 l = 1,000 ml
Conversion of milliliters to teaspoon, milliliters to tablespoon, and tablespoon to
teaspoon ** Answer** 5 ml = 1 tsp
15 ml = 1 tbsp
1 tbsp = 3 tsp
Temperature Conversions for Celsius and Fahrenheit ** Answer** 37°C = 98.6°F
°C = (°F - 32) * (5/9)
°F = (°C * 9/5) + 32
What is the LPN responsibility when administrating medication? (3 out of 5) **
Answer** 1. Prepare to calculate and monitor IV flow rate.
2. Prepare to administer IV secondary medications
3. Validate the patients allergies and any adverse effects.
4. Current medication regimen for potential interactions.
5. Physiologic status compared to baseline assessment data
What are the six rights of medication administration? ** Answer** 1. Client
2. Drug
3. Dose
4. Route
5. Time
6. Documentation
What are the types of IV access? ** Answer** 1. Peripheral vein
2. Central venous catheters
- Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)
- Nontunneled percutaneous central venous catheter
- Tunneled central venous catheter
- Implanted port
What are the complications with IV infusion? (5 out of 5) ** Answer** 1. Infiltration
2. Extravasation
3. Phlebitis/thrombophlebitis
4. Hematoma
5. Catheter embolus
What is the infiltration prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Use the smallest
catheter for the prescribed therapy. Stabilize port access and monitor blood return.
2. Stop infusion. Remove peripheral catheters. Apply cold compress. Elevate extremity.
Insert new catheter in opposite extremity.
What is the extravasation prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Know vesicant
potential before giving medication.
, 2. Stop infusion. Discontinue administration set. Aspirate medication if possible. Apply
cold compress. Document condition of site.
What is the phlebitis/thrombophlebitis prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1.
Rotate sites every 72 to 96 hr. For PICCs, avoid excessive activity with the extremity.
2. Stop infusion. Remove peripheral IV catheters. Apply heat compress. Insert new
catheter in opposite extremity.
What is the hematoma prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Avoid veins not
easily seen or palpated. Obtain hemostasis after insertion.
2. Remove IV device and apply light pressure for bleeding. Monitor for signs of phlebitis
and treat.
What is the catheter embolus prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Do not
reinsert stylet needle into catheter.
2. Immediately apply tourniquet high on extremity to limit venous flow. Prepare for
removal under x-ray.
What are the complications with Central Venous Catheters? (4 out of 4) ** Answer**
1. Pneumothorax
2. Air embolism
3. Lumen occlusion
4. Bloodstream infection
What is the pneumothorax prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Use ultrasound
to locate veins . Avoid subclavian insertion when possible.
2. Administer oxygen. Assist provider with chest tube insertion.
What is the air embolism prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1. Have client lie
flat when changing administration set or needleless connectors.
2. Place client in left lateral trendelenburg. Administer oxygen.
What is the bloodstream infection prevention and treatment? ** Answer** 1.
Maintain sterile technique.
2. Change entire infusion system. Notify provider. Obtain cultures. Administer
antibiotics.
What are the complications with PICC lines and their intervention? ** Answer** 1.
Phlebitis: apply low degree heat. Discontinue if not resolved.
2. Catheter embolism: secure catheter. Avoid pulling. Follow safe practices for catheter
removal.
3. Infection: Use aseptic technique. Keep dressing clean and dry. Intervene immediately
for any sign of infection.
What is TPN? What does it to? ** Answer** 1. Total Parental Nutrition
2. TPN is a hypertonic solution containing dextrose, proteins, electrolytes, trace
elements, and insulin. It is administered via central venous device (PICC, subclavian or
internal jugular vein)
What is the care and maintenance of TPN? ** Answer** 1. Before administering,
verify prescription and solution with another nurse.
2. Administer via infusion pump.
3. Monitor weight daily.
4. Monitor and record I&O, noting fluid balance.
5. Monitor serum glucose levels every 4 to 6 hr.
6. Monitor for signs of infection.
