PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW FOR LPN'S
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Taking high doses of over-the-counter acetaminophen could lead to severe liver
damage.
While the drug is safe for use as stated on the label, avoid misusing or taking several
drugs that contain this ingredient.
DO not take more than 4,000mg a day OR more than eight 500mg pills) and do not
take for longer than 10 consecutive days.
Acetaminophen Antidote
After stomach is emptied Mucomyst
(N-Acetylcysteine) is given:
Loading dose 140mg per kg. Of body weight
Maintainance dose: 70mg per kg. Of body weight every 4 hours up to 17 doses
Now available in injectable form (Acetadote)
Acetadote is most effective if given within 8-10 hours of ingestion
PAIN
PAIN ASSESMENT - ANSWER-Key Points about Pain Assessment
To treat any person's pain, it must first be identified and then documented for others
to see.
Adequacy of pain management is directly related to the frequency of assessment.
JACHO ( remember what JACHO is ?)standards state that pain assessments be
done on all patients.(This is required!!!!)
Why Pain Standards are Needed?
Pain is under treated
Pain has potential harmful effects
Inhibits the immune system
Can enhance tumor growth
Causes increased oxygen demand
Causes respiratory dysfunction
Causes decreased gastric motility
Confusion
JCAHO Pain Standards
Recognize the right of patients to appropriate assessment and management of their
pain.
Assess pain in all the patients.
, Record the results of the assessment in a way that facilitates regular reassessment
and follow up.
Educate relevant providers in pain assessment and management.
Determine competency in pain assessment and management during the orientation
of all new clinical staff.
JCAHO Pain Standards
Establish policies and procedures that support appropriate prescription or ordering
pain medication.
Ensure that pain does not interfere with participation in rehabilitation.
Educate patient and their families about the importance of effective pain
management.
Include patients' needs for symptom management in the discharge planning process.
Collect data to monitor the appropriateness and effectiveness of pain management.
Operational Definition of Pain
"Pain is whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever he says it
does."
BELIEVE THE PATIENT!
Ref: McCaffery and Pasero: Pain: Clinical Manual, 1999).
VAS in Assessing Pain
VAS means visual analog scale
We use these so patients can tell us what level of pain they are experiencing
The most popular is the number scale from 1-10.
Look at the next slides to see example
NSAID
NSAID SIDE EFFECTS - ANSWER-Adverse Effects:
GI-nausea,vomiting,dyspepsia,diarrhea,GI bleeding
Headache,tinnitus,drowsiness,weakness,depression
Fluid retention,palpitations
Hematuria,proteinuria
blurred vision
hepatic damage
NARCOTIC
NARCOTIC CONTRAINDICTIONS - ANSWER-Contraindications to
Narcotics/Opioids
Increased intracranial pressure
Pregnancy
Pulmonary disease
Cirrhosis
Hypothyroidism
CNS depressants
DILANTIN
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Taking high doses of over-the-counter acetaminophen could lead to severe liver
damage.
While the drug is safe for use as stated on the label, avoid misusing or taking several
drugs that contain this ingredient.
DO not take more than 4,000mg a day OR more than eight 500mg pills) and do not
take for longer than 10 consecutive days.
Acetaminophen Antidote
After stomach is emptied Mucomyst
(N-Acetylcysteine) is given:
Loading dose 140mg per kg. Of body weight
Maintainance dose: 70mg per kg. Of body weight every 4 hours up to 17 doses
Now available in injectable form (Acetadote)
Acetadote is most effective if given within 8-10 hours of ingestion
PAIN
PAIN ASSESMENT - ANSWER-Key Points about Pain Assessment
To treat any person's pain, it must first be identified and then documented for others
to see.
Adequacy of pain management is directly related to the frequency of assessment.
JACHO ( remember what JACHO is ?)standards state that pain assessments be
done on all patients.(This is required!!!!)
Why Pain Standards are Needed?
Pain is under treated
Pain has potential harmful effects
Inhibits the immune system
Can enhance tumor growth
Causes increased oxygen demand
Causes respiratory dysfunction
Causes decreased gastric motility
Confusion
JCAHO Pain Standards
Recognize the right of patients to appropriate assessment and management of their
pain.
Assess pain in all the patients.
, Record the results of the assessment in a way that facilitates regular reassessment
and follow up.
Educate relevant providers in pain assessment and management.
Determine competency in pain assessment and management during the orientation
of all new clinical staff.
JCAHO Pain Standards
Establish policies and procedures that support appropriate prescription or ordering
pain medication.
Ensure that pain does not interfere with participation in rehabilitation.
Educate patient and their families about the importance of effective pain
management.
Include patients' needs for symptom management in the discharge planning process.
Collect data to monitor the appropriateness and effectiveness of pain management.
Operational Definition of Pain
"Pain is whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever he says it
does."
BELIEVE THE PATIENT!
Ref: McCaffery and Pasero: Pain: Clinical Manual, 1999).
VAS in Assessing Pain
VAS means visual analog scale
We use these so patients can tell us what level of pain they are experiencing
The most popular is the number scale from 1-10.
Look at the next slides to see example
NSAID
NSAID SIDE EFFECTS - ANSWER-Adverse Effects:
GI-nausea,vomiting,dyspepsia,diarrhea,GI bleeding
Headache,tinnitus,drowsiness,weakness,depression
Fluid retention,palpitations
Hematuria,proteinuria
blurred vision
hepatic damage
NARCOTIC
NARCOTIC CONTRAINDICTIONS - ANSWER-Contraindications to
Narcotics/Opioids
Increased intracranial pressure
Pregnancy
Pulmonary disease
Cirrhosis
Hypothyroidism
CNS depressants
DILANTIN
