🚨 High-Yield Medication Warnings
- Opioids → Major risk = respiratory depression.
- Antidepressants → Higher risk of suicidal thoughts/behavior in first weeks of therapy.
- Grapefruit juice → 🚫 “We hate G” → increases toxicity (slows metabolism of many drugs).
⚖️ Ethical & Legal Principles
- Ethical dilemma → First provide education, then involve social worker / interdisciplinary team.
- Herbal supplements → ❌ Avoid in kids & pregnant women (not enough evidence on safety).
- Nurse’s role in drug research → Advocate for patient, explain risks, procedures, rights.
- Right to refuse = patient’s autonomy must be respected.
🛡️ Medication Safety
- Do NOT crush medications → Call provider/pharmacy for alternate route.
- Look-alike / sound-alike meds → Verify with DOB + patient number (2 identifiers).
- FDA pregnancy risk categories:
- C, D, X → higher fetal risk → weigh risks/benefits carefully.
- Insulin conversion:
- 100 units = 1 mL (standard U-100 insulin).