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Tag: Nursing

Explore our medication guides and pharmacology articles within this category.

What are the stages of extravasation injury?

4 min read
Extravasation injuries can progress from minor irritation to severe tissue necrosis in a matter of hours if left untreated. Understanding **what are the stages of extravasation injury** is critical for clinicians to ensure timely and appropriate management, minimizing the potential for permanent tissue damage.

What is the mechanism of action of heparin in nursing?

4 min read
Heparin is the most widely used antithrombotic and anticoagulant therapy today, a drug that has been in use for over a century due to its rapid and effective action. For nurses, understanding what is the mechanism of action of heparin in nursing is crucial for safe and effective administration, monitoring, and patient education. This involves comprehending its role within the complex coagulation cascade to inhibit clot formation.

What are the 5 plus 5 rights of medication administration?

5 min read
Medication errors impact over 7 million US patients every year, underscoring the critical need for safety protocols. To mitigate this risk, healthcare professionals rely on a comprehensive safety checklist known as **What are the 5 plus 5 rights of medication administration?**, an expanded framework built upon the foundational five rights of drug delivery.

Understanding What Are the 3 Checks and 5 Rights in Medication Administration

5 min read
According to a 1999 report by the Institute of Medicine, medication errors were a significant contributor to avoidable patient deaths, highlighting the critical importance of safety protocols in healthcare. Central to minimizing these risks are the foundational principles that define **what are the 3 checks and 5 rights?** in medication administration.

When Should When Required PRN Medications Be Administered? A Comprehensive Guide

4 min read
Up to 83.9% of patients in mental health settings receive PRN medications at least once, highlighting their prevalence in clinical practice. Understanding when and how to administer these 'as-needed' treatments is crucial for ensuring patient safety and providing effective, patient-centered care, directly addressing when should when required PRN medications be administered.

How do you deal with a patient refusing medication? A comprehensive guide for healthcare providers

4 min read
It is estimated that over half of medications prescribed for chronic diseases are not taken as directed, leading to potentially severe health consequences. Understanding **how do you deal with a patient refusing medication?** is a critical skill for all healthcare professionals, requiring a thoughtful, empathetic approach that balances patient autonomy with clinical responsibility.

Decoding Medical Shorthand: What is PRN Every 4 Hours?

4 min read
Globally, medication-related harm affects about 1 in 20 patients [1.9.1]. A key instruction to prevent this is understanding prescription shorthand. So, **what is PRN every 4 hours?** This common medical order means a medication should be taken 'as needed' for a specific symptom, but no more frequently than once every four hours [1.3.1, 1.3.5].

What is an example of a PRN order medication?

6 min read
Medication errors related to Pro Re Nata (PRN) orders are a notable risk in hospital settings, often due to a lack of clear documentation. Understanding what is an example of a PRN order medication is essential for both healthcare providers and patients to ensure safe and effective symptom management.