INDEX                                         NURS 2236 Clinical Form 3: Clinical Medications Worksheet
(You will need to made additional copies of these forms)
Generic               Trade                   Classification        Dose            Route        Time/Frequency
Name                  Name                    Anesthetic adjuncts 44mcg             IV           15-20 min before surgery
lorazepam             Ativan                  antianxiety agents 1-3mg              PO           2-3 times daily
                                              sedative/hypnotics 2-4mg              PO           at bedtime
Peak                      Onset                  Duration              For IV meds, compatability with IV drips and/or solutions
PO 1-6 hr                 15-60 min              8-12 hr
IV 15-20 min              15-30 min              8-12 hr
Why is your patient taking this medication?
Mechanism of action and indications                                    Nursing Implications (what to focus on)
Adjunct management of anxiety or insomnia. Preoperative                Contraindications/warnings/interactions
sedation. Decreases preoperative anxiety and provides                  Comatose patients, pre-exisiting CNS depression. Uncontrolled severe
amnesia                                                                pain. Narrow-angle glaucoma, severe hypotension, pregnancy
                                                                       Use cautiously: Severe hepatic/renal/pulmonary impairment. Myasthenia
                                                                       gravis. History of suicide attempt or drug abuse
Depresses the CNS, probably by potentiating GABA, an                   Common side effects
inhibitory neurotransmitter                                            Dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, hangover headache, mental depression,
                                                                       blurred vision, respiratory depression, constipation
                                                                       diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, apena, cardiac arrest, bradycardia
                                                                       hypotension, rashes
Interactions with other patient drugs, OTC, or herbal                  Lab value alterations caused by medicine
medicines (ask patient specifically)
Additive CNS depression with other CNS depressants
including alcohol, antihistamines, antidepressants, opioid
analygesics, and other sedative/hypnotics                              Be sure to teach the patient the following about this medication
                                                                       Take medication exactly as directed, avoid driving, taking alcohol,
                                                                       or other CNS depressants, follow-up exams
Nursing Process - Assessment                             Assessment                                         Evaluation
(Pre-administration assessment                           Why would you hold or not give                     Check after giving
Anxiety, Status Epilepticus                              this med?                                          Increase in sense of well-being
Vital Signs                                              Apena, cardiac arrest                              Reduction of preoperative anxiety
                                                                                                            Postoperative amnesia
                                                                                                            Improvement of sleep patterns