Pharmacology and the Nursing Process
The fundamentals and critical abilities required for students to understand pharmacology and nursing are covered in the study guide for Pharmacology and the Nursing Process (9th edition). It covers topics such as the nursing process, setting quantifiable objectives, and using antibiotics to treat or prevent infections and sepsis. Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 9th Edition, one of the most well-liked nursing pharmacology textbooks, has hundreds of full-color pictures that clarify drug action in addition to updated pharmacological content and therapeutic uses. Additionally, it features integrated NCLEX preparation, considerate study methods, creative study tools, and instructor resources.
In order for nurses to deliver medications to patients safely, this module examines the science and practice of pharmacology as well as the concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The role of the nurse in the safe administration of pharmaceuticals as well as the moral and legal guidelines that govern their job are also covered in the course.
The book's opening chapter examines the function of nurses in patient care. This covers the duty of nurses to inform patients of prescription drugs, their side effects, and interactions. Key ideas are covered throughout the book, such as drug tolerance and threshold level, or the concentration of a drug at its lowest position in the body. Given that they may have an impact on the patient's condition and wellbeing, the side effects of any drug a nurse may prescribe should be understood by her.
A framework for nursing clinical practice is called the nursing process. It gives nurses a dependable framework for their actions, including problem-solving and instinctive methods. Nurses can estimate the cost of nursing care and assess the efficacy of their therapy with the aid of the nursing process.
- Using the Nursing Process to develop realistic and measurable goals
Setting goals that are both attainable and quantifiable is crucial in nursing practice. Goals ought to be measurable, client-centered, and patient-centered. Include criteria for assessing success and setting new goals while creating your goals. One method to achieve this is to use pharmacology and the nursing process to define goals.
The nursing process is a methodical strategy for resolving issues that directs nursing actions. It calls for the use of critical thinking and serves as the cornerstone of comprehensive, patient-centered care. The procedure aids nurses in the planning and assessment of their interventions. Nursing practice revolves around the nursing process, which nurses must gradually learn to apply.
It takes continual reflection and progress monitoring to create attainable goals using pharmacology and the nursing process. Making reasonable and reachable goals within the constraints of the available resources is another step in the process. Remember that there is no ideal way to set goals.
The nurse must decide when a goal will be accomplished after deciding on one. Open-ended goals are less likely to be achieved than time-based goals. A patient might aim to lose one pound per week, for instance. It may take weeks or months to complete this task, so it's critical to gauge and track development over time. On the other side, it can take years to complete an open-ended goal.
The next stage of the nursing process is implementation. The nurse executes the established plan during the implementation phase. A successful outcome for the patient depends on this phase. Nurses frequently need to reevaluate patients to make sure they're receiving the best treatment possible. A plan might need to be altered in light of the fresh information gathered.
Goals may be wise. A SMART objective is one that is time-bound, specified, measurable, and achievable. By dividing the goal into numerous steps, it aids the nurse in developing goals. Additionally, it enhances continuity of care, assures correct reimbursement, and enhances communication and documentation.
Contrarily, subjective data consists of hidden information, including thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and experiences. We must utilize alternative assessment techniques because it is impossible to measure these facts using our five senses. Listening to the patient is one method of evaluating subjective data.
- Non-pharmacological nursing interventions to manage pain
Non-pharmacological nursing treatments can help reduce the incidence of problems and enhance patient outcomes when used to manage acute pain. Although few studies have been done, it is crucial to analyze the usage of non-pharmacological therapies in ICUs in order to raise awareness within the healthcare system. In particular, assessing the obstacles to the application of these techniques might aid in the development of measures to enhance nursing care.
Education is a crucial component of non-pharmacological nursing interventions for pain management. Nurses must possess subject matter expertise and have faith in their patients' perception of their discomfort. They must spend the necessary time educating patients about pain relief techniques that don't include drugs.
There are a variety of non-pharmacological nursing interventions that can be used to treat uncomfortable symptoms, such as massage therapy and breathing exercises. These methods can be used in conjunction with a doctor's recommendations to control pain. It is crucial to remember that patients' preferences can have an impact on the effectiveness of therapies and their readiness to attempt them.
Pain can be categorized as complex, complexed, or acute. Chronic pain can start suddenly or develop gradually, and it can be challenging to diagnose. Chronic pain typically lasts longer than acute pain. The patient is more likely to be able to express her degree of pain to the nurse, despite the challenges of diagnosing and treating chronic pain.
Crying and sleeplessness are two behavioral indications of pain. Increased blood pressure, diaphoresis, and adrenal hormone release are examples of objective physiological symptoms. To gauge the level of discomfort, the nurse should keep an eye on these indicators. Patients might be reluctant to disclose discomfort, though. A nurse must therefore record a more thorough history of discomfort.
The patient's level of pain must be taken into account while designing nursing interventions for it. Assessing the pain's intensity as well as its duration and frequency is crucial. The nurse will be able to choose an appropriate pharmaceutical intervention with the help of specific information about the patient's pain.
- Antimicrobials used to prevent or treat infection
Drugs known as antimicrobials can either treat or prevent illnesses in a patient. Based on the sensitivity of the infecting organism as well as the potential toxicity of the medicine for the patient, antimicrobial drugs are chosen. It is important to isolate and identify the infectious agent before giving antibiotics. Tests for sensitivity and culture can be used to do this. Until the infecting organism is found, a broad-spectrum antibiotic may occasionally be used. The antibiotics may be altered or stopped altogether depending on the findings of the sensitivity tests and the clinician's clinical judgment.
An antibiotic called ciprofloxacin is used to treat illnesses brought on by gram-positive bacteria. It is effective in treating typhoid fever and skin infections by preventing vulnerable bacteria from producing proteins. But in certain patients, the medication can result in severe skin reactions and photosensitivity.
The stewardship of antibiotics is a crucial aspect of nursing care. It encourages the proper application of antibiotics, lessens side effects, and slows the spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among other organizations, have created the fundamental components of antimicrobial stewardship.
Antimicrobials are frequently administered in the nursing process for high-risk surgeries. Whether these medications are required will be decided by the surgical team. Infection-prone wounds may also require the prescription of antibiotics. These include wounds from soil or feces, as well as those brought on by bites from people or animals.
Penicillin, which continues to be the most widely used antibiotic, was the first antibacterial. Since then, antibacterial agents have been created that are both more potent and less harmful. Aminoglycosides function by preventing the creation of proteins and attaching to the ribosomes, which results in an incorrect reading of the genetic code and cell death. These medications work well for infections caused by bacteria in the respiratory system, lungs, and other parts of the body.
The use of antibiotics is essential in the battle against disease. Antimicrobial overuse and abuse must be prevented. This might impair people's health and lead to antibiotic resistance. This is particularly crucial in places with scarce resources.
- Antibiotics used to treat sepsis
The new sepsis recommendations are meant to assist nurses in selecting the best antibiotics in the most suitable circumstances. The UK Critical Care Nursing Alliance, which includes the Critical Care and Flight Nursing Forum of the Royal College of Nursing, supported the recommendations. Since some patients are not identified as having sepsis until they have already displayed symptoms and are in shock, it is crucial to select the right antibiotic based on the patient's situation.
Sepsis must be identified and treated as soon as possible because doing so increases the likelihood that the patient will recover. The likelihood of problems is also decreased with early therapy. Hospital intensive care units are set up to monitor sepsis patients and offer intensive care and close surveillance. Depending on how severe the sepsis is, it may be necessary to stabilize breathing and heart function using life-saving interventions such as anti-inflammatory drugs and a drip. Typically, broad-spectrum antibiotics are the initial line of defense. Then, based on the results of blood tests, certain antibiotics may be administered.
Sepsis may respond well to early goal-directed therapy. Recent research, however, has not revealed an appreciable survival advantage. In the first six hours of the patient's illness, most studies have shown an increase in central line installation, crystalloid administration, and packed red blood cell administration. Maintaining blood pressure is the most crucial element that affects survival, though.
Cellular harm and reduced tissue perfusion are two side effects of the inflammatory response. When the body experiences chronic hypoxia, it puts several organ systems at risk. For a nursing care plan to be successful, a correct diagnosis is essential. Early identification can prevent sepsis from escalating to more severe stages, such as septic shock.
Even though New York State's mortality rates have decreased as a result of the use of SEP-1, sepsis mortality is still greater than in most other states. More than half of hospitals have patient-to-nurse ratios that are higher than the minimum safe staffing requirements for hospitals, and hospital nurse staffing is still incredibly inconsistent.
Final Thought
The nursing process and pharmacology are both essential components of high-quality nursing care. The nursing process theory was created by Ida Jean Orlando to investigate the function of nursing care and the role of nurses in healthcare. The idea takes into account pain and all of its components, including both its physical and emotional as well as existential effects. Additionally, it considers how a patient's pain may impact his or her quality of life.