Drug indications refer to the basis for initiation of treatment for a test or a diagnostic test. Contraindications are any special symptom that renders the remedy inadvisable. Nursing considerations refer to the specific needs that should be considered. Below are some of the drugs with their indications, contraindications, and the nursing considerations that should be noted.
Altace
- Indications – hypertension to lower blood pressure, reduce risk of major cardiovascular attacks in patients 55 years and older, stable patients with signs of congestive heart failure post myocardial infarction.
- Contraindications include patients with ACE inhibitor hypersensitivity, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and renal impairment.
- Nursing considerations – can cause symptomatic hypotension.
Potassium
- Indications – hypokalemia.
- Contraindications – hyperkalemia, renal impairment, systemic acidosis, dehydration.
- Nursing considerations – evaluate renal, cardiac, and fluid status before administration.
Pantoprazole
- Indications – short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis and managing healing process, treating Zollinger-Ellison syndrome long-term treatment.
- Contraindications – hypersensitivity, patients receiving rilpivirine-containing drugs, interstitial nephritis, infective diarrhea, inadequate vitamin B12.
- Nursing considerations – avoid alcohol while using the drug.
Furosemide
- Indications – hypertension, heart failure, peripheral edema, and hypercalcemia that are caused by neoplastic disease.
- Contraindications – hypersensitivity, acid-base imbalance diarrhea, diarrhea, ventricular arrhythmias, acute myocardial infarction.
- Nursing considerations – asses fluid states and monitor blood pressure before administration.
Digoxin
- Indications – mild to moderate heart failure, increased myocardial contraction, used in the control of ventricular rate in chronic atrial fibrillation.
- Contraindications – hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, wolf-Parkinson-white syndrome, myocarditis.
- Nursing considerations – monitor blood pressure periodically in intravenous patients.
Levothyroxine
- Indications – hypothyroidism, myxedema coma, hormonal replacement therapy, management of thyroid cancer in cancer patients.
- Contraindications – hypersensitivity, untreated adrenal insufficiency, hypopituitarism, diabetic patients’ cardiac diseases, obesity treatment.
- Nursing considerations – take the drug on an empty stomach.
Trazadone
- Indications – major depression, insomnia, panic attacks disorder, anxiety disorder, maintaining treatment of alcohol dependence.
- Contraindications – patients with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone, hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, suicidal thoughts, and increased risk of bleeding.
- Nursing considerations – monitor pulse rate in case of preexisting cardiac disease.
Crestor
- Indications – hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, atherosclerosis, homogenous familial hyperlipoproteinemia.
- Contraindications – untreated hypothyroidism, alcoholism, liver failure, rhabdomyolysis, dehydration.
- Nursing considerations – don’t use the drug on lactating mothers.
Ondansetron
- Indications – prevent nausea, and vomiting that is caused due to chemotherapy and radiation.
- Contraindications – hypersensitivity, patients receiving apomorphine since it can cause hypotension and unconsciousness.
- Nursing considerations – monitor decrease in bowel activity.
TUMS (calcium carbonate)
- Indications – heartburn, stomach upset, indigestion.
- Contraindications – sarcoidosis, hypercalcemia, constipation, kidney impairment, dehydration.
- Nursing considerations – may cause cardiac arrest, and prevent imbalances.
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