NURS 1566 Clinical Form 3: Clinical Medications Worksheets

Generic Trade Classification Dose Route Time/frequency

Name Name Anesthetic 0.25mg- IVP Q 8 hr
Lorazepam Ativan adjuncts 0.13 mL
Antianxiety agent
Sedative/hypnotics
Peak Onset Duration Normal dosage range
15-20 min 15-30 min 8-12hr Up to 2 mg q 4 hr prn anxiety/sedation
Rate of administration:
Administer direct IV, through Y-site at rate of 2 mg over 1
min, or 0.05 mg/kg over 2-5 min. Rapid IV administration
may result in apnea, hypotension, bradycardia, or cardiac
arrest.
Why is your patient getting this medication For IV meds, compatibility with IV drips and/or solutions
Treatment of anxiety. Help with sedation Sterile water, D5W, or 0.9% NaCl for injection.

Mechanism of action and indications Nursing Implications (what to focus on)

Depresses the CNS, probably by potentiating GABA,
an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Therapeutic Effects:
Sedation. Decreases anxiety. Decreased Seizures
Interactions with other patient drugs, OTC or herbal
medicines (ask patient specifically)
Other CNS depressants.
Nursing Process- Assessment Assessment
(Pre-administration assessment) Why would you hold or not give this
Assess degree and manifestations of med?
anxiety. Assess for physical and Bradycardia
psychological dependence. Assess vital
signs.
Hypersensitivity. Cross sensitivity with other
benzodiazepines may exist. Comatose patients or those
with pre-existing CNS depression. Uncontrolled sever
pain. Narrow-angle glaucoma. Sever hypotension. USE
CAUTIOUSLY IN: Sever hepatic/renal/pulmonary
impairment. Lower doses recommended for geriatric or
debilitated patients
Common side effects
CNS: dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, hangover headache,
mental depression, paradoxical excitation. EENT: blurred
vision. RESP: respiratory depression. CV: Rapid IV use
only—apnea, cardiac arrest; bradycardia, hypotension.
GI: constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. DERM:
rashes. MISC: Physical dependence, psychological
dependence, tolerance.
Lab value alterations caused by medicine
Patients on high-dose therapy should receive routine
evaluation of renal, hepatic, and hematologic function
Be sure to teach the patient the following about this
medication
Abrupt withdrawal may cause tremors, nausea, vomiting,
and abdominal cramps. May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Increases risk for falls.
Evaluation
Check after giving
Improvement in sleep
patterns.