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Nursing student with Central Nervous System Question
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Posted over 2 years ago New Nurse-When administering medications which affect the Central Nervous System, what should I assess f0r? I think it would be peripheral pulses or respiratory rate? Please advise. thanks |
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313 posts back to top |
| Posted almost 2 years ago Dear Cheddarcheese, You're giving a med that will affect the brain and spinal cord, so you would assess respirations, heart rate and pulse. Any impairment in speech or motor function could indicate a problem with the drug, too. Always proceed from head to toe with you initial assessment after administering any meds. |
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| Posted almost 2 years ago The head-to-toe assessment really covers what is needed, because if you have a change that is physiologic, psychologic, neurologic, behavioral/affect of the patient; if you didn't know what it looked like before you gave the drug, how are you going to know if anything changed? Tom, PhD, MPH, BS(N), RN-C, CHN |
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| Posted almost 2 years ago touche' |
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| Posted almost 2 years ago " Pupils check, apical rate, respiratory/SPO2 and BP readings.Weight -bearing status,assessing Ataxic Gait. Any slurred speech? Also, it helps to check w/Pharmacy for cross-referencing meds among patient's profile,to r/o negative interactions and effects on the therapeutic levels,ie.Kepra,Dilantin, Phenobarbital,Lithium.Good luck to you."
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| Posted almost 2 years ago Good post ninelives..Teresa |

