Drug history

When obtaining the drug history, the nurse must always question the patient about the use of herbs, teas, vitamins, or other nutritional or dietary supplements. Many patients consider herbs as natural and therefore safe It is also difficult for some to report the use of an herbal tea as a part of the health care regimen. Display 1-4 identifies teaching points to consider when discussing the use of herbs and nutritional supplements with patients. Although a complete discussion about the use of herbs is beyond the scope of this book, it is important to remember that the use of herbs and nutritional supplements is commonplace in many areas of the country. To help the student become more aware of herbal therapy and nutritional supplements, Appendix B gives... 

When taking the drug history of Mr. Woods, a patient in the outpatient clinic, you note that he has been taking... 

During the preadministration assessment, the nurse obtains a complete drug history. In addition, the nurse... 

The primary health care provider has prescribed cime-tidine for the treatment of a duodenal ulcer in Mr. Talley, who is 68 years old. A drug history by the nurse reveals that Mr. Talley is also taking the following drugs Lanoxin 0.5 mg orally each day and a daily aspirin tablet. Analyze this situation. Discuss what you would tell Mr. Talley. 

The factors that correlate with treatment success do not clearly apply to success after detoxification from methadone maintenance. Correlates of successful detoxification include 1) less criminal behavior 2) more stable family 3) more stable employment 4) shorter drug history 5) long maintenance with lower dosage and 6) discharge status, with patient and staff consensus as opposed to unilateral discharge from treatment (Dole and Joseph 1978). In one study, addicts were followed an average of 2 years after detoxification (Stim-mel et al. 1977). Although only 28% of the total sample remained abstinent, 83% of those who had fully completed treatment remained abstinent. Another study of 105 patients detoxified after methadone maintenance treatment documented an 82% relapse rate within 12 months (Ball and Ross 1991). These... 

The third protocol is to determine the level of drug use and calculate equivalent doses of phenobarbital (Table 3-5). The patient is stabilized on this dose (divided into administration every 8 hours) for a few days, and then the dose is tapered by 10% daily. Although this method has its proponents, the determination of equivalency is an approximation, drug histories are unreliable, and mixed sedative-hypnotic dependence will complicate the procedure. 

Obtain a thorough and accurate drug history, including the use of non-prescription drugs such as NSAIDs. 

Before administering any medication, take a thorough drug history to establish any past allergic or adverse reactions experienced by the patient. 

Soar K, Turner JJD and Parrott AC (2001). Psychiatric disorders in recreational Ecstasy (MDMA) users A literature review focusing upon personal predisposition factors and drug histories. Human Psychopharmacology, 16, 641-645. 

Perrine, Daniel M. The Chemistry of Mind-Altering Drugs History, Pharmacology, and Cultural Context. Washington, DC American Chemical Society, 1996. 

Evaluation of the anxious patient requires a complete physical and mental status examination appropriate laboratory tests and a medical, psychiatric, and drug history. 

Laboratory medicine of the future will require that submitted specimens be accompanied by the drug history of the patient to permit... 

Contraindications include baseline prolongation of the QT interval, use of other QT-prolonging drugs history of torsades de pointes a creatinine clearance of less than 20 mL/minute simultaneous use of verapamil, cimetidine, or ketoconazole uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia and pregnancy or breast-feeding. 

Patients problem Try to find an explanation for the patients problem. Take a detailed history of the illness and the drug history of the patient. 

Finally, a good personal drug history often reveals that iatrogenic polypharmacy contributes to ill health, both physical and psychiatric, in elderly patients. Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Issues... 

As well as getting to know the drug history and injecting habits of our clients, we need to talk to them about their sexual activities, and educate them about the need for safer sex. 

Take a careful drug history. The disease to be treated may be drug-induced, or drugs being taken may lead to interactions with drugs to be prescribed. 

Had they been wounded by a landmine blast in Southeast Asia instead of by a disadvantaged knifer on Lynch Field in Brookline, a medic would probably have given these three kids morphine for pain relief. The amount of morphine needed would have varied according to several factors, including their emotional state, the severity of their wounds, the meaning of their wounds, and their drug histories. 

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