skin care
Medications
SN instructed patient / caregiver on the medication Oxybutynin. This medication is used to treat overactive bladder a condition in which the bladder muscles contract uncontrollably ( spasms ) and cause frequent urination, an urgent need to urinate, and / or the inability to control urination. Oxybutynin is in a class of medications called anticholinergics. It works by relaxing the bladder muscles. Possible side effects included: Dry mouth or eyes ( less common - dry nose or skin ), dizziness and / or drowsiness, mild constipation, upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, blurred vision or ( eye ) sensitivity to light. Patient / caregiver verbalized understanding.
SN instructed patient / caregiver on Zofran - ondansetron. This medication blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that can trigger nausea and vomiting. Zofran is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by surgery, cancer chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. Serious side effects include blurred vision or temporary vision loss ( lasting from only a few minutes to several hours ), slow heart rate, trouble breathing, anxiety, agitation, shivering, feeling like you might pass out, and urinating less than usual or not at all. Stop taking Zofran and call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects. Ondansetron may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Zofran side effects get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zofran: rash, hives, fever, chills, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe constipation, stomach pain, or bloating, headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats, fast or pounding heartbeats, jaundice ( yellowing of the skin or eyes ); blurred vision or temporary vision loss ( lasting from only a few minutes to several hours ); high levels of serotonin in the body - agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting. Patient / caregiver verbalized understanding. Instruct to call agency for questions or concerns.
Patient and CG instructed on Pravastatin. Pravastatin is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood. Pravastatin is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with or without coronary heart disease or other risk factors. Pravastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to pravastatin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. In rare cases, pravastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Stop using and call your doctor at once if you have:unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; fever, unusual tiredness; dark colored urine; chest pain; upper stomach pain, loss of appetite; or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Common pravastatin side effects may include: muscle or joint pain; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; headache; or cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
SN instructed patient about the drug lisinopril is a drug of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor class used primarily in treatment of hypertension ACE is important because it is an enzyme responsible for producing the chemical, angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes muscles in most arteries, including the arteries of the heart, to contract, thereby narrowing the arteries and elevating blood pressure. ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril lower blood pressure by reducing the production of angiotensin II, thereby relaxing arterial muscle and enlarging arteries. When the blood pressure is lower, the heart - including the failing heart - does not have to work as hard to pump blood. The arteries supplying the heart with blood also enlarge during treatment with ACE inhibitors. This increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart, further improving the ability of the heart to pump bloodSide effects include: dizziness due to a drop in blood pressure, trouble breathing, blistering, peeling, red skin rash, confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, trouble breathing, numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips, dark urine or pale stools. Pt verbalized understanding.
SN instructed patient and caregiver on SIMVASTATIN. Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medicine. It inhibits the production of cholesterol by the liver. High blood cholesterol is first treated with exercise, weight loss, and a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats. When these measures fail, cholesterol-lowering medications such as Simvastatin can be added. Simvastatin is generally well-tolerated and side effects are rare. Minor side effects of Simvastatin include constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, gas, heartburn, and headache. Major side effects of Simvastatin include abdominal pain or cramps, blurred vision, dizziness, easy bruising or bleeding, itching, muscle pain or cramps, rash, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.
SN instructed to keep oxygen away from any open flame to include smoking and also in home pilot lights such as stove, furnace and water heater. Oxygen produced from concentrator and oxygen tanks is flammable. Do not use vaseline or petroleum based, products as these can cause irritation and skin complications. Avoid using aerosol sprays. Post no smoking/no Open Flame signs. Use caution with oxygen tubing so you do not trip over it or become entangled in furniture. Do not try to repair broken equipment on your own. Request this service from the oxygen provider. Notify the local fire department, gas and electric companies and telephone company when home oxygen therapy is started. Request a "priority service listing". This is for those times when there is a power or telephone failure or repairs are needed on any utility.
SN educated patient and caregiver about Lidocaine patches. After you are finished using a patch, remove it and dispose of it and keep it out of reach of children and pets. Lidocaine patches may cause side effects like burning or discomfort in the place you applied the patch, redness or swelling of the skin under the patch. If any of these symptoms occur, remove your patch and do not put it back on until the symptoms go away. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Instructed in new medication Aricept to manage moderate dementia of the Alzheimer type. In addition, warned of possible S/E such as headache, insomnia, dizziness, fatigue, depression, abnormal dreams, somnolence, seizures, tremor, irritability, paresthesia, aggression, vertigo, ataxia, restlessness, abnormal crying, nervousness, aphasia, syncope, pain, chest pain, hypertension, vasodilation, atrial fibrillation, hot flashes, hypotension, cataract, blurred vision, eye irritation, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, fecal incontinence, GI bleeding, bloating, epigastric pain, frequent urination, ecchymosis, weight loss, dehydration, muscle cramps, arthritis, toothache, bone fracture, dyspnea, bronchitis, pruritus, urticaria, diaphoresis, influenza, and increased libido. The drug does not alter the underlying degenerative disease but can temporarily stabilize or relieve symptoms. Effective therapy depends on taking drug at regular intervals. Instructed to take drug in the evening, just before bedtime. Immediately report significant adverse effects or changes in overall health status. Inform health care team that patient is taking drug before he receives anesthesia. Avoid OTC cold or sleep remedies because of the potential for increased anticholinergic effects.
Taught that, when taking Levothyroxine, if more than 2-3 doses are missed, physician and/or other health care provider should be notified about it.
Taught that, when taking Levothyroxine, dose should be withheld and physician or other health care provider notified if resting pulse is over 100 beats per minute.