6 Adverse Drug Reaction Nursing Practice Free Online FlashCards

What should guide the initial assessment of a suspected medication reaction?

Assess the patient first: prioritize airway, breathing, circulation, level of consciousness, vital signs, and how symptoms are changing.

What is the priority treatment for suspected anaphylaxis during an infusion?

Stop the infusion and activate the emergency response. Treat as suspected anaphylaxis, support airway and breathing, and give intramuscular epinephrine promptly under the applicable emergency protocol or order.

Which opioid-related finding signals possible life-threatening toxicity?

A respiratory rate of 7 per minute with difficulty awakening suggests potentially life-threatening opioid toxicity, not routine drowsiness.

Which combination of findings may indicate lithium toxicity?

Vomiting and diarrhea followed by coarse tremor, slurred speech, unsteady gait, or new confusion can indicate lithium toxicity.

Why is ibuprofen use important to assess in a patient taking warfarin?

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can interact with warfarin and increase bleeding risk.

What should be done before giving a drug linked to a prior serious immediate allergy?

Do not administer the dose. Verify the prior reaction and promptly contact the prescriber and pharmacist to clarify the order and identify a safe alternative.

How should mild nausea after starting a medication be assessed?

Assess when the nausea began, its severity, intake, hydration, other medications, and medication instructions. Mild nausea may be a nonallergic adverse effect; do not advise changing how the medication is taken unless labeling or the prescriber supports it.

What information belongs in documentation of a suspected adverse drug reaction?

Document the suspected medication, dose, route, and time; symptom timeline; objective findings and vital signs; relevant allergies, medications, and labs; notifications; interventions; and the patient's response and disposition.

What is the general response to a suspected serious medication reaction?

For a suspected serious reaction, stop the suspected medication when safe, summon emergency help, and begin applicable emergency measures and facility protocols.

What details matter when escalating a suspected infusion-related anaphylactic reaction?

Report the medication, dose and infusion timing, allergy history, symptom onset and progression, vital signs, interventions, and the patient's response.

What is the priority response to possible bleeding in a patient taking warfarin?

Black, tarry stools and light-headedness may indicate significant bleeding. Assess vital signs and escalate promptly; do not independently change or reverse anticoagulation.

Which changes after starting a medication require urgent evaluation?

New breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, collapse, severe or rapidly spreading rash, blistering, or skin peeling requires urgent evaluation.