From the Guidelines
The most commonly used pharmaceuticals in nursing practice include acetaminophen (650-1000mg every 4-6 hours) for pain and fever management, opioids for moderate to severe pain, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as diclofenac, for pain management 1.
Key Medications
- Acetaminophen: effective in traumatic pain relief, with regular intravenous administration every 6 hours, unless contraindicated 1
- Opioids: cornerstone in the management of trauma patients, particularly for moderate to severe pain, but associated with serious cardiovascular events and respiratory failure 1
- NSAIDs: used with caution in elderly patients due to potential adverse events, such as acute kidney injury and gastrointestinal complications 1
Clinical Considerations
- Medication selection should focus on those with the least negative effects on hemodynamic status, particularly in trauma patients 1
- Regular monitoring and assessment of patient response to medication is crucial to ensure effective pain management and minimize adverse effects 1
- Consideration of individual patient needs, including age, comorbidities, and potential drug interactions, is essential in tailoring medication regimens 1
From the Research
Commonly Used Pharmaceuticals in Nursing
- Aspirin and acetaminophen are two commonly used medications for treating headaches, as shown in a study comparing their effects on moderately severe headache 2
- These medications are often used in nursing to relieve pain and reduce headache intensity
- The choice between aspirin and acetaminophen may depend on individual patient suitability and cost factors 2
Treatment of Tension-Type Headache
- Manual therapy techniques, such as physical therapy, are also used to treat tension-type headache, and have been shown to be effective in improving symptoms and quality of life 3
- However, the use of pharmaceuticals like aspirin and acetaminophen is still prevalent in nursing practice for treating headaches
- There is limited evidence to suggest that other pharmaceuticals are more effective than aspirin and acetaminophen for treating common nursing-related conditions, such as headache 2, 3