MEDICATION
DOSE AND ROUTE	CLASS	ACTION	PURPOSE	SIDE EFFECTS	NURSING IMPLICATION	
Percocet
Oxycodone-Acetaminophen 5/325 mg
Tablet 
1-2 tab prn 
	Opioid
Anal-gesic/ agonist	Binds to opiate receptors in the CNS and alter the response to painful stimuli while producing generalized CNS depression.	For pain >3/10 on pain scale.	Respiratory depression, confusion, sedation, constipation and urinary retention.	Max = 4000 mg/day.
Assess pre/post administration pain. Assess respirations. Monitor LOC and BM. Administer with food or milk for GI irritation.	
Ambien
Zolpidem tartratet tablet
10mg prn at bedtime
10mg=2 tab
	Sedativehypnotic	Produces CNS depression by binding to GABA receptors	Treatment of insomnia will help sedate and induce sleep.	Amnesia, daytime drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. 	Administer before bedtime, take safety measures such as raising side rails, assess mental status.	
Motrin
Ibuprofen tablet
600mg = 1 tab q6hours prn.	Non-opoid
Analgesic	Inhibits the synthesis of prostegland-ins	Treatment of abdominal cramping.	GI bleeding, hepatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, headache, constipations dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting.	Assess pain before and 1-2hr
After administration, 
Administer with food. Do not exceed 1200 mg/day.	
Mylicon Chew
Simethicone chew 80 mg = 1 tablet before meals and at bedtime prn.	Antiflat-ulent	Causes the coalescence
Of gas bubbles without preventing gas formation. 	Relief of gas discomfort.	None significant.	Take before meals and at bedtime and instruct patient to chewed completely for better results. Assess for abdominal pain bowel sounds and frequency of flatulence or belching. 	
Tylenol
Acetamino-phen 625 mg = 2x 325mg tab  q3hours for pain.	Nonopioid
Analgesic
Anti-pyretic	Inhibits the synthesis of prostegland-ins.	Relief of mild pain.	Hepatic failure, hepatotoxicity with overdose,  rash, urticaria.	Do not exceed 4g/day . Assess pain location, type and intensity before and 30-60 minutes after administration. 	
Morphine 
Morphine sulfate IVP 2-4mg	Opioid analgesic	Alters the perception and response to painful stimuli while producing generalized CNS depression by binding to opiate receptors in the CNS. 	Pre and post cesarean delivery pain. 	Respiratory depression confusion, sedation, hypotension, constipation, bradycardia, itching. 	Have a second practitioner check dose before administration, administer over 2-4 minutes to avoid excessive sedation, respiratory depression or hypotension, Assess LOC, respiration rate BP and pulse periodically. For respiration <10/minute administer Narcan.  	
Trandate, Normodyne
Labetalol HCL tablet 1200 mg =1 tablet bid.
	Beta blockers, antihyper-tensives.	Blocks the stimulation of beta-1 and beta-2, and alpha-1 adrenergic receptor sites.	Management of hypertension. 	Arrhythmias, bradycardia, chf, pulmonary edema, orthostatic hypotension, fatigue, weakness, mental status changes.	Monitor I&O ratios and daily weight assess patient for signs of fluid overload. Administer with meals to enhance absorptions, take apical pulse before administration withhold and notify physician if <50 bpm. Monitor BP and pulse frequently, assess patient for orthostatic hypotension when changing positions.	
Lactated Ringers IV 125ml/hr
1 bag =1000ml.
	Isotonic solution	Used intra-
venously to replace electrolytes.	Fluid replacement for loss during delivery.	N/A	Measure Intake and output.	
Nubain
Nalbuphine HCL 10mg/1ml Injection 
IM prn q 4 hours. 	Opioid analgesic	Binds to opiate receptors in the CNS and alters the perception to painful stimuli while producing generalized CNS depression. 	Analgesia during labor. 	Dizziness, headache, sedation, confusion, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, clammy feeling, sweating. 	Have a second practitioner check dosage, administer into deep well developed muscle, rotate injection sites, administer slower 3-5min/10mg. Assess pain before and 30 minutes after administration, Assess LOC respirations, BP and pulse, if respiratory rate is <10 check sedation and administer Narcan. 	
Narcan
Naloxone HCL ampoule injection prn 0.4mg/1ml
	Opioid antago-nist	Competitiv-ely blocks the effects of opioids including 
CNS and respiratory depression without producing any agonist effects.	Reversal of CNS depression and respiratory depression v=because of suspected opioid overdose. 	Hypertension, hypotension, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, nausea, vomiting.	Administer over 15 seconds. Monitor respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth, pulse, ECG, BP, and LOC frequently for 3-4 hours. Assess pain (it reverses analgesia).	
Dulcolax 
Bisacodyl Suppository 1 x 10mg rectally prn.	Stimulant laxative	Stimulates peristalsis and alters fluid and electrolyte transport, producing fluid accunmula-tion in the colon. 	Treatment of constipation. 	Abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, rectal burning.	Assess patient for abdominal distention, bowel sounds and usual pattern of bowel function, assess color, consistency, and amount of stool.	
Milk of Magnesia
Magnesium hydroxide
10 mL once daily	Salines/
 laxatives.	Magnesium salts are osmotically active in the GI tract by drawing water into the GI tract and causing peristalsis. 	Treatment of constipation.	Diarrhea flushing, sweating.	Assess patient for abdominal distention, bowel sounds and usual pattern of bowel function, assess color, consistency, and amount of stool.	
Procardia
Nefedipine
20 mg q8hours
20mg=2 tab	Calcium channel blockers. 	Inhibits calcium transport into myocardial and vascular smooth muscle cells resulting in inhibition of excitation contraction coupling.	Management of hypertension.	Arrhythmias, chf, Steven Johnson’s syndrome, peripheral edema, flushing, gingival hyperplasia, peripheral edema, headache, blurred vision, anxiety, confusion. 	Monitor BP and pulse before therapy, monitor I&O and daily weight, Assess for signs of CHF. Avoid administration with grapefruit juice, administer without regards to meals.	
Triamterene/HCTZ 
37.5/25 po daily prn	Potass-ium sparing diuretic	Causes loss of sodium bicarbonate and calcium while saving potassium and hydrogen ions. 	Treatment of hypertension and edema. 	Hyperkalemia, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache, constipation, 	Monitor I&O ratios and daily weight during therapy, monitor BP and signs of hypokalemia and hyperkalemia, monitor serum potassium levels. 	
Phenergan
Promethazine HCL inj 12.5/0.5mL prn q4hours 	Phenothi-azines/
Anti-
emetics	Has an inhibitory effect on the chemoreceptor trigger zone in the medulla resulting in anti-emetic properties.	Treatment of nausea.	Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, confusion, disorientation, sedation, blurred vision, brady/tachy-cardia	Assess nausea and vomiting before and after administration, administer with water, milk or food to minimize GI irritation, supervise ambulation, monitor BP, respirations, pulse, and sedation.	

Drug information from: Deglin, Judith, Vallerand, April (2006). Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses (Version 9.43) [Computer software]. Skyscape: FA Davis Co.