Common medications that has parameters?and should watch out for

I'm a new nurse and I'm so paranoid in giving medications. What are common medications and important meds that has parameters before giving to the patient? Ex. Lasix I was told to check BP first and not give it if its > below the normal BP
Cardiac drugs.. metoprolol, coreg, digoxin, atenolol, verapamil, etc... usually have parameters where you check the B/P or pulse.I know digoxin you always check the HR, for the B/P meds in LTC sometimes there are no parameters and thats where you use your judgement whether to give the med or check their blood pressure and hold the med and call the MD.

Dont forget insulin!Had a nurse the other night try to give 25 units of Regular when the pt was 42....

Quote from That GuyDont forget insulin!Had a nurse the other night try to give 25 units of Regular when the pt was 42....

Quote from That GuyDont forget insulin!Had a nurse the other night try to give 25 units of Regular when the pt was 42....

didn't you study pharmacology in school? are you an rn? what's your background in medications?

Medication parameters should be written by the physician. For example, I have see lopressor written with parameter for hold for HR<50 to hold for HR<65 (i.e. there is no one overriding "hold" number). Now, if parameters are not given and the pt has a HR of, say 52, I will contact the doctor before that dose. Same with BP meds. I had a pt who had severe orthostatic hypotension, so he was not to get any of his BP meds if SBP was <140. On the other hand, I've seen meds that only get held if SBP<90. Point is, parameter needs to be written and, if no parameter, the med should only be held if an order from the physician is obtained.

Respiratory rate/SpO2 with narcoticsCheck K/Mg/Phos/Ca levels before giving electrolyte replacements

You need to look up EVERY medication prior to giving it to a patient. Are you in nursing school yet? This is medication 101. If not in school, they will teach you this. If you are in school, and they didn't teach you this, YIKES!

Quote from That GuyDont forget insulin!Had a nurse the other night try to give 25 units of Regular when the pt was 42....

Some of you are being rather harsh. The nurse asked about parameters. Some of you gave really good examples of the differences doctors, facilities, and our own nursing judgement provide.Of course the suggestions to know your meds, look them up, etc. are great. I kind of got the impression this nurse was looking for the absolutes that novice nurses need until they gain the proficiency to evaluate internally rather than question each thing for an absolute answer.It is frightening that some nurses don't look at lab values, recent blood sugars, or the look of the patient. With experience sometimes you just know and really have to dig to figure out why you have the gut reaction of knowing the right thing to do.I don't spend as much time over this side. I prefer the Central side. Now I remember why I stopped coming to this side of the street. Nasty comments when a reasonable answer could be given.

Quote from Midwest4meHow asinine! Obviously that nurse had not a good understanding of diabetic issues...or was very brand new to nursing. How did you come about preventing that error?

I don't think the OP's question demanded a couple of the harsh responses she got. The responses discourage me a bit because I think that this is what people are talking about when they use the phrase "nurses eat their young." I think she was asking if they are any standard parameters for common medications...which to be honest I can't think of any right now off the top of my head (always look at labs and pertinent info before giving any med and always look it up if you don't know what it is for btw). I'm sure she studied pharmacology in school but in my opinion nursing school gave a poor representation of real world medication administration. Harsh responses aren't going to help her confidence level either.