Nursing

Learn to spot adverse drug reactions

Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, September 3, 2007

Adverse drug reactions (ADR) and drug interactions affect many clients' lives each year with unexpected illnesses, hospitalization, and even death. A number of deaths each year are attributed to clients taking new prescription drugs and combining them with existing medications.

How would you, as a nurse, know if the client was having an adverse drug reaction? Here are some telltale signs:

  • Sudden change in client's condition soon after drug administration
  • Change in level of consciousness
  • Dangerous drop in blood pressure
  • Extremely elevated blood pressure
  • Rapid irregular heart rate
  • Abnormally low heart rate

Source: Stressed Out About Drug Interactions, HCPro Inc., 2007. For more information on our series of Stressed Out books, visit www.stressedoutnurses.com

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