INDEX NURS 2236 Clinical Form 3: Clinical Medications Worksheet

(You will need to made additional copies of these forms)

Generic Trade Classification Dose Route Time/Frequency
Name Name
isosorbide nitrate 20mg PO BID
dinitrate vasodilator
Peak Onset Duration Normal Dosage range
UNK 15-40 min 4hr 2.5-30mg qid ac and hs

Why is your patient taking this medication? For IV meds, compatability with IV drips and/or solutions
anginal attacks

Mechanism of action and indications Nursing Implications (what to focus on)

Relief of acute anginal attacks and for management of Contraindications/warnings/interactions Hypersensitivity; severe anemia;
long-term angina pectoris Head trauma; cerebral hemorrhage; hypotension; pregnancy or lactation

Produce vasodilation. Decrease left ventricular end-

diastolic pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic volume
(preload). Net effect is reduced mycardial oxygen
consumption. Increase coronary blood flow by dilating
coronary arteries and improving collateral flow to
ischemic regions
Common side effects dizziness; headache; apprehension; weakness;
hypotension; tachycardia; paradoxic bradycardia; syncope; abdominal pain;
nausea; vomiting; flushing; pallor; prespiration
rash

Interactions with other patient drugs, OTC, or herbal
medicines (ask patient specifically)
Alcohol; tafdalafil; vardenafil; antihypertensives;
beta blockers; calcium channel blockers; phenothiazines;
aspirin; dihydroergotamine.
Nursing Process - Assessment
(Pre-administration assessment
Blood pressure; heartrate (pulse)
Assess location, duration, intensity, and
precipitating factors of anginal pain;
Lab value alterations caused by medicine
false decrease of serum cholesterol determinations. Excessive doses may
increase methemoglobin concentrations. May cause increase urine
vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) concentrations.
Be sure to teach the patient the following about this medication
Doses should be taken at least 2 hr apart; make position changes slowly to
minimize orthostatic hypotension; may cause dizziness; avoid driving; no alcohol;
headach is a common side effect and should decrease with continued use, take
aspirin or acetaminophen; may experience dry mouth; blurred vision.
Leave tabs in original container.
Assessment Evaluation
Why would you hold or not give Check after giving
this med?
lightheadedness; decreased blood pressure; Relief of anginal attacks and increase in
cardiac output
Increase in activity tolerance