"I Can't Poop": Medication-Induced Constipation.

One of the challenging side effects of many medications is constipation. When knowledgeable nurses who teach patients about their medications include information about the possibility of constipation, they can then educate patients about how to prevent, reduce, or treat medication-related constipation. Discussion in the following article addresses examples of drugs that have the potential for constipation, why constipation may occur with these medications, and how to safely prevent or reduce medication-induced constipation.

More New Medication Approvals.

In the past year, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved many new drugs for treating a wide variety of patient health problems. In a previous article, examples of approvals for the early part of last year were addressed. In this article, selected new FDA approvals through January 2016 are discussed.

Catching Up on New Medications: New FDA Approvals.

Despite all efforts of the Federal Drug Administration to release timely and accurate information about new drug approvals, marketing and media announcements about new drugs may be incomplete, misinterpreted, or misunderstood. Informed and knowledgeable nurses are able to educate patients about new medications: they can clarify misunderstandings or misconceptions and significantly reduce the potential for harm. In this article, selected examples of new brand name drugs and first-time generics approved this year are discussed.

Acetaminophen by infusion.

Acetaminophen is a nonsteroidal, nonsalicylate analgesic and antipyretic that is, today, the most common medication ingredient found in oral and rectal over-the-counter and prescription drugs. However, it was not until 2010 that Ofirmev (acetaminophen), an injection form of acetaminophen, was approved for treating mild to moderate pain, as an adjunct to opioids for severe pain, and reduction of fever in those younger than 2 years. Thus, intravenous acetaminophen may be appropriately used in a wide variety of settings and nurses who are knowledgeable and informed about the correct use of intravenous acetaminophen will be able to reduce the potential for medication misadventures.

Your client has multiple sclerosis: understanding the challenge.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness or spasticity, balance incoordination, sensory deficit, and fatigue. Any of these effects of MS can increase the risk for orthopaedic injury that places individuals with MS in an orthopaedic care setting. Nurses with an understanding of MS and the effect of MS on the body will be better prepared to educate peers about MS, act as advocates for individuals with MS in the orthopaedic setting, and offer optimum care that addresses the patient's MS as well as the orthopaedic problem.