Pharmacological Protocols and Guidelines, GCSE Coursework Example

Introduction

The ability to deliver effective pharmacology techniques requires a level of skill, knowledge, and experience that is acquired by nurses. In the cardiac telemetry unit, it is important to deliver these services in a manner that is consistent with the desired treatment objectives and improved quality of care for this patient population. The use of specific pharmacological treatments for cardiac patients in the telemetry unit is based upon prior evidence of treatments that have been largely successful across many different groups of patients. However, there is always room for evaluation in conditions where the potential exists to modify one or more pharmacological treatments in favor of a different approach. Therefore, these considerations must be made in an effort to improve quality of life for these patients and to minimize the cardiac risks that they face. In this context, it is important to identify the challenges related to pharmacological treatments for common cardiac ailments and how there is always room for improvement in this area to improve patient outcomes.

Analysis

The identification of specific cardiac variables is of critical importance in determining the appropriate pharmacological approach that will positively impact this population (Geerts, Aarts, & Jansen, 2011). It is important to utilize existing methods that exist that have treated patients with cardiac conditions successfully; however, this also requires a high degree of knowledge and an effective understanding of the role of research in promoting improvements in cardiac therapies, including pharmacological treatments (Geerts et.al, 2011). In this context, nurses must administer medications in accordance with the treatment strategy; however, they must also examine methods whereby they might be able to address patient needs by using other alternatives that may have an even greater impact on patients with cardiac concerns (Geerts et.al, 2011).

The basis for pharmacological intervention for patients with cardiac issues is largely out of necessity due to the nature of these conditions; however, it is also important to recognize that other forms of treatment may also be considered that go beyond pharmacological means (Dobson et.al, 2012). It is necessary to examine cardiac health with a larger lens so that patients receive the best possible treatments for their diagnosis (Dobson et.al, 2012). Nonetheless, the options that are available to treat cardiac conditions typically involve pharmacological therapies and another form of treatment, such as surgical intervention in some cases (Dobson et.al, 2012). This process requires nurses to be knowledgeable in all areas of treatment for cardiac patients, whether they are directly related to pharmacological options or are a combined treatment method (Dobson et.al, 2012). Nurses must possess the knowledge and skills that are required to meet these objectives and to be proactive in meeting patient care expectations for the treatment of cardiac conditions (Dobson et.al, 2012).

The prevention of cardiac complications and events typically includes one or more types of medications that have a specific cardiac function, such as beta blockers for patients with hypertension; however, other factors must also be considered in how to treat patients who are rehabilitating from cardiac events (Balady et.al, 2011). Cardiac rehabilitation, therefore, may assume a different type of role and is likely to have a significant impact on patients when other alternatives are pursued (Balady et.al, 2011). In this manner, patients who receive pharmacological treatments as part of the rehabilitation process are likely to benefit from these therapies when they are able to be effective in treating the underlying condition; as a result, nurses must be prepared to manage these tasks through increased knowledge of therapies and also possess the knowledge that is required to improve quality of life within this patient population (Balady et.al, 2011).

Pharmacological interventions for cardiac patients must also include a specific strategy for older adults due to other risks that may complicate their care and treatment at this level (Forman et.al, 2011). The treatment provided to this patient population, therefore, must also be consistent with any other diagnosis that has been made so as not to pose a risk of pharmacological interaction or other issue that could have a lasting impact on their health and wellbeing (Forman et.al, 2011). Therefore, it is important to develop an effective pharmacological treatment plan that will accommodate older adults and that will be applied as a standard of care in the healthcare environment when specific symptoms occur and are common among this group of patients (Forman et.al, 2011). This process requires nurses to evaluate their own level of knowledge of pharmacological skill and technique so that their administration of medications to this patient population is accurate at all times (Forman et.al, 2011).

Conclusion

In the healthcare environment, nurses are responsible for administering medications to patients and in supporting a range of pharmacological techniques that support patient health and wellbeing. In this context, nurses working in cardiac units are responsible for administering a variety of medications to cardiac patients, depending on the nature of their condition and how it impacts their overall health. This promotes an opportunity to examine the different constructs of pharmacological treatments that are commonplace in the nursing environment and to recognize the risks associated with these treatments and how they might interfere with a patient’s progress. In these instances, removing one or medications may be necessary in order to regulate the patient, and new medications must be prescribed that will not cause detrimental side effects or other complications. Therefore, pharmacological roles for nurses must be a critical priority in their daily work activities.

References

Balady, G.J., Ades, P.A., Bittner, V.A., Franklin, B.A., Gordon, N.F., Thomas, R.J., Tomaselli, G.F., & Yancy, C.W. (2011). Referral, enrollment, and delivery of cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programs at clinical centers and beyond. Circulation, 124, 2951-2960.

Dobson, L.E., Lewin, R.J., Doherty, P., Batin, P.D., Megarry, S., & Gale, C.P. (2012). Is cardiac rehabilitation still relevant in the new millennium? Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, 13, 32-37.

Forman, D.E., Rich, M.W., Alexander, K.P., Zieman, S., Maurer, M.S., Najjar, S.S., Cleveland, J.C., Krumholz, H.M, & Wenger, N.K. (2011). Cardiac care for older adults. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 57(18), 1-10.

Geerts, B.F., Aarts, L.P. & Jansen, J.R. (2011). Methods in pharmacology: measurement of cardiac output. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 71(3), 316-330.