The longer I live, the more I realize how important the simple things in life are. Communication whether in your personal life or in your work is so important. Here’s a great example of a missed opportunity due to ineffective or inadequate communication. Some...
I’ve been asked to discuss the relationship between Digoxin levels and potassium…so I will. Digoxin toxicity was discussed earlier this week, and obviously the kidney plays a big role in both digoxin levels and potassium homeostasis. Individuals with low potassium may...
Elderly patient was on Amiodarone for treatment of chronic arrhythmia. Amiodarone has multiple clinical quirks and unique side effects associated with it. In my mind, it’s definitely a high risk/high reward type drug. The patient had begun to experience some shortness...
I could continue on Coumadin for quite a while longer with other cases and stories, but there is too much other cool stuff to cover. I’m going to finish up on “bridging” of anticoagulants. I wrote a little bit the other night about the unique pharmacokinetics (what...
Vitamin K (or Mephyton or phytonadione for you A+ healthcare providers) is the reason why someone on Coumadin should try to keep a consistent diet. Big changes in intake of vitamin K can cause an INR to fluctuate. The more vitamin K intake someone has the more INR...
Coumadin is a high risk medication as I mentioned in one of the previous night’s posts. I have the opportunity to frequently review medication errors at dozens of healthcare facilities. Coumadin is a tricky drug to dose and because of this, can sometimes require odd...
