Main description:

A thoroughly updated edition of this well-established guide to drugs and prescribing for intensive care. The book is split into two sections: an A-Z guide to the drugs available, and concise notes on the key topics and situations faced on a daily basis. The A-Z section provides succinct information on each drug including uses, limitations, administration directions and adverse effects. The second section details complications that may arise in patients with particular conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy and renal failure, and other factors that may affect drug prescribing. This revised edition includes eleven new drug monographs and covers several new topics, including sepsis and drugs for organ donation. Inside the back cover is a colour fold-out chart showing drug compatibility for intravenous administration. Presented in a concise, compact format, this book is an invaluable resource for doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals caring for critically ill patients.

Contents:

Introduction; How to use this book; Abbreviations; Drugs: an A-Z guide; Short notes: routes of administration; Loading dose; Drug metabolism; Enzyme systems; Drug excretion; Drug tolerance; Drug interactions; Therapeutic drug monitoring; Pharmacology in the critically ill; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Management of acute major anaphylaxis; Management of severe hyperkalaemia; Management of malignant hyperthermia; Sedation, analgesia and neuromuscular blockade; Management of status epilepticus; Management of delirium tremens and alcohol withdrawal syndrome; Anti-arrhythmic drugs; Inotropes and vasopressors; Bronchospasm; Anti-ulcer drugs; Immunonutrition in the ICU; Corticosteroids; Short synacthen test; Bone marrow rescue following nitrous oxide; Antioxidants; Prophylaxis following splenectomy; Anti-microbial drugs; Renal replacement therapy; Appendices: Appendix A. Creatinine clearance; Appendix B. Weight conversion (stones/lb to kg); Appendix C. BMI calculator; Appendix D. Lean body weight charts; Appendix E. Infusion rate/dose calculation; Appendix F. Drug compatibility chart; Appendix G. Omeprazole administration record; Appendix H. Sodium content of oral medications; Appendix I. Drug management of the brain-stem dead donor; Appendix J. Continuous vancomycin infusion; Appendix K. Child-Pugh score; Appendix L. Severe sepsis algorithm; Drug index.