University:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Course:
NURS 312 | Pharmacology
Academic year:

2021
Views:

174

Pages:

1
Author:

Hallie Randolph

ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE: Medication STUDENT NAME _____________________________________ Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) MEDICATION __________________________________________________________________________ Vitamin CATEGORY CLASS ______________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________ PURPOSE OF MEDICATION Expected Pharmacological Action Water-soluble vitamin essential for synthesis and maintenance of collagen and intracellular ground substance of body tissue cells, blood vessels, cartilage, bones, teeth, skin, and tendons. Humans are unable to synthesize ascorbic acid in the body, therefore it must be consumed daily. Therapeutic Use Prophylaxis and treatment of scurvy and as a dietary supplement. Complications GI: Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps (high doses). Hematologic: Acute hemolytic anemia (patients with deficiency of G6PD); sickle cell crisis. CNS: Headache (high doses). Urogenital: Urethritis, dysuria, crystalluria, hyperoxaluria, or hyperuricemia (high doses). Other: Mild soreness at injection site; dizziness and temporary faintness with rapid IV administration. Contraindications/Precautions Use of sodium ascorbate in patients on sodium restriction; use of calcium ascorbate in patients recieving digitalis. Interactions Drug: High doses of ascorbic acid can produce false negative results for urine glucose with glucose oxidase mehtods; false positive results with copper reduction methods. May produce false-negative tests for occult blood in stools if taken within 48-72 hours of test. Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness Improvments of scurvy symptoms. ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES Medication Administration Oral: Give oral solutions mixed with food. Dissolve effervescent tablet in a glass of water immediatley before ingestion. Intravenous: Give diluted in solutions such as NS, D5W, D5/NS, LR. Be aware that parenteral vitamin C is incompatible with many drugs. Consult pharmacist for compatibility information. Give slowly. Avoid rapid IV injection. Nursing Interventions Monitor for signs and symptoms of acute hemolytic anemia, sicle cell crisis. Monitor lab tests: Periodic Hct, Hgb, and serum electrolytes. Client Education High doses of vitamin C are not recommended during pregancy. Take large doses of vitamin C in divided amounts becaus ethe body uses only what is needed at a particular time and excretes the rest in urine. Megadoses can interfere with absorption of vitamin B12. Note: Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron when taken at the same time as iron-rich foods.