I now have all the information needed to provide a thorough breakdown of every medication on this chart. Here is the complete guide:
Medication Chart - Sanjeevani Hospital
Patient: Mrs. Anita | Age: 34 | Sex: F | Ward: GU02 | Admitted: 10/7/26
RMO: Dr. Parmar | NBM (Nil By Mouth) ordered
IV Fluids (Intravenous Infusions)
These are maintenance/hydration fluids given because the patient is NBM (nothing by mouth).
1. Inj. RL - Ringer's Lactate | IV | 1 Litre | over 2 hours
What it is: A balanced crystalloid solution containing sodium, potassium, calcium, and lactate, closely mimicking body fluids.
Use: Replaces lost fluids, maintains hydration, corrects mild electrolyte imbalances.
Precautions:
- Monitor for fluid overload (swelling, breathlessness)
- Caution in patients with heart failure or kidney disease
- Avoid in patients with high potassium (hyperkalemia) or high calcium (hypercalcemia)
- Monitor IV site for redness or swelling (phlebitis)
2. Inj. DNS - Dextrose Normal Saline | IV | 1 Litre | over 2 hours
What it is: A combination of 5% Dextrose (sugar) in 0.9% Normal Saline.
Use: Provides calories (energy) + fluid + sodium to a patient who cannot eat.
Precautions:
- Avoid or use with caution in diabetic patients (raises blood sugar)
- Monitor blood glucose regularly
- Watch for fluid overload
- Never mix with certain drugs like blood products
3. Inj. NS - Normal Saline | IV | 1 Litre | over 2 hours
What it is: 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution.
Use: General hydration, sodium replacement, flush for IV lines.
Precautions:
- Large volumes can cause hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis
- Caution in heart failure, kidney disease, hypertension
- Monitor for edema (swelling)
Antibiotics
4. Inj. Monotax (Ceftriaxone) | IV | 1g | Every 12 hours
What it is: A 3rd generation cephalosporin antibiotic - one of the most widely used hospital antibiotics.
Use: Broad-spectrum antibiotic used for serious infections including abdominal, urinary, respiratory, and surgical site infections.
Precautions:
- Allergy check first - ask about penicillin/cephalosporin allergy before giving
- Can cause allergic reactions (rash, anaphylaxis in rare cases)
- May cause diarrhea, nausea
- Can rarely cause a false-positive Coombs test
- Avoid intramuscular injection with lidocaine in patients allergic to local anesthetics
- Monitor for superinfection (C. difficile diarrhea with prolonged use)
5. Inj. Metrogyl (Metronidazole) | IV | 100 ml | Every 8 hours
What it is: An antibiotic and antiprotozoal drug, especially effective against anaerobic bacteria.
Use: Treats anaerobic bacterial infections (abdominal, pelvic), surgical prophylaxis, often paired with ceftriaxone for abdominal coverage.
Precautions:
- Absolutely NO alcohol - causes severe nausea/vomiting (disulfiram-like reaction)
- Can cause metallic taste in the mouth
- May cause nausea, headache, dizziness
- Avoid in first trimester of pregnancy
- Can cause peripheral neuropathy with prolonged use
- May enhance the effect of blood thinners (warfarin)
6. Inj. G-M (Gentamicin) | IV | 80mg | Every 12 hours
What it is: An aminoglycoside antibiotic, active against serious gram-negative bacterial infections.
Use: Used for severe infections, often in combination with other antibiotics for broad coverage (especially in abdominal and urinary infections).
Precautions - VERY IMPORTANT:
- Nephrotoxic - can damage kidneys; monitor renal function (creatinine, urine output) regularly
- Ototoxic - can damage hearing and balance (especially with prolonged use or high doses); monitor for ringing in ears or dizziness
- Dose must be adjusted in patients with kidney disease
- Stay well hydrated
- Avoid combining with other nephrotoxic drugs (e.g., NSAIDs, contrast dye)
- Drug level monitoring (trough and peak) is important for safety
Gastric Protection
7. Inj. Pantop (Pantoprazole) | IV | 40mg | Once daily (Every 24 hours)
What it is: A Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) - reduces acid production in the stomach.
Use: Protects the stomach lining from ulcers caused by stress (being in hospital, NBM, surgery) and from NSAIDs (like Diclofenac given here). Treats acid reflux and peptic ulcer disease.
Precautions:
- Generally well tolerated
- Long-term use can reduce magnesium, calcium, and B12 levels
- Can increase risk of C. difficile infection with prolonged use
- May reduce absorption of some drugs (e.g., ketoconazole, iron)
- Rarely: headache, diarrhea, nausea
Pain Relief (Analgesic)
8. Inj. Dynapar (Diclofenac) | IM | 1 ampoule | Every 12 hours
What it is: A Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) - phenylacetic acid derivative, one of the most potent NSAIDs.
Use: Pain relief and anti-inflammatory, commonly used for post-operative pain, colic, musculoskeletal pain.
Precautions - IMPORTANT:
- Avoid in kidney disease - can worsen renal function
- Avoid in heart disease or history of heart attack/stroke - increases cardiovascular risk
- Avoid in peptic ulcer disease (this is why Pantoprazole is also prescribed here - as protection)
- Do not use in pregnancy (especially third trimester)
- Can cause GI bleeding - report any black stools or vomiting blood
- Avoid in patients with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners
- Should be injected deep IM into the gluteal muscle - rotate injection sites
- Caution in asthma patients (can trigger bronchospasm)
Anti-Nausea / Prokinetic
9. Inj. Perinorm (Metoclopramide) | IV | 2ml | Every 12 hours
What it is: A dopamine antagonist that also works on serotonin receptors. It speeds up stomach emptying and acts as an antiemetic.
Use: Prevents and treats nausea and vomiting; helps gastric motility (especially useful in a patient who is NBM).
Precautions:
- Can cause extrapyramidal side effects (involuntary muscle movements, tremors, restlessness - especially in young women and children)
- If the patient develops abnormal movements or muscle stiffness, stop the drug and inform the doctor
- Can cause drowsiness - caution when getting up (fall risk)
- Contraindicated in intestinal obstruction or bowel perforation
- Avoid in patients with pheochromocytoma (rare adrenal tumor)
- Should not be used long term (risk of tardive dyskinesia)
10. Inj. Phenergan (Promethazine) | IM | 1 ampoule | At bedtime (HS)
What it is: A first-generation antihistamine (H1 blocker) with strong sedative and antiemetic properties.
Use: Relieves nausea/vomiting, acts as a mild sedative at night, helps with allergic reactions.
Precautions:
- Causes significant drowsiness and sedation - patient should not get up unassisted after receiving this injection
- Has strong anticholinergic effects - can cause dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, blurred vision
- IV Promethazine is dangerous - should only be given IM or by very slow IV diluted infusion; rapid IV can cause severe tissue necrosis and respiratory depression
- Caution in elderly patients (confusion, fall risk)
- Avoid in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma or prostate problems
- Can lower seizure threshold
Summary of the Combination
This medication regimen is typical for a post-operative or seriously ill patient who:
- Cannot eat or drink (NBM)
- Is on IV fluids for hydration and nutrition
- Has an active infection requiring triple antibiotic coverage (Ceftriaxone + Metronidazole + Gentamicin - a classic abdominal/pelvic infection regimen)
- Needs pain control (Diclofenac)
- Needs stomach protection while on NSAIDs and under stress (Pantoprazole)
- Is experiencing nausea/vomiting (Metoclopramide + Promethazine at night)
Important Note: This information is for educational understanding only. All medications on this chart are prescribed by a qualified doctor (Dr. Parmar) and must only be administered under medical supervision by trained nursing staff. Do not adjust any doses or timings without consulting the treating physician.