Thoroughly revised and updated every year, Mosby's 2008 Nursing Drug Reference provides all the information necessary for safe administration of more than 1,300 generic and 4,500 trade name drugs. This portable handbook organizes drugs alphabetically, and features an improved, two-color interior design with A-to-Z thumb tabs to make it even easier to find essential information quickly. This edition continues to feature do-not-confuse headings, nursing alert icons, "Tall Man" lettering as recommended by the FDA, specially grouped administration-route considerations, an emphasis on IV information, the highlighting of high alert drugs, and the identification of common and life-threatening side effects to promote safe medication administration and prevent drug errors. Fifteen detailed, four-color illustrations show how select drugs and drug classes work at the cellular level. Approximately 20 new drugs, thousands of new and updated drug facts, and new appendices are included in this latest edition, which also features a revamped mini Companion CD-ROM. A free internet drug updates website provides the latest drug alerts, new drug monographs and many more helpful features. Mosby's 2008 Nursing Drug Reference is also available as an interactive PDA powered by Skyscape. Presents comprehensive coverage on more than 1,300 generic drugs (encompassing more than 4,500 trade names) that nurses commonly administer. Organizes monographs alphabetically by generic drug name to allow for fast retrieval of needed information. Includes comprehensive drug monographs containing generic names; Rx or OTC designations; pronunciation; U.S. and Canadian trade names; functional and chemical classification; controlled-substance schedule; do-not-confuse drugs; action; uses; unlabeled uses; dosages and routes; available forms; side effects; contraindications; precautions; pharmacokinetics; interactions (including drug/herb, drug/food and drug lab test); nursing considerations; and treatment of overdose. Provides extensive nursing considerations in a concise, practice-oriented framework: assess, administer, perform/provide, evaluate, and teach patient/family. Highlights IV drug information under the "Administer" heading that includes special considerations and Y-site, syringe, and additive compatibilities, ensuring that all of the IV drug administration content is grouped together in one easy-to-find place. Features boldface route subheadings (PO, IV, IM, etc.) under the "Dosage and Routes" and the "Administer" headings to help the user find information quickly. Identifies high alert drugs that pose the greatest risk for patient harm if administered incorrectly. Highlights common and life-threatening side effects in different typefaces for easy identification. Features a second color safety alert icon to identify considerations that require special attention. Features over 400 potential interactions between drugs and herbal products. Includes lifespan and disorder-related dosages for newborns; children; adolescents; adults; geriatric, hepatic and renal patients. Lists over 1,200 pairs of look-alike/sound-alike drug names in an appendix as well as in special do-not-confuse headings at the beginning of drug monographs to help nurses avoid administering the wrong drug. Includes several detailed multi-product monographs that group all chemically similar forms of insulin, cephalosporin (1st-, 2nd-, 3rd-generation), contraceptives, and penicillin together into single monographs. Cross-references to the individual forms of these drugs appear alphabetically throughout the book in easy-to-find colored monograph header blocks. Features key Canadian drug content including a listing of high alert Canadian medications, a Canadian controlled substance chart, an immunization schedule, and a maple leaf to designate Canadian brand names. Includes