Ch. 3 Medication Safety

Question 1

What are the nurse’s 6 rights concerning safe medication administration?

Answer 1

1. The right to a complete and clear order
2. The right to have the correct drug, route, and dose dispensed
3. The right to access to information
4. The right to policies to guide safe medication administration
5. The right to administer medications safely and to identify system problems
6. The right to stop, think, and be vigilant when administering medications.

Question 2

What are the 5 traditional drug administration rights?

Answer 2

1. The right client
2. The right drug
3. The right dose
4. The right time
5. The right route

Question 3

What are the 5 additional rights to drug administration?

Answer 3

1. The right assessment
2. The right documentation
3. The client’s right to education
4. The right evaluation
5. The client’s right to refuse.

Question 4

List 4 nursing implications in determining the right client.

Answer 4

1. Verify the client by checking the identification bracelet.
2. Distinguish between two clients with the same last name; have warnings highlighted In a bright color on identification (ID) tools such as med cards, bracelet, or Kardex.
3. Some institutions have ID bracelets coded for allergy status. B aware of this policy.
4. When clients do not wear ID bands, the nurse must acutely identify the individual when administering a medication.

Question 5

What are the 8 components of a drug order?

Answer 5

1. Date and time order is written.
2. Drug name (generic preferred).
3. Drug dosage.
4. Route of administration
5. Frequency and duration of administration.
6. Any special instructions for withholding or adjusting dosage based on nursing assessment, drug effectiveness, or lab results.
7. Physician or other healthcare provider’s signature (or name if TO or VO).
8. Signatures of licensed practitioners taking TO or VO.

Question 6

List 6 nursing interventions related to a drug order.

Answer 6

1. The nurse should be well versed in the client’s health history and previously performed assessments.
2. Check that the medication order is complete and legible. If the order is not, notify the nurse manager and health care provider.
3. Know the client’s allergies.
4. Know the reason the client is to drive the medication.
5. Check the drug label three times before administration of the medication.
6. Know the date the medication was ordered and any ending date (ex. for controlled substances, antibiotics, etc).