Chapter 9 Flashcards
Main principles for preparing medication
-perform hand hygiene before preparing/giving meds
-do not administer medication that you are unsure about (check w/ pharmacist or drug reference)
-be punctual
-obtain meds for one pt at a time
-check label 3x, high-alert requires two nurses to review
-check record for pharmacist verification
-check drug compatibility
Principles for administering medication
-perform pt education
-open medication at bedside into pt hand or cup
-if refused, return medication if it’s unopened
-discard contaminated meds
-stay w pt while they take it (do not leave meds unattended)
-document in record immediately
-return to evaluate pt condition
Digitalis medication administration
auscultate apical pulse for 1 min before administration
Verifying before administration
always use two pt identifiers
Dysphagia
crush appropriate meds one at a time and mix into small amount of soft food (clean pill crusher afterwards)
position pt in sitting or side-lying position to avoid aspiration
offer full glass of water (4-6 oz)
Medications that cannot be crushed
capsules, enteric-coated tablets, and sustained release or long-acting drugs
Oral medication administration
if requested, use gloved hand to administer oral meds
immediately administer effervescent powders and tabs after they dissolve
document administration
Benefit of sublingual and buccal medication
fast absorption, drug isn’t destroyed by GI
Sublingual administration
placed under the tongue (using gloves), instruct pt to wait till it’s fully dissolved to swallow or drink liquids, document in medical record
Buccal administration
place in between upper or lower molar teeth and cheek (using gloves), instruct pt to wait till it’s fully dissolved to swallow or drink liquids, document in medical record
alternate btwn left and right sides of mouth for each administration to prevent oral mucosa irritation
Orally disintegrating medication administration (above tongue)
use gloves to administer
-make sure pt has not ate or drank in past 5 min
-do not open package until the pt is ready to take the medication
-open one at a time to prevent damage (pill cannot be split or broken)
-instruct pt to hold med on tongue till it fully dissolves (about 1 min)
- warn pt it may be sweet or bitter but they cannot eat/drink for 5 minutes after
-document on medical record
Oral medications for infants and children
-usually liquid bc they cannot swallow pills/capsules
-suggested to use dispensable oral-dosing syringe for correct measurements
-slightly elevate infant head to prevent aspiration
-place dropper inside mouth, beside the tongue, and administer small amounts (allowing infant to swallow each time)
-may use clean, empty nipple and, if allowed, add a few mL of water to rinse remaining meds into the infants mouth
-do not administer if infant is crying (aspiration likely)
-do not add to bottle of formula
-mix bitter meds with jelly, applesauce, ice cream, or sherbet (never honey or essential foods like formula or milk)
Nasogastric or gastronomy tube administration
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