Chapter32: Oral Medications

Question 1

Name the seven components of a drug order.

Answer 1

Client’s name, date & time the order is written, drug name, dose to be administered, route of administration, frequency of administration, and signature of the person ordering drug

Question 2

Explain the difference between trade name & generic name.

Answer 2

Trade- the name by which a pharmaceutical company identifies a drug
Generic- chemical name not protected by a company’s trademark

Question 3

Name four common routes for drug administration.

Answer 3

Oral, inhalant, topical, par enteral

Question 4

Describe the oral route & the general forms of medication administered this way.

Answer 4

Oral routes - administration of drugs by swallowing or instillation through an enteral tube

Forms-tablet, elixirs, syrups, suspensions

Question 5

Explain the purpose of a medication record (MAR).

Answer 5

To ensure timely & safe medication administration; provides a space for documenting when a drug is given, along with a place for the signature, title, & initials of each nurse who administers the drug

Question 6

Name three ways drugs are supplied.

Answer 6

Individual supply, unit dose supply, stick supply

Question 7

Discuss nursing responsibilities that apply to administering a narcotic.

Answer 7

Responsible for accurate acoustic of use; keep a record; two nurses must count and come up the same; any controlled substance that is Estes in whole/part must be consigned by a witness

Question 8

Name the five rights of medication administration.

Answer 8

Right drug
Right dose
Right route 
Right time 
Right client 
Right to refuse
Right documentation

Question 9

Give the formula for calculating a drug dose.

Answer 9

D/H * Q

Desired dose/dose on hand times quantity = dose to administer

Question 10

Discuss the guidelines that apply to safe administration of medications

Answer 10

• prepare medications under well-lit conditions
• work alone w/o interruptions or distraction
• check label of container 3x
• avoid using medications with a missing or obliterated label
• return medications with dubious or obscured labels to the pharmacy
• NEVER transfer medications from one container to another
• check the expiration dates on ALL medications
• inspect the medication & reject any that appear to be decomposing

Question 11

Describe what to stress when teaching clients about taking medications.

Answer 11

• inform the prescriber of all other drugs you are taking currently
• have Rx filled at same pharmacy so that the pharmacist can spot any potential drug interactions
• read & follow the label directions carefully
• take the Rx medication for the full time it is prescribed

Question 12

Explain the circumstances involved in giving oral medication by an enteral tube & some commonly associated problems.

Answer 12

Client cannot swallow; blockage/aspiration

Question 13

Describe three appropriate actions in the event of a medication error.

Answer 13

• check the client’s condition
• report the mistake to the healthcare provider & nursing supervisor
• complete an incident report

Question 14

Define the term medication.

Answer 14

Chemical substance that changes body function