Fundamentals: Medication Administration

Question 1

What are predicted or unintended effects of medication?

Answer 1

therapeutic effects, side effects, adverse effects, toxic effects, allergic reactions, anaphylactic reactions, and medication interaction.

Question 2

Therapeutic effects

Answer 2

expected or predictable physiological response to a medication

Question 3

Side effects

Answer 3

predictable and often unavoidable secondary effects a medication predictably will cause

Question 4

Adverse effects

Answer 4

unintended, undesirable, and often unpredictable severe responses to medication

Question 5

Toxic effects

Answer 5

develop after prolonged intake of medication or when a medication accumulates in the blood because of impaired metabolism or excretion

Question 6

Allergic reactions

Answer 6

unpredictable responses to a medication

Question 7

Anaphylactic reactions

Answer 7

allergic reactions that are life threatening and characterized by sudden constriction of bronchiolar muscles, edema of the pharynx and larynx, and severe wheezing and shortness of breath

Question 8

Medication interaction

Answer 8

occurs when one medication modifies the action of another medication; it may altar the way another medication is absorbed, metabolized, or eliminated from the body

Question 9

What are the two types of oral routes

Answer 9

Oral (swallowing)
Buccal (dissolve in between cheek and gums)
Sublingual (dissolve under tongue)

Question 10

Identify and describe the five methods for applying medications to mucous membranes.

Answer 10

Directly apply a liquid or ointment
Inserting a medication into a body cavity
Instilling fluid into a body cavity
Irrigating a body cavity
Spraying

Question 11

Common types of medication orders

Answer 11

verbal, standing or routine, PRN, single (one time), STAT, Now.

Question 12

Verbal

Answer 12

If the order is given verbally to the nurse by the provider, it is a verbal order

Question 13

Standing or routine

Answer 13

is carried out until the prescriber cancels it by another order or until a prescribed number of days elapsed

Question 14

PRN

Answer 14

a medication that is given only when a patient requires it

Question 15

Single (one-time)

Answer 15

given only once at a specified time

Question 16

STAT

Answer 16

a single dose of a medication to be given immediately and only once

Question 17

Now

Answer 17

used when a patient needs a medication quickly but not right away; the nurse has up to 90 minutes to administer

Question 18

Identify the common medication errors that can cause patient harm

Answer 18

Inaccurate prescribing
Administration of the wrong medicine
Giving the medication using the wrong route or time interval
Administering extra doses
Failing to administer a medication

Question 19

Identify and describe the process for medication reconciliation.

Answer 19

Obtain, verify, document
Consider and compare
Reconcile
Communicate

Question 20

List the six rights of medication administration.

Answer 20

Right medication
Right dose
Right patient
Right route
Right time
Right documentation

Question 21

Identify the areas the nurse needs to assess to determine the need for and potential response to medication therapy.

Answer 21

History
History of allergies
Medication data
Diet history
Patient’s perceptual coordination problems
Patient’s current condition
Patient’s attitude about medication use
Patient’s knowledge and understanding of medication therapy
Patient’s learning needs

Question 22

Identify the components of a medication order.

Answer 22

Patient’s full name
Date and time that the order is written
Medication name
Dose
Route of administration
Time and frequency of administration
Signature of provider

Question 23

Polypharmacy means:

Answer 23

When patients need to take several medications to treat their illnesses, take two or more medications from the same chemical calls, use two or more medications with the same or similar actions or mix nutritional supplements or herbal products with medications, polypharmacy happens.

Question 24

Identify the precautions to take when administering any oral preparation to prevent aspiration

Answer 24

• Determine the patient’s ability to swallow and cough and check for gag reflex
• Prepare oral medications in the form that is easiest to swallow
• Allow the patient to self-administer medications if possible
• If the patient has unilateral weakness, place the medication in the stronger side of the mouth
• Administer pills one at a time, ensuring that each medication is properly swallowed before the next one is introduced
• Thicken regular liquids of offer fruit nectars if the patient cannot tolerate thin liquids
• Avoid straws because they decrease the control the patient has over volume intake, which increases the risk of aspiration
• Have the patient hold the cup and drink from it if possible
• Time medications to coincide with meal times or when the patient is well rested and awake if possible
• Administer medications using another route if risk of aspiration is severe

Question 25

Identify the guidelines to ensure safe administration of transdermal or topical medications.

Answer 25

• Medication history and reconciling medications
• Assess if patient has an existing patch before application
• Wear disposable gloves when applying and removing patches
• Apply noticeable label to the patch
• Document removal of medication on the MAR
• Document the location of the patient’s body where the medication was placed on the medication administration record (MAR)

Question 26

Describe the procedure for instilling nose drops and sprays.

Answer 26

HELP

Question 27

List four principles for administering eye instillations.

Answer 27

• Avoid instilling any eye medication directly onto the cornea
• Avoid touching the eyelids or other eye structures with eye droppers or ointment tubes
• Use medication only for the patient’s affected eye
• Never allow a patient to use another patient’s eye medications

Question 28

Describe the procedure for instilling ear drops.

Answer 28

HELP

Question 29

Failure to instill ear drops at room temperature causes.

Answer 29

Vertigo, dizziness, and nausea.

Question 30

Vaginal medications are available as:

Answer 30

• Suppositories
• Foam
• Jellies
• Creams

Question 31

Rectal suppositories are used for

Answer 31

exerting local effects (promoting defecation) or systemic effects (reducing nausea)

Question 32

types of inhalation inhalers

Answer 32

Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs).
Breath-actuated metered-dose inhalers (BAIs).
Dry powder inhalers (DPIs)

Question 33

Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs)

Answer 33

Delivers a measured dose of medication with each push of a canister often used with a spacer

Question 34

Breath-actuated metered-dose inhalers (BAIs)

Answer 34

Releases medication when a patient raises a level and then inhales

Question 35

Dry powder inhalers (DPIs)

Answer 35

Hold dry, powered medication and create an aerosol when the patient inhales through a reservoir that contains the medication