Lab: Medication Administration Flashcards
Complete Medication Order (6 Elements)
- Drug Name
- Dose
- Route
- Frequency
- Qualifier / for pain or temp > 101
- Signature
Pharmacokinetics
The activity of drugs in the body over a period of time, including the processes by which drugs are absorbed, distributed in the body, localized in the tissues, and excreted.
- Absorption: Absorbed into circulation
- Distribution: Distributed ie. various tissues
- Metabolism: Metabolized or broken down
- Excretion: Eliminated/excreted through urine/feces
10 Rights of Medication Administration
- Right Medication
- Right Dose
- Right Route
- Right Time
- Right Client
- Right Documentation
- Right to Receive Education
- Right Reason/Indication
- Right Response/Evaluation
- Right to Refuse
Intradermal
Administration of medication between layers of skin
Common Use: Allergy testing, TB testing
Technique:
- Needle length: 1/4 - 1/2 inches, 25-27 gauge
- Angle of injection: 5-15 Degrees
- Site: Inner forearm, back
- Medication: small amounts (usually 0.1mL)
Subcutaneous (SubQ)
Injection into the tissue just below the skin
Common Use: Insulin, heparin, ozempic
Technique:
- Angle of injection: 45-90 Degrees
- Site: Upper arm, abdomen, thigh
- Medication: Small amounts (0.5-1.5mL)
- Pinch skin if necessary, dart like grasp
Intramuscular
Medication injected into muscle tissue
Common Use: Vaccines, pain medications, antibiotics
Technique:
- Angle of injection: 90 Degrees
- Site: Ventrogluteal, vastus lateralis, deltoid muscles
- Medication: larger volumes (1-5mL depending on muscle)
- Ensure proper needle length (1-1.5 in for adults)
Z Track Technique
Displace skin by pulling skin 1 in over with non dominant hand.
Let go after injection was given and needle removed.
Prevents medication leakage, particularly for oily, irritating, or discoloring medication injection
Enteral
Administration of medications through the digestive tract
Forms: oral tablets, capsules, liquid medications, nasogastric tube, gastrostomy tube
Technique:
- Ensure correct tube placement
- Crush or dissolve medications if necessary for NG/G tube
- Avoid crushing enteric coated or extended release medications
CANNOT administer PO meds through tube
- Check placement and gastric residual by pulling back on syringe
- Use 60mL syringe, flush with 30mL water to gravity.
- Pour meds and flush with 15-30mL water between each med
- Clamp the feeding tube, remove syringe, restart feeding if indicated
Intravaginal
Administration of medication directly into the vagina
Common Use: Vaginal suppositories, creams, and tablets
Technique:
- Perform perineal care
- Lubricate, spread labia with non-dominant hand and gently insert the applicator using dominant hand, directly in a downward angle
- maintain position for five minutes for medication absorption
Position: Patient in a supine postition with knees bent
Insertion depth: 2-3 inches
Rectal
Medications administered via the rectum
Common Use: fever, constipation, nausea, vomiting
Technique:
- Maintain modesty
Position: left lateral Sim’s position
- Insert the suppository 3-4 inches for adults, slide it along the rectal wall
- Use lubrication for comfort
- Stay in position for five minutes
PO, Buccal, Sublingual
Medication taken by mouth
Common Use: Most common route for administering drugs
PO Technique:
- Check for swallowing ability
- Ensure upright position
- Offer water/fluids to facilitate swallowing
Buccal Technique:
- Place medication between cheek and gums until dissolved
- DO NOT swallow
Sublingual Technique:
- Instruct patient to place medication under tongue until dissolved
- DO NOT swallow
General Technique:
- Open wrapper at bedside into a medication cup
- Check expiration date, perform calculations
- If patient cannot swallow consult pharmacy if medication can be crushed/capsule can be opened and sprinkled on applesauce
- DO NOT leave meds with client
Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI)
Device used to deliver a specific amount of medication to the lungs
Common Use: Asthma, COPD
Technique:
- Shake Inhaler
- Exhale fully before inhaling
- Inhale slowly while pressing the inhaler
- Hold breath for 5-10 seconds
- Rinse mouth and clean MDI afterwards
Transdermal
Medication delivered through the skin, typically via patches
Common Use: Pain relief (fentanyl patch), nicotine replacement, hormone therapy
Technique:
- Don’t touch sticky side of new patch
- Apply pressure to new patch for ten seconds to encourage adhering
- Apply to clean, dry, intact, and hairless skin
- Rotate sites to prevent skin irritation
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions for wear time
Otic
Medications delivered into the ear
Common Use: ear infecitons, earwax removal
Technique:
- Position: for adults, pull ear upward and backward
- For children <3yr, pull ear downward and backward
- Allow medication to remain in ear for 5 minutes
Ophthalmic
Medications administered in the eyes
Common Use: Ear drops or ointments for infections, glaucoma, allergies
Technique:
- Clean hands and wear gloves
- Have patient tilt their head back
- Pull lower eyelid down, instill drops without touching the eye
Nasal
Medications delivered directly into the nasal passages
Common Use: Nasal decongestants, hormone therapy
Technique:
- Have patient blow their nose before administration
- Tilt head back slightly
- Administer in one nostril at a time
- Instruct the patient to exhale through the mouth after a few seconds
- Avoid blowing nose for 5-10 mins after administration
