Medication Flashcards
What is a complete order?
Name of patient
Date and time order written
Drug name
Dosage
Route
Time and frequency
Signature of provider
What are the 3 safety checks?
When nurse reaches for the drug. They read it from the MAR. Match the drug label to the computer screen when removing drug from dispensing system
During preparation. Before going to the patient room, the nurse matches the MAR to the drug label
When screening the drug at the bedside before administering. The nurse again visualizes the MAR as they match the drug label to the computer screen
6 rights of medication?
Right patient- name and DOB
Right drug- know the name of the drug and its purpose
Right dose- know what the expected or normal dose is
Right route
Right frequency/time
Right documantation
Most common causes of medication errors
Nurse fatigue/exhaustion
Nurse distraction by clients, peers, unit occurrences
Nurse failure to verify MAR and client arm band
Insufficient knowledge of drugs
What is the gauge of a needle?
Diameter of the needle
Relationship between gauge and diameter?
The higher the gauge
The smaller the diameter of the needle
What is an ampule?
Glass container usually designed to hold a single dose of a drug
How do you open an ampule?
Ampule must be carefully broken at the neck with gauze or alcohol package
Filter needle required!
What does reconstitution of medication mean?
A liquid (solvent) must be added to a powdered drug before it can be injected
What is the angle used for intradermal? And what ml administered?
5-15 degrees to inject
0.1 ml usually administered
When do we use intradermal injection?
Commonly given for allergy testing, TB testing, and vaccinations
What is the angle used for subcutaneous? And what ml administered?
45 to 90 degrees to inject
Usually 1 ml or less
What is the angle used for intramuscular ? And what ml administered?
90 degrees
1 ml for small children
2 ml for thin adults, children, elderly
3 ml for well developed adult
Recommend sites for intramuscular injections?
Infants: vastus lateralis
Toddlers/children: vastus lateralis or deltoid
Adults: ventrogluteal or deltoid
