Medication administration

Question 1

1. What syringe should be used for a subcutaneous injection?
2. What needle is used for subcutaneous?
3. What site is used for subcutaneous?

Answer 1

1. 1 - 3mL.
2. 27-25 guage, 3/8 - 5/8 in.
3. abdomen, lateral upper arm, thigh, scapular area, or upper ventrodrsal gluteal area

Question 2

1. What type of injection is insulin?
2. What type of syringe is used for insulin?
3. What type of needle is used for insulin?

Answer 2

1. subcutaneous
2. Insulin syringe 0.5 - 1mL w/ preattached needle.
3. 26 - 31 gauge (very tiny). 5/16 - 1/2 in. Preattached.

Question 3

1. What type of syringe is used for intradermal injections?
2. What type of needle is used for intradermal injections?
3. What is the site of intradermal injections?

Answer 3

1. 1mL tuberculin syringe.
2. Preattached 26-27 gauge.
3. inner forearm, upper arm, and across the scap.

Question 4

1. What type of syringe is used for IM injections?
2. What type of needle is used for IM injections?
3. What is the site for IM injections?

Answer 4

1. Adults: 2-3mL. Infants and small children: 0.5 - 1mL.
2. 20 -25 gauge. If oil-based solutions, 18-25 gauge.
3. Depends on the age/size of the person. Adults: ventrogluteal, vastus lateralis, and deltoid. Children: vastus lateralis or deltoid. Infants: vastus lateralis.

Question 5

1. What syringe should be used of IV?

2. What needle is used for IV?

Answer 5

1. Depends on the amount of medication to be infused.

2. Typically a large gauge, 1 in needle. Needleless blunt-tip cannula or luer-lok used w/ associated IV ports.

Question 6

1. On the MAR, how do we indicate that a med was administered?
2. What codes should be indicated along with initials?
3. On the MAR, how do we indicated that a med was held?

Answer 6

1. draw a line thru the time and initial.
2. The site of injection, which side of the body, and number of insulin units administered if using a sliding scale.
3. Circle the time, initial, and give reason for omission.

Question 7

1. What is Metoprolol, what is it indicated for, and how is it administered?
2. Why would we hold Metoprolol, and what are the nursing considerations?
3. What is Colace, what is it indicated for, and how is it administered?
4. Why would we hold Colace and what are the nursing considerations?
5. What is Lasix/Furosemide, what is it indicated for, and how is it administered?
6. Why would we hold Lasix/Furosemide, and what are the nursing considerations?

Answer 7

1. Beta blocker, hypertension, PO
2. Low HR, Low BP, and allergy. Call for concerns
3. Stool softener for hard stools and constipation. PO
4. Loose BM or allergy. Call for concerns.
5. Diuretics, Hypertension and edema. PO
6. Low K+, Low BP, and allergy. May make dizzy.

Question 8

1. What is Rocephin and its indications, and how to administer?
2. Why would we hold Rocephin, and what are its nursing considerations?
3. What is Humulin NPH, it’s indications, how to administer, and its appearance?
4. Why would we hold Humulin NPH and nursing considerations?
5. What is Purified Protein Derivative (PPD), it’s indications, and how is it administered?
6. Why would we hold PPD and nursing considerations?

Answer 8

1. 3rd gen cephalosporin antibiotic. IM injection
2. allergy. May cause diarrhea.
3. Insulin. Indicated for diabetes, long acting. Subcutaneous injection. Cloudy appearance.
4. Low serum glucose, allergy. Call for signs of hypoglycemia
5. Skin test for TB. Intradermal injection.
6. allergy. Site must be checked in 48 hours. Redness requires further investigation.

Question 9

1. What is the appearance of regular insulin?
2. How is regular insulin administered?
3. Why would we hold regular insulin and what are nursing considerations?

Answer 9

1. clear.
2. subcutaneously.
3. allergy or hypoglycemia. Watch for signs of hypoglycemia.

Question 10

1. What is Heparin, its indications, and how is it administered?
2. Why would we hold Heparin and its nursing considerations?
3. What is Digoxin, its indications, and how is it administered?
4. Why would we hold Digoxin and nursing considerations?

Answer 10

1. Blood thinner. Subcutaneous
2. Allergy or upcoming surgery. Easier to bruise or bleed.
3. Antiarrhythmic. Heart failure, a-fib. Can be given PO, IV, or IM.
4. Low HR. Call for concerns.

Question 11

1. What is a normal HR?
2. What is normal Potassium (K+)?
3. What is a normal serum glucose?

Answer 11

1. 60-100 BPM
2. 3.5-5.1
3. 70-105

Question 12

1. • 7. What are the critical criteria for medication administration check off?

Answer 12

1. Identifies patient (right patient, right time)
2. Assess for allergies
3. Correctly verifies medication (right drug, right time)
4. Correctly verifies route and dosage (right route, right dose)
5. Aseptic prep of room, medication, and patient checks for expiration,
6. 3 caring behaviors
7. Aseptic administration at correct anatomical site