Medication Administration Flashcards
Generic Name
official name
ex. ibuprofen
Trade Name
brand name; companies
ex. Motrin
Nonprescription medications
over the counter meds
without prescription
ex. cold medications
interreact with prescription medications
Prescription medications
dispended by a pharmacists
who can legally prescribe medications
physician, PA, NP, dentist
Medication Administration Record (MAR)
an inclusive list of all medications that is ordered for the patient (routine, as needed, one time, etc)
Routine order
administered until the health care provider discontinues the order or until a prescribed number of doses or days have occurred
Pm order
given only when the patient requires it. Use is determined by objective and subjective assessment and clinical judgement of the nurse
One-time or on-call order
given only once at a specified time, often before a diagnostic or surgical procedure
Stat order
given immediately and only once in a single dose; frequently given for emergency situations
Now order
used when a medication is needed quickly but not as immediately as a star medication; given one time
Oral
by mouth
Buccal
inside mouth against cheek
Sublingual
under the tongue
Sublingual
under the tongue
Parenteral
injection or infusion
Topical
on skin or mucous membrnae
External
NG tube, PEG tube, intestinal tube
Most common medication route
oral
Advantage of oral administration
safest, most convenient, least expensive
Disadvantage of oral administration
slower onset of action - have to ensure it was swallowed (pocketing)
What tablets should never be crushed
enteric-coated or sustained release
Oral admin: sublingual
under the tongue to dissolve
don’t eat or drink
Oral admin: buccal
placed against the mucous membrane of the cheek until dissolved
not be chewed, swallowed, or taken with liquids
oral admin: enteral route
can be given via nasogastric, gastric, and jejunal tubes - must be ordered that route
Topical administration sites
eyes, ears, nose, rectum, vaginal lungs
Tropical administration must knows
absorption is affected by vascularity
Cleanse skin before applying
use gloves
Transdermal patch
designed to absorb through skin and deliver medication slowly for systemic effect
Transdermal patch must know
Rotate patch placement sites
Remove current patch before
apply to clean, hairless (upper arm, back, chest)
Apply gentle pressure (don’t massage)
Inhaled medication administration
taken into body via respiratory tract
Rinse mouth after receiving
steroids to prevent oral fungal infection
Ophthalmic administration
treat eye irritation, infection, or disorders
Otic instillation
treat ear infections
soften earwax to ease removal
What temperature should eardrops be at
room temperature
Vaginal medications
creams, foams, tablets, liquids
infection, itching, for surgery
refrigerate before use
no tampons
Rectal Medication
effects can be local (laxative) or systemic (antiemetic)
refrigerate until use
place above internal anal sphincter and against mucous membranes
Parenteral medication administration
injecting into tissue, muscle, or a vein
absorption is faster
risk of tissue damage
Luer-lock syringe
can be directly attached to access port of IV tubing or saline lock or can “twist on” needle to secure
Standard syringe
3,5,10 mL
0.5 to 3 inches
18,21,21,25 gauge
Tuberculin Syringe
1 ml
0.5 to 0.625 inches
26 to 28 gauge
Insulin syringe
30 units, 50 units, 100 unit capacity
4mm - 12.7 mm length
26 to 30-gauge
Needle gauge sizes biggest to smallest (21 G, 22G, 18 G, 25G)
The smaller the number bigger the gauge
18,21,22,25
Parenteral medication preparation
ampules and vials
powdered medication
prefilled cartridge or syringe
mixing medications in one syringe
What significantly decreases needlestick injuries
needleless delivery system
Intradermal (ID)
shallow injection into the dermal layer just under the epidermis
Subcutaneous (subcut or SQ)
injection into the subcutaneous tissue just bellow the skin
Intramuscular (IM)
injected into a muscle of adequate size to accommodate the amount and type of medication
Intravenous (IV)
injection or infusion directly into the bloodstream through a vein
Intradermal administration
tb shot
inner forearm, upper arm
15 degree angle
Subcutaneous administration
in fat tissue
insulin and heparin
insert at 90 degree angle (thin patient 45 degree angle)
Intramuscular administration
absorbed rapidly b/c higher vascularity
arm, side leg, front of leg
no not do aspiration
Z-track technique
seals the medication into the muscle tissue, with no tracking of medication into the subcutaneous tissue when the needle is withdrawn
Intravenous administration
used when rapid drug effect is needed
catheter inserted into a vein
deliver large fluid volumes
IV disadvantage
cost, difficulty maintaining access into vein, increased risk of infection, leaking our of vein into tissue, vein inflammation
Six Rights
Right patient, medication, dose, route, time, documentations
Right Patient
check ID band
ask to state name and DOB (not room)
Right medication
always repeat back verbal orders
review abbreviations
Right dose
check range
calculate if necessary
Right route
can’t sub one route for another without an order
Right time
administer within 30 mins before or after designated time
time with meals if needed
Right Documentation
MOST important
If never documented didn’t happen
3 Checks - 1st Check
as you are pulling the medication
3 Checks - 2nd Check
As you are preparing the medication
3 Checks - 3rd Check
at the bedside
