Medication Administration Flashcards
Major Principles of Medication Administration
- Verify MD orders
- Know the drug action, dose, route, side effects and why the patient is receiving drug
- Utilize the nursing process to determine continue use of the drug and evaluate patient’s response to drug
- Provide patient teaching
6 Rights of Drug Administration
- Right drug
- Right dose
- Right time
- Right route
- Right patient
- Right documentation
Route of Administration: Enteral
Any drug that is administered through the alimentary canal
- Oral
- Buccal
- Sublingual
- Rectal
- Via nasogastic or gastrostomy tubes
Behaviors to Avoid When Giving Medications
Do not be distracted
Do not give or hold meds dispensed by others
Do not pour from containers without labels or difficult to read labels
Do not use expired drugs
Do not guess about dosages
Do not leave at bedside or unattended
Do not give if the patient has concerns about the drug
Route of Administration: Parenteral
Any drug given by injection
- Intramuscular (IM): vaccine
- Intradermal: PPD
- Subcutaneous: insulin
- Intravenous (IV)
Oral Route
By mouth Sublingual (under the tongue) Buccal (side of cheek) Via feeding tube (NG or GT) Special considerations for elderly and children: crushing the medication, giving a different form of the medication or putting the medication in something (ie. applesauce)
Oral Medications
Most common route
Absorbs into the stomach or small intestines
Contraindications: NPO status, difficultly swallowing (nausea/vomiting), unconscious patient, or absent gag reflex
Oral Meds: Solid Forms
Can be pill, tablets, or capsules
May be scored
Enteric coated: delays absorption into the small intestine and CANNOT be crushed
Sustained release (releases over a period of time)
Liquid Medications
Syrups
Pour into a calibrated cup with label in palm
Make sure the patient is in a upright position
Bottom of the meniscus line is the desire dose
Measure at eye level
Wipe the rim of bottle with clean paper towel before replacing the cap
Use a needless syringe for dosage under 10 mL
Administration of Oral Meds
Assess the pt ability to swallow
For children ask the caregiver if the child takes pills or liquid form (place in back of cheek)
For elderly, crush the medication
Assess the patient 30-40 minutes after administration
Do not allow the patient to eat or drink when giving sublingual or buccal for 15-20 minutes
N/G & Gastrostomy Medication Administration
Check with pharmacist for liquid form (prevents clogging of tube)
Check if the medication can be crushed; if so crush into a fine powder and place in at least 30 mL of warm water
Do not administer whole or undissolved medication
Assess the tube placement
Make sure you are getting the juices from the tube
Put 15-30 mL (5-10 mL for children) of water into a syringe to flush tube
Give medications 1 at a time and flush in between
Flush the tube after all medications have been given
If the tube is connected to suction, disconnect and keep the tube clamped to 30 minutes to allow absorption
Choosing the Size of Needle and Syringe
Syringe size is determined by type and amount of medication
Size and Gauges of Needles:
IM
Sub Q
IM: 1-1.5 inch & 19-23 gauge
Sub Q: 3/8-5/8 inch & 25 gauge
*The smaller the number, the larger the gauge
Aseptic Technique: Needles
Wash your hands before preparing and administering
Wear gloves when administering injections
Needles and the inside of syringes remain sterile
Clean the top of the vial with alcohol for at least 10 seconds
Cleanse the patients skin with alcohol
Needle Safety
NEVER RECAP A USED NEEDLE! PLACE IN THE SHARPS CONTAINER!
Recap the sterile need with the scoop method
Medication Vial
Vial: a small glass or plastic container with a self sealing rubber top or cap
May be single or multi dose
May be liquid or powder
Medication Vial: Powder
If a powder then it must be deluded with sterile water or sterile saline
Follow the instructions, add diluent and gently roll under powder is dissolved
Wipe the rubber cap with alcohol before inserting needle
AIR MUST BE ADDED FIRST TO THE VIAL! (Add as much air as amount of liquid needed)