Medication Administration (Safety)

Question 1

When administering medications you should..?

Answer 1

Double check the providers orders

Question 2

Contact the provider if…?

Answer 2

The order is unclear, illegible, or transcribed incorrectly (either in computer or handwritten)

Question 3

Watch out for…?

Answer 3

Sound alike medications

Question 4

Know which medication is most important…?

Answer 4

Know the indication or therapeutic effect

Question 5

Side effects…?

Answer 5

Prioritize top 3, will see 45 per drug

ex. dizziness, patient teaching and interventions

Question 6

Interventions..?

Answer 6

Prioritize top 3

ex. IV need dilute and/or time frame

Question 7

Putting into MAR…?

Answer 7

Completed by provider, nurse, and pharmacy (combination)

Question 8

Checks and balances of MAR…?

Answer 8

Important with all disciplines to identify if there is a problem

Question 9

First and Second 5 rights check…?

Answer 9

• Patient drug route, time, and dose

- from automated dispensing cabinet

Question 10

What is mindfulness during med admin…?

Answer 10

No multitasking, correct dosage calculations

Question 11

What should you do when taking medication to patients room…?

Answer 11

• Only take one patients meds per trip
• Don’t set it down on the way
• Label any syringes/liquids (pt name)

Question 12

What should you do in the patient’s room

Answer 12

• Identify the patient 2 times (name/DOB)

- wash hands

Question 13

Complete the 3rd check…?

Answer 13

• When giving medication to patients

- Encourage the patient to know what they are taking

Question 14

What is considered the 6th right…?

Answer 14

• Documentation

- if not done properly, someone else might give an added dose

Question 15

How should you evaluate med pass…?

Answer 15

• Oral: within 1-2 hrs
• IV: within 5-15 mins
• Piggy Back: 20-30 mins
• IM: 30-45 mins

Question 16

Where medication errors occur most likely…?

Answer 16

• Lack of knowledge about the patient/medication

- Entering information in MAR

Question 17

What are the 6 rights of medication administration…?

Answer 17

• Right drug
• Right dose
• Right route
• Right time
• Right patient
• Right documentation

Question 18

Ways to prevent med errors…?

Answer 18

-Double check providers orders
-Check the medication administration record (MAR)
-Look up all medications before administering them
-Read drug insert and/or contact pharmacist if you still have questions
-Student nurses- check with clinical instructor
-Contact healthcare provider and/or charge nurse if still unsure
-Follow facility and institutional guidelines
-Never give meds you did not draw up or prepare yourself
-Follow the rights of safe medication administration
Follow up
-Never waste meds that you don’t know
#1 cause of error is lack of knowledge
#2- lack of info about the patient- don’t learn about allergies

Question 19

What is the process for safe med admin…?

Answer 19

• Know your patient history (hx), labs and assess your patient
• Follow the orders
• Perform the rights of safe med administration
• Triple check the medications against the MAR before the patient takes them- most important, read when you get out of cabinet, pour check again, check third when you take in patients room
• Reassess your patient afterwards and document

Question 20

How should you look up medications…?

Answer 20

• Drug name
• Action- what it does- important
• Onset- how quick it works
• Side effects- what are common
• Contradictions- only those that may affect patient
• Nursing interventions-how do you handle/administer/asses/ with this medication
• Down and dirty report

Question 21

How should you assess a patient for medication administration…?

Answer 21

• Perform assessment
• Check if the pt is able to swallow (pills)
• Check skin integrity if using topicals/dermals/injections
• Consider mental status- cognitive impairment
• For patient that have been clear for oral meds but have difficulty swallowing
• Cut scored pills only
• Crush if able
• Mix with thickened liquids or pudding/apple sauce
• Check to see if drug comes in a liquid form