MEDICATION BASICS

Question 1

What is required by the state in order to administer prescribed medication?

Answer 1

1. Written statement from a medical professional detailing type, method, amount & time schedule for meds.
2. Written permission from parent/ guardian

Question 2

What must a written order contain?

Answer 2

1. Student name & DOB
2. Name of med. & reason it’s to be given
3. Amount/ dose of med.
4. Method of administration
5. Time/ schedule for when the med. Should be given
6. Signs/ symptoms that would necessitate giving the med.
7. Whether or not the med. can be self administered
8. Permission for school nurse to communicate with physician
9. State parents responsibility to provide meds and supplies
10. State parents responsibility to notify school of changes

Question 3

If there are any changes on giving a med, what must be recieved?

Answer 3

Physicians contact info and any changes must be done in writing by the physician.

Question 4

Where does a med order go?

Answer 4

In students individual med log. Each med requires its own form

Question 5

IHP

Answer 5

Individual Health Plan. Combining info from physician and parents. Created by nurse.

Question 6

How must meds be transferred?

Answer 6

Parents must transfer meds in original labeled container.

Question 7

Where should meds be stored at school?

Answer 7

Secure, locked location.

Question 8

What is different about controlled substance meds?

Answer 8

They must be counted and recorded

Question 9

What do we do with unused meds at the end of the school year?

Answer 9

Return to parent. Nurse should dispose of them, if necessary.

Question 10

Who can administer meds?

Answer 10

1. School nurse
2. Parent or non-district employee designated by parent
3. Student with self amin. order
4. Contacted nursing personnel
5. Licensed vocational nurses under school nurse supervision
6. Unlicensed school personnel (Teachers, teachers aides, etc.). Must be trained by and supervised by school nurse

Question 11

USP

Answer 11

Unlicensed School Personnel

Question 12

What should USP’s be?

Answer 12

• Capable and willing
• Selected by school amin
• Trained and supervised by school nurse
• certified in CPR

Question 13

What types of meds should USP’s not give?

Answer 13

• Dose calculations
• Nursing assessment
• Injection
  (Exceptions: EpiPen, other emergency injections)

Question 14

What are the steps when administering meds?

Answer 14

1. Focus on task
2. Use precautions: wear gloves when in contact with bodily fluids, wash hands before and after
3. Ask students name and compare to med. label & med order & container - confirm all the match
4. Check me log to make sure nobody else already gave meds as scheduled
5. Make sure it’s the correct time to give med.
6. Check dose & method of administration & give the correct amount
7. Watch student take med. with complete cup of water, if taken orally
8. Never leave med. unattended
9. Immediately record on med. log - time and dose of med. given

Question 15

What are the 5 rights?

Answer 15

Right patient
Right drug
Right dose
Right time
Right route (orally/ typically)

Question 16

What are the hand washing steps?

Answer 16

-Wash vigorously for 15 seconds
- Rinse well
- Dry thoroughly
- Turn water off with towel
- - use hand sanitizer if soap and water not available

Question 17

Oral Med. Administration Steps

Answer 17

1. Pour med into lid, then into students hand or a cup
   - Fluid med.: Cup on firm surface @ eye level to read. Med. lid face up when on counter. Med. label up to avoid running and ruining label. Wipe bottle before replacing cap, if meds are spilled on bottle.
2. Give cup of water to help camouflage med. taste and ensure meds. have been swallowed
3. Watch to ensure swallow and have lift tongue if not sure.
4. Return med. to cabinet and lock

Question 18

Typical Med. Administration Steps (Ointments, Savs)

Answer 18

1. Gather necessary equipment (gloves, tongue depressor, etc.)
2. Squeeze from tube or use tongue depressor
3. Spread small, even, smooth amount on bandage to be placed on skin, discard tongue depressor
4. Protect skin surface with a dressing
5. Remove gloves and wash hands
6. Return meds and lock cabinet

Question 19

Always contact nurse if what 4 issues arise with meds?

Answer 19

1. Student reacts to meds (hives, vomit)
2. Student refused to take meds.
3. Med. error is made
4. Student needs meds. By other routes

Question 20

What is required in order for a student to self administer medications at school?

Answer 20

1. Written medical order and parent permission must state that student is allowed.
2. School nurse should review procedures and monitor for safety of student’s self administering skills.
3. Student cannot share meds.

Question 21

How can students take medications on field trips?

Answer 21

Teachers are trained by the nurse to give meds on field trips. Meds must be in original bottles. Parents may give their child their meds but don’t have to go on the field trip.