Medications Flashcards
As per the CNO, what are the 3 standards of medication administration?
Authority – physicians order or medical directive (NP)
Competence – knowledge, skill, judgment to do it correctly
Safety – engaging in safe practices while administering medications; protocols & policies
What is the assessment portion of the nursing process in terms of medication?
Nurses use their knowledge, skill & judgment in the assessment of the client, the medications and the practice supports prior to administering medications
(Pain assessment / PQRSTU; what other meds are they on? Any medication interactions; allergies; can they swallow the pill? Or need to give meds another way?; timing of implementation)
Discuss the planning section of the nursing process in relation to medication.
Nurses are accountable for ensuring the accuracy, appropriateness & completeness of a client’s care plan in regard to medication orders
What is the implementation/evaluation of the nursing process in terms of medication?
Nurses prepare & administer medication in a safe, effective & ethical manner;
Nurses evaluate pt outcomes following medication administration & take appropriate steps to follow up
What are the 10 rights of patients receiving medication?
- The right medication
- The right dose
- The right patient
- The right route
- The right time & frequency
- The right documentation
- The right reason
- The right to refuse
- The right patient education
- The right evaluation
When receiving medications, the patient has the right to…
- Be informed of med’s name, purpose, action, potential undesired side effects
- Nurses & physicians assess medication history, including allergies & any herbal remedies
- Receive labeled meds safely, without discomfort, in accordance with rights of medication administration
- Not receive unnecessary medications
- Be informed whether meds are part of a research study
What are the pharmacological concepts of drugs?
Drug names – chemical, generic, trade
Classification – effects on body system, symptoms relieved, desired effects
Medication forms – solid, liquid, other oral forms, topical, parenteral, instillation into body cavities
What does the term ‘pharmacokinetics’ refer to?
Study of how medications…
- Enter the body
- Are absorbed & distributed to cells, tissues, organs
- Alter physiological function
Discuss the various routes of medication administration.
- Oral (sublingual, buccal)
- Parenteral (intradermal (ID), subcutaneous (SUBQ), intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV))
- Epidural
- Intrathecal, intraosseous, intraperitoneal, intrapleural, intra-arterial
- Topical
- Inhalation
- Intraocular
Discuss the different systems of medication measurement.
Metric system – mg
Solution – mL
Household system (empirical) – teaspoon
What metric system measurements are used in HC?
Weight – micrograms (mcg); milligrams (mg); grams (g); kilograms (kg)
Volume – liters (L); milliliters (mL)
***cc should not be used
Which household measurements are used in HC? (empirical measurements)
- Weight (ounces (oz), pounds (lbs))
- Volume (drops (gtt), teaspoons (tsp), tablespoons (tbsp), cups (c), pints (pt), quarts (qt))
Discuss metric system conversions.
- To change (kg) to (g): multiply # of (kg) by 1000, or move decimal point 3 places to the right
- To change (g) to (kg): divide # of (g) by 1000, or move decimal point 3 places to the left
Discuss equivalent measurements between metric & empirical.
Weight:
1 kg = 2.2 lbs
If converting kg to lbs, multiply by 2.2
If converting lbs to kg, divide by 2.2
Volume:
15 gtt = 1 mL
1 tsp = 5 mL
1 tbsp = 15 mL ; 2 tbsp = 30 mL
1 cup = 250 mL
1 pt = 480 mL (or approximately 0.5 L)
1 qt = 960 mL (or approx. 1L)
What is the standard medication calculation formula?
(D ÷ H) × V = x
D – dosage ordered/amount you wish to give
H – on-hand dose, dosage strength available or “on hand”
V – vehicle or amount on hand; unit form that the dose on hand is available
x – unknown, the amount needed to give the dose ordered
What is the rounding rule for medication calculation?
Rounding rule: must round final answer to nearest tenth (1 decimal place) for doses greater than 1 mL or 1 mg; must round final answer to nearest hundredth (2 decimal places) for doses less than 1 mL or 1 mg
