Module 9: oral med

Question 1

What is the easiest and commonly used route for drug admin?

Answer 1

oral

Question 2

How should oral meds be given?

Answer 2

by mouth and swallowed with 60-100ml of fluid or crushed and mixed with custard or applesauce

Question 3

What is the difference between oral and parenteral?

Answer 3

slower onset of action and more prolonged effect than parenteral meds

Question 4

What position should the patient be in for oral administratin?

Answer 4

side-lying or upright to prevent aspiration

Question 5

What medications require specific assessment for administration?

Answer 5

Antihypertensive agents - require BP assessment
Insulin - Blood glucose levels to be assessed
Digoxin - apical HR to be auscultated
Opioids - resp. rates to be assessed

Question 6

What are the 7 steps in administering oral meds?

Answer 6

1) check accuracy and completeness of each medication administration record (MAR) or computer printout against the prescriber’s original medication order
2) Assess patient for any contraindications to receiving oral medications
3) Assess the patient’s medical history, history of allergies, medication history, and diet history
4) Gather info from the patient’s physical exam and lab data that may influence medication administration (vitals, blood glucose etc)
5) Assess patient’s knowledge regarding health and medication usage
6) Assess patient’s preferences for fluids (maintain fluid restriction when applicable)
7) Prepare medications (ABCDEFGHIJKL)
8) Administer medications

Question 7

What are the steps involved in preparation of medications? (ABCDEFGHIJKL)

Answer 7

A) Perform hand hygiene
B) If med cart is used, move it outside the room
C) unlock med cart or log onto the AMDS
D) Only prepare meds for one patient at a time
E) Select corret med from a stock supply or a unit-dose drawer. Compare the label on the medication with the MAR or the computer screen. CHECK EXP. DATE
F) Calculate the medication dose as necessary (dbl check and verify with another nurse)
G) If preparing a controlled substance, check the patient’s MAR or computer record to determin the last time the med was administered
H) To prepare tablets or capsules from floor stock, pour required amount into bottle cap, and transer to med cup.. (do not touch with your fingers)
I) To prepare unit-dose tablets or caps, place the packaged unity in med cup (do not remove wrapper)
J) Place all tablets or caps in 1 med cup with identification label attached, except for those that require pre-administration assessment
K) If the patient has difficulty swallowing, and liquid medications are not an option, use a pill-crushing device, such as a mortar and pestle to grind the pills. Before using a mortar and pestle, clean them.

Question 8

What are the 3 checks?

Answer 8

• When selecting the medication;
• Before pouring or preparing the medication; and
• Before putting the medication away.