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Administering Oral Medications
Definition: Oral medication is defined as the administration of medication by mouth.
Purposes:
- To prevent the disease and take supplement in order to maintain health
- To cure the disease
- To promote the health
- To give palliative treatment
- To give as a symptomatic treatment
Equipments required:
- Steel tray (1)
- Drinking water in container (1)
- Doctor’s prescription/medication ticket
- Medicine prescribed
- Medicine cup (1)
- Pill crusher/ tablet cutter if needed
- Kidney tray/ paper bag (to discard the waste)
Suggested Action Principles or Rationale
- Perform hand hygiene. To prevent the spread of infection
- Assemble all equipments. Organization facilitates accurate skill performances.
- Verify the medication order using the client’s medication ticket. Check any inconsistencies with Doctor’s order before administration.
To reduce the chance of medication errors.
- Prepare one client’smedication at a time Lessen the chances formedication errors
- Select the correct medication from the shelf or drawer and compare the label to the medication order. a. From the multidose bottle: Pour a pill from the multidose bottle into the container lid and transfer the correct amount to a medicine cup. b. Liquid medications: Measure liquid medications by holding the medicine cup at eye level and reading the level at the bottom of the meniscus. Pour from the bottle with the label uppermost and wipe the neck if necessary.
Comparing medication to the written order is a check that helps to prevent errors
Pouring medication into the lid eliminates handling it.
Holding a cup at eye level to pour a liquid gives the most accurate measurement.
Pouring away from the label and wiping the lip helps keep the label readable
- When you have prepared all medications on a tray, compare each one again to the medication order.
To check all medications three times to prevent errors
- Identify the client before giving themedication: a. Ask the client his/her name b. Check the name on the identification bracelet if available
To abide by 10 rights to prevent medication errors.
Checking the identification bracelet is the most reliable
- Assist the client to a comfortable position to take medications.
Sitting as upright as possible makes swallowing
medication easier and less likely to cause
aspiration
- Administer themedication: a. Offer water or fluids with the medication b. Open unit dose medication package and give the medication to the medicine cup c. Review the medication’s name and purpose d. Mix powder medications with fluids at the bedside if needed
Powdered forms of drugs may thicken when mixed with fluid. You should give them immediately.
- Remain with the client until he/she has taken all medication. Confirm the client’s mouth if needed.
Be sure that the client takes the medication. Leaving medication at the bedside is unsafe.
- Record medication administration on the appropriate form: Sign after you have given themedication
Documentation provides coordination of care and giving signature maintains professional accountability.
- Check the client within 30 minutes after giving medication.
To verify the client’s response to themedication.
Student: _____________________________________ Date of RD: _________________________
Year / Level: __________________________________ Rating: _____________________________
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS ACQUISITION DRILL
General Instruction: please check the rating item, which best corresponds to/reflects to the student’s performance of the procedure listed below. Procedure: Administering Oral Medications
_______________________________ ______________________________
Student’s Signature Nurse Evaluator’s Signature Date: ______________________ Date: _____________
Student: _____________________________________ Date of RD: _________________________
Year / Level: __________________________________ Rating: _____________________________
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST (Laboratory)
General Instruction: please check the rating item, which best corresponds to/reflects to the student’s performance of the procedure listed below.
Procedure: Administering Oral Medications
Steps
PERFORMANCE RATING
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Assemble all equipments.
- Verify the medication order using the client’s medication ticket. Check any inconsistencies with Doctor’s order before administration.
- Prepare one client’s medication at a time
- Select the correct medication from the shelf or drawer and compare the label to the medication order. a. From the multi-dose bottle: Pour a pill from the multi-dose bottle into the container lid and transfer the correct amount to a medicine cup.
b. Liquid medications: Measure liquid medications by holding the medicine cup at eye level and reading the level at the bottom of the meniscus. Pour from the bottle with the label uppermost and wipe the neck if necessary.
- When you have prepared all medications on a tray, compare each one again to the medication order.
- Identify the client before giving the medication: a. Ask the client his/her name
b. Check the name on the identification bracelet if available
- Assist the client to a comfortable position to take medications.
- Administer the medication:
