Question

Medication Administration

1. Describe rules and responsibilities regarding drug administration and the initial preparation for drug administration.

2. Discuss the procedures for administering oral medication and parenteral.

3. What are the special considerations required for medication administration to pediatric, pregnant, breast-feeding and geriatric patients?

Answer 1

1.Rules and Responsibilities of drug administration includes.

Right drug.

As nurse we should have adequate knowledge about the drugs which sound similar to identify the drug accurately. Before administration we should check the container 3 times. 1st when we take the container from shelf, 2 nd when we take medicine from the container, 3rd when we replace the container.

We should never administer any unlabled drug, we should always prepare drug by ourselves, when we are administring drug prepared by others we should make sure about everything like strength of the drug, route etc.

Right amount.

Giving right amount of drug is rather important, usually drug doses are calculated depending on the patient's weight many times and mentioned by physician. We should ensure that we administer correct amount by measuring the drug carefully and accurately to avoid overdose and underdose. It's really important to administer correct dose to obtain the required out of the treatment. We should also discard or store the drug according to the institutional protocol.

Right patient

Every institution has its own protocol to identify the patient, we must follow that.

First we must identify the patient from the record, with their name, patient identification number, date of birth. Then check patient arm band for the same. In case of conscious patient we can ask them their name, Date of birth if needed and confirm the patient.

Right time

Usually the physician who prescribe the drug mentions the time at which drug is to be administered, this is really important in case of radiological procedures. We should not leave the patient unattended after giving a new medicine , we should observe for any allergic reaction.

Right route

Physician prescribing the drug mentions the route clearly and we should make sure that the drug is given accordingly as it effects the up take drug by the body.

INITIAL PREPARATION.

We should ensure every thing is done properly and accurately during drug administration.

We should read the instructions clearly and identify the drug and dosage.

Then pick the drug and prepare for administration. Make sure we prepare drug for one patient at a time to avoid any confusions.

Then we should identify the patient correctly and prepare the patient by explaining them about the procedure .

Sight preparation in case of administration of drug by parentral route. See the position of patient in case of oral administration. Then administration of drug.

Observing for any allergic reactions in case of administering the drug for first time.

2 . PROCEDURE FOR ORAL AND PARENTRAL ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS.

1 . Wash hands thoroughly.

2.Place the drug directly into the medicine cup or to a clean paper towel without touching with hands.

In case of parentaral administration prepare the drug. Take it into the appropriate syringe.

3.We should read the label accurately.

4.Identify the patient.

5.Exlpain procedure clearly to the patient. Like route of administration and purpose of administration of that particular drug.

6.Elevation of patient's head in case of oral administration and preparation of site in case of parentaral administration.

7.In case of oral administration provide water or any other liquid that can be given to aid in swallowing.

8.Allow patient to take the drug by oral route or give the injection in case of parentaral route.

9.Record the things appropriately and accurately according to the protocol.