What are the essential components of a medication order?
1. patient name
2. date and time order is written
3. name of drug
4. dosage of drug
5. route of administration
6. frequency of administration
7. signature of person writing the order
Medication order
What are the types of medication orders?
1. Standing order
2. PRN order
3. Single order
4. Stat order
A is continuous until discontinued or cancelled.
standing order
Lasix 40 mcg po daily is an example of a order.
standing
A is an as needed medical order.
PRN order
Demerol 50 mg IM every 4 hours PRN for pain is an example of a
order.
PRN
, orders are typically given prior to surgery.
Single
An example of a is "give morphine sulfate 8
mg IM on call for surgery."
single order
are immediately given.
Stat orders
An example of a order is atropine 1 mg IVP stat.
stat
What is the nurse's role in administering medications?
1. correct transcription and communication of orders
2. accurate calculation measurement, and administration techniques
3. recording drug administration (only after administering)
4. patient and family teaching
What should the nurse consider when giving a new medication to a patient?
check the math, make sure weight of patient is considered with patient
What can the nurse do to teach patients and family members about
administering medications?
1. print instruction sheets
Where should the nurse NOT leave a medication?
by the patient's bedside
What are the 3 checks that a nurse should follow prior to administering a
medication?
1. read label
2. compare medication with MAR
3. reread the label when preparing the medication
MAR
, Medical Administration Record
List the six rights in regard to medication administration.
1. the right drug
2. right dosage
3. right patient
4. right route
5. right time
6. right documentation
What is a precaution for checking the right drug?
Be careful of ambiguous drug names
How should a nurse check the right dosage amount?
Dosage calculations need to be accurate
How should a nurse check that they have the right patient?
Check identification bands
What is the hedge factor allowed in checking the right time?
30 minutes
What are the guidelines for administering medications?
1. Maintain asepsis
2. NEVER administer medication prepared by someone else
3. CONCENTRATE
4. Use appropriate measuring devices
5. Avoid waste
6. NEVER leave medication unattended
7. NEVER chart a med as give until given
8. Check allergies
9. NEVER repeat oral medications if a patient vomits
10. Be aware of situations that may contraindicate administration of the medication
11. LISTEN to the patient
True or False: A nurse can administer medications prepared by another nurse.
False, do not administer meds unless you prepare them
1. patient name
2. date and time order is written
3. name of drug
4. dosage of drug
5. route of administration
6. frequency of administration
7. signature of person writing the order
Medication order
What are the types of medication orders?
1. Standing order
2. PRN order
3. Single order
4. Stat order
A is continuous until discontinued or cancelled.
standing order
Lasix 40 mcg po daily is an example of a order.
standing
A is an as needed medical order.
PRN order
Demerol 50 mg IM every 4 hours PRN for pain is an example of a
order.
PRN
, orders are typically given prior to surgery.
Single
An example of a is "give morphine sulfate 8
mg IM on call for surgery."
single order
are immediately given.
Stat orders
An example of a order is atropine 1 mg IVP stat.
stat
What is the nurse's role in administering medications?
1. correct transcription and communication of orders
2. accurate calculation measurement, and administration techniques
3. recording drug administration (only after administering)
4. patient and family teaching
What should the nurse consider when giving a new medication to a patient?
check the math, make sure weight of patient is considered with patient
What can the nurse do to teach patients and family members about
administering medications?
1. print instruction sheets
Where should the nurse NOT leave a medication?
by the patient's bedside
What are the 3 checks that a nurse should follow prior to administering a
medication?
1. read label
2. compare medication with MAR
3. reread the label when preparing the medication
MAR
, Medical Administration Record
List the six rights in regard to medication administration.
1. the right drug
2. right dosage
3. right patient
4. right route
5. right time
6. right documentation
What is a precaution for checking the right drug?
Be careful of ambiguous drug names
How should a nurse check the right dosage amount?
Dosage calculations need to be accurate
How should a nurse check that they have the right patient?
Check identification bands
What is the hedge factor allowed in checking the right time?
30 minutes
What are the guidelines for administering medications?
1. Maintain asepsis
2. NEVER administer medication prepared by someone else
3. CONCENTRATE
4. Use appropriate measuring devices
5. Avoid waste
6. NEVER leave medication unattended
7. NEVER chart a med as give until given
8. Check allergies
9. NEVER repeat oral medications if a patient vomits
10. Be aware of situations that may contraindicate administration of the medication
11. LISTEN to the patient
True or False: A nurse can administer medications prepared by another nurse.
False, do not administer meds unless you prepare them
