MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION – NURSING NOTES
1. Definition
Medication administration is the process by which nurses prepare and give prescribed drugs to
patients, ensuring safety, accuracy, and adherence to legal and ethical standards.
2. Rights of Medication Administration
Always follow the 10 Rights to ensure safe medication delivery:
1. Right Patient – Use two identifiers (e.g., name, DOB)
2. Right Medication – Verify prescription and label
3. Right Dose – Confirm amount per order
4. Right Route – Oral, IV, IM, subcutaneous, etc.
5. Right Time – Check frequency and timing
6. Right Documentation – Record immediately after administration
7. Right Reason – Understand why the med is prescribed
8. Right Response – Evaluate effectiveness
9. Right Education – Inform patient about the drug
10. Right to Refuse – Patient has autonomy
3. Common Routes of Administration
Route Description
Oral (PO) Swallowed, most common and convenient
Sublingual Under the tongue, rapid absorption
Topical Applied to skin or mucous membranes
Inhalation Breathed into lungs
Intramuscular (IM) Into muscle (e.g., deltoid, vastus lateralis)
Subcutaneous (SC) Into subcutaneous tissue (e.g., insulin)
Intravenous (IV) Directly into vein
Rectal/Vaginal Suppositories, creams, or solutions
4. Nurse's Responsibilities
Verify medication orders with MAR (Medication Administration Record)
Perform 3 label checks:
1. Definition
Medication administration is the process by which nurses prepare and give prescribed drugs to
patients, ensuring safety, accuracy, and adherence to legal and ethical standards.
2. Rights of Medication Administration
Always follow the 10 Rights to ensure safe medication delivery:
1. Right Patient – Use two identifiers (e.g., name, DOB)
2. Right Medication – Verify prescription and label
3. Right Dose – Confirm amount per order
4. Right Route – Oral, IV, IM, subcutaneous, etc.
5. Right Time – Check frequency and timing
6. Right Documentation – Record immediately after administration
7. Right Reason – Understand why the med is prescribed
8. Right Response – Evaluate effectiveness
9. Right Education – Inform patient about the drug
10. Right to Refuse – Patient has autonomy
3. Common Routes of Administration
Route Description
Oral (PO) Swallowed, most common and convenient
Sublingual Under the tongue, rapid absorption
Topical Applied to skin or mucous membranes
Inhalation Breathed into lungs
Intramuscular (IM) Into muscle (e.g., deltoid, vastus lateralis)
Subcutaneous (SC) Into subcutaneous tissue (e.g., insulin)
Intravenous (IV) Directly into vein
Rectal/Vaginal Suppositories, creams, or solutions
4. Nurse's Responsibilities
Verify medication orders with MAR (Medication Administration Record)
Perform 3 label checks:
