Administering Medications in Nursing: Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing

Administering Medications

• Identify the client using at least two patient identifiers
• Inform the client of the intended action, potential side effects, and adverse effects
• Administer the drug, provide assistive interventions as needed, and record the drug administered
• Evaluate the client's response to the drug

Ten “Rights” of Accurate Medication Administration

• Right medication
• Right dose
• Right time
• Right route
• Right client
• Right client education
• Right documentation

Developmental Considerations

• Growth and development are crucial in administering medication to very young and very old patients
• Infants and children have the right to refuse, right assessment, and right evaluation
• Medications for infants and children are often provided in sweetened liquid form and should not be mixed with milk or orange juice
• Be honest with children about injections hurting

Oral Medications

• NPO stands for “nothing by mouth” or Latin “nil per os”
• Oral is the most common route, preferred unless there is a digestive problem
• Tablets can be divided using a cutting device
• Liquid medications can be poured from a bottle

Nasogastric and Gastrostomy Medications

• Check with a pharmacist for liquid form availability
• Check if medication can be crushed
• Use a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube as prescribed

Adding Medications to Intravenous Fluid Containers

• Label the IV infusion and IV tubing change
• Rotate the IV bag to distribute the medication

Administering Intravenous Medications Using IV Push

• Insert the needle through the diaphragm of an IV lock
• Use a watch to time the rate of medication injection

Inhaled Medications

• Use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) to deliver medication to the lungs
• Client teaching includes:
  • Remove mouthpiece cap
  • Exhale comfortably
  • Hold canister upside down
  • Press down once and inhale slowly and deeply through the mouth
  • Hold breath for 10 seconds or as long as possible
• Remove inhaler away from mouth after use
• Exhale slowly through pursed lips
• Repeat inhalation if ordered
• Rinse mouth with tap water
• Clean MDI mouthpiece after each use