Medication Administration for Ms. Luck

• Ms. Luck, in her 40s with Long Covid symptoms, lives alone and requires assistance with medication administration, and has recently developed Conjunctivitis.
• The DOT is to assist Ms. Luck with her 0800 medications per the agency's care plan.
• Ms. Luck's 0800 medications include:
• Salbutamol (Ventolin) MDI 2 puffs
• Budesonide (Pulmicort) MDI 2 puffs
• Polysporin (antibiotic) eye drops 1 drop to Right Eye
• Documentation on the MAR should occur immediately following medication administration.
• Special considerations for medication administration include:
• Give medication with water only
• Use an Aero Chamber/Spacer for MDI administration
• Provide oral care after MDI administration

Eye Drop Administration

• Apply gentle pressure to the inner corner of the eye for 30-60 seconds after administering eye drops to prevent medication drainage into the nasal passage and promote absorption.
• Administer eye drops into the lower eyelid while asking the patient to look up.
• Apply a thin amount of eye ointment along the inside of the lower eyelid from inner to outer corner.
• Ask the patient to slowly blink to spread the ointment evenly.

MDI Administration

• When assisting with an MDI, wait 30-60 seconds between puffs of the same medication to allow for better absorption of the first dose.
• If administering different medications via MDI, wait 2-5 minutes between inhalers to allow time for the first medication to take effect.
• Use an Aero Chamber/Spacer with an MDI to help deliver the medication to the lungs properly.
• If the Aero Chamber/Spacer squeals or whistles during inhalation, it indicates that the breathing is too fast.
• Slow, deep breathing promotes better medication absorption into the lungs.
• Clients need to rinse their mouth after using an MDI to:
• Reduce oral thrush, fungal infection, or oral candidiasis
• Reduce dryness and irritation in the mouth and throat
• Wash out medication stuck in the mouth and throat

Lozenges

• Lozenges can be medication if they contain medicine, such as pain killers or relievers.
• Candy lozenges are not medications because they lack medicinal ingredients.

Assisting vs Administering Medication

• Assisting with medications involves helping the client take their own medication.
• Administering medications involves directly giving medication to the client when they cannot take it themselves.

Assisting Ms. Luck with her 0800 medications, including Salbutamol, Budesonide, and Polysporin eye drops. Follow specific instructions such as using an Aero Chamber for inhalers and applying pressure after eye drop administration. Document on the MAR immediately after.