Pharmacology for Nursing Students

Principles of Drug Administration

• To provide safe drug administration, the nurse should practice the "rights" of drug administration, which are:
  • The right client
  • The right drug
  • The right dose
  • The right time
  • The right route
• Five additional rights are essential to professional nursing practice:
  • The right assessment
  • The right documentation
  • The client's right to education
  • The right evaluation
  • The client's right to refuse

The Right Client

• The right client needs to be ensured by checking the wristband and by checking a second piece of identification, such as a picture on the chart or a case number that is both on the chart and wristband.
• This must be done before any medication is administered.

The Right Drug

• The right drug means the client receives the drug that was prescribed by a physician (MD), dentist (DDS), podiatrist (DPM), or an advanced practice nurse with the license to write prescriptions (APRN).
• The use of computerized systems to record medications has helped to decrease medication errors.
• If there is a phone order or verbal order, it must be cosigned by the prescribing physician within 24 hours.

Components of a Drug Order

• Date and time the order is written
• Drug name (generic is preferred)
• Drug dosage
• Route of administration
• Frequency and duration of administration (e.g., x 7 days, x 3 doses)
• Any special instructions for withholding or adjusting dosage based on nursing assessment, drug effectiveness, or laboratory results

Medication Safety Tips

• Avoid distractions, which can cause around 45-50% of medication errors.
• Focus on preparing and administering medications, and ask colleagues to handle patients' concerns during this time.
• Know your "rights" of drug administration to ensure safe medication administration.