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Oral Medication

1. This document outlines the process for administering oral medication including assessing the client, preparing the medication, administering it properly, documenting, and disposing of supplies. 2. Key steps include verifying the client's identity and medication orders, preparing the correct dosage, explaining the purpose and effects to the client, administering at the right time, and documenting properly. 3. Safety is emphasized through checking for allergies, preparing medications carefully and separately, monitoring the client, and disposing of supplies appropriately.

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Ana Vanissa Bendol
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© © All Rights Reserved
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157 views27 pages

Oral Medication

1. This document outlines the process for administering oral medication including assessing the client, preparing the medication, administering it properly, documenting, and disposing of supplies. 2. Key steps include verifying the client's identity and medication orders, preparing the correct dosage, explaining the purpose and effects to the client, administering at the right time, and documenting properly. 3. Safety is emphasized through checking for allergies, preparing medications carefully and separately, monitoring the client, and disposing of supplies appropriately.

Uploaded by

Ana Vanissa Bendol
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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administering

Oral Medication

PURPOSE
To provide a medication that has systemic
effects or local effects on the gastrointestinal
tract or both (see specific drug action)
ASSESSMENT
Allergies to medication(s)
Client’s ability to swallow the medication Presence of
vomiting or diarrhea that would interfere with the ability
to absorb the medication
Specific drug action, side effects, interactions, and
adverse reactions
Client’s knowledge of and learning needs about the
medication
EQUIPMENT:
Disposable medication cups: small paper or plastic cups for
tablets and capsules, waxed or plastic calibrated medication
cups for liquids
Pill crusher/cutter

Straws to administer medications


that may discolor the teeth or to
facilitate the ingestion of liquid
medication for certain clients

Drinking glass
water or juice

Soft foods such as applesauce or


pudding to use for crushed
medications for clients who may
choke on liquids (OPTIONAL)
MEDICINE TRAY
10 RIGHTS OF MEDICATION
1. RIGHT MEDICATION
2. RIGHT DOSE
3. RIGHT TIME
4. RIGHT ROUTE
5. RIGHT CLIENT
6. RIGHT CLIENT EDUCATION
7. RIGHT DOCUMENTATION
8. RIGHT TO REFUSE
9. RIGHT ASSESSMENT
10. RIGHT EVALUATION
preparATions:
Check the patient's chart for physician's order and any history
of allergies. Locate the corresponding ticket and compare it
with the doctor's order

Know the reason why the client is receiving the medication,


the drug classification, contraindications, usual dosage range,
side effects, and nursing considerations for administering and
evaluating the intended outcomes for the medication.
Check the MAR.
Check for the drug name, dosage, frequency, route of
administration, and expiration date for administering the
medication, if appropriate. Rationale: Orders for certain
medications

Verify the client’s ability to take medication orally. •


Determine whether the client can swallow, is NPO, is
nauseated or vomiting, has gastric suction, or has diminished
or absent bowel sounds.
Performance
Perform hand hygiene and observe other appropriate infection
control procedures.
Unlock the dispensing system.
Obtain the appropriate medication.
Read the MAR and take the appropriate medication from the
shelf, drawer, or refrigerator.The medication may be
dispensed in a bottle, box, or unit-dose package
Performance
Compare the label of the medication container or unitdose
package against the order on the MAR or computer
printout.

Check the expiration date of the medication. Return


expired medications to the pharmacy.

Use only medications that have clear, legible labels.


Performance
Prepare the medication.
Calculate the medication dosage accurately.
Prepare the correct amount of medication for the required
dose, without contaminating the medication.
While preparing the medication, recheck each prepared drug
and container with the MAR again
Tablets or Capsules
Place packaged unit-dose capsules or tablets directly
into the medicine cup. Do not remove the medication
from the package until at the bedside.

If using a stock container, pour the required number


into the bottle cap, and then transfer the medication to
the disposable cup without touching the tablets.
Keep narcotics and medications that require specific
assessments, such as pulse measurements, respiratory
rate or depth, or blood pressure, separate from the
others.
Tablets or Capsules
Break only scored tablets if necessary to obtain
the correct dosage. Use a cutting or splitting
device if needed. Check the agency policy as to
how unusedportions of a medication are to be
discarded.
If the client has difficulty swallowing, check if
the medication can be crushed.

If it is acceptable, crush the tablets to a fine


powder with a pill crusher or between two
medication cups. Then, mix the powder with a
small amount of soft food (e.g., custard,
applesauce).
Tablets or Capsules
Liquid Medication
Thoroughly mix the medication before pouring. Discard any
medication that has changed color or turned cloudy.
Remove the cap and place it upside down on the countertop.
Liquid Medication
Place the medication cup on a flat surface at eye level and fill it to the
desired level, using the bottom of the meniscus (crescent-shaped upper
surface of a column of liquid) to align with the container scale.
Liquid Medication
Hold the bottle so the label is next to your palm and pour the
medication away from the label

Before capping the bottle, wipe the lip with a paper towel.
Liquid Medication
When giving small amounts of liquids (e.g., less than 5 mL),
prepare the medication in a sterile syringe without the needle
or in a specially designed oral syringe. Label the syringe with
the name of the medication and the route (PO).

Keep unit-dose liquids in their package and open them at the


bedside.
CONTINUATION OF PROCEDURE:

Provide for client privacy


Prepare the client.
Introduce self and verify the client’s identity using agency
protocol.
Assist the client to a sitting position or, if not possible, to a side-lying
position.

If not previously assessed, take the required assessment measures, such as pulse
and respiratory rates or blood pressure. Take the apical pulse rate before
administering digitalis preparations. Take blood pressure before giving
antihypertensive drugs. Take the respiratory rate prior to administering narcotics
CONTINUATION OF PROCEDURE:
Explain the purpose of the medication and how it will help,
using language that the client can understand. Include
relevant information about effects; for example, tell the
client receiving a diuretic to expect an increase in urine
output.

Administer the medication at the correct time. • Take the medication


to the client within the period of 30 minutes before or after the
scheduled time. • Give the client sufficient water or preferred juice to
swallow the medication. Before using juice, check for any food and
medication incompatibilities.
CONTINUATION OF PROCEDURE:
If the client is unable to hold the pill cup, use the pill cup to
introduce the medication into the client’s mouth, and give
only one tablet or capsule at a time.

If an older child or adult has difficulty swallowing, ask the client to


place the medication on the back of the tongue before taking the water

If the medication has an objectionable taste, ask the client to


suck a few ice chips beforehand, or give the medication with
juice, applesauce, or bread if there are no contraindications.
CONTINUATION OF PROCEDURE:

If the client says that the medication you are about to give is different
from what the client has been receiving, do not give the medication
without first checking the original order.

Stay with the client until all medications have been swallowed. The nurse
may need to check the client’s mouth to ensure that the medication was
swallowed and not hidden inside the cheek.
CONTINUATION OF PROCEDURE:

Document each medication given.


Record the medication given, dosage, time, any
complaints or assessments of the client, and your
signature.
If medication was refused or omitted, record this fact on
the appropriate record; document the reason, when
possible, and the nurse’s actions according to agency
policy
CONTINUATION OF PROCEDURE:

Dispose of all supplies appropriately.


Replenish stock (e.g., medication cups) and return the
cart to the appropriate place.
Discard used disposable supplies.

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