How to Administer Oral How to Administer Oral MedicationsMedications

The Six Right’sThe Six Right’s

1.1. Right MedicationRight Medication

2.2. Right patientRight patient

3.3. Right DosageRight Dosage

4.4. Right Route (oral, IV, IM)Right Route (oral, IV, IM)

5.5. Right TimeRight Time

6.6. Right documentationRight documentation

Before Administering Any Medication Check:

PreparationPreparation

Wash Hands before preparing Wash Hands before preparing medicationsmedications

PreparationPreparation

• Check each medication Check each medication against doctor’s orderagainst doctor’s order

• Know the side effectsKnow the side effects• Prepare medications Prepare medications

for one patient at a for one patient at a timetime

PreparationPreparation

• Select proper medicationSelect proper medication• Compare with doctor’s order againCompare with doctor’s order again• Check expiration datesCheck expiration dates• Perform calculations if necessaryPerform calculations if necessary• Check each medication as it is Check each medication as it is

preparedprepared

TabletsTablets

• Place unit dose-packaged meds in Place unit dose-packaged meds in med cupmed cup

• Pour tablets into bottle cap and then Pour tablets into bottle cap and then into med cupinto med cup

• If necessary, break only scored If necessary, break only scored tabletstablets

LiquidsLiquids• Hold label of bottle against palmHold label of bottle against palm

• Read dosage at eye level (bottom of Read dosage at eye level (bottom of the meniscusthe meniscus

• Wipe lip of the bottle with paper Wipe lip of the bottle with paper towel before replacing lidtowel before replacing lid

Identify the PatientIdentify the Patient

1.1. Check patient id bandCheck patient id band

2.2. Ask the patient his/her nameAsk the patient his/her name or or

3.3. Verify patient’s id with a staff Verify patient’s id with a staff member who knows patientmember who knows patient

3 correct methods

AdministrationAdministration

• Carefully transport medications to Carefully transport medications to bedsidebedside

• Keep medications in sight at all timesKeep medications in sight at all times• See patient See patient receives receives

medication medication at correct time at correct time

AdministrationAdministration• Check patient’s allergiesCheck patient’s allergies

• Assist patient to upright positionAssist patient to upright position• Remain with patient until each Remain with patient until each

medication has been followedmedication has been followed

AdministrationAdministration

Wash Hands after adminstering Wash Hands after adminstering medicationsmedications

DocumentationDocumentation

• Record each medication in patient’s Record each medication in patient’s chartchart

• Record if medication was refusedRecord if medication was refused• Record if patient’s condition Record if patient’s condition

warranted omitting medicationwarranted omitting medication

Check patient after 30Check patient after 30

Minutes to verify his/herMinutes to verify his/her

Response to medicationResponse to medication