10 Rights of Medication

• Right Medication

  • the medication given was the medication ordered
  • check the expiration date
  • make sure medications, especially antibiotics are reviewed regularly
• Right Dose

  • The dose ordered is appropriate for the client.
  • Give special attention if the calculation indicates multiple pills or tablets or a large quantity of a liquid medication.
  • This can be an indication that the math calculation may be incorrect.
  • Double-check calculations that appear questionable.
  • Know the usual dosage range of the medication
  • Question a dose outside of the usual dosage range.
• Right Time

  • Check the frequency of the prescribed medication
  • Double-check that you are giving the prescribed medicine at the correct time
  • Confirm when the last dose was given
• Medication Abbreviation for Time in Medicine Taking

  • QAM - every morning
  • QD, Q.D., Q.D. = daily
  • QH, QLH = every hour
  • Q2H - every 2 hours
  • QHS - every night at bedtime
  • QID, Q.I.D. = four times a day
  • QOD, Q.O.D - every other day
• Right Route

  • defines how and where you can take the medication to the patient.
  • Regarding medication, there must be a specific route that is followed or given by the physician's order. It must be verified before doing the drug administration to the client
• Abbreviation for Right Route

  • P.O. - oral
  • S.L. - sublingual
  • B.U.C - buccal
  • I.V - intravenous
  • I.M - intramuscular
  • S.C - subcutaneous
  • I.D - intradermal
• Right Client

  • Medication is given to the intended client
  • Check the client’s identification band with each administration of a medication
  • Know the agency’s name alert procedure when clients with same similar lasts names are on the nursing unit
• Right Documentation

  • Document medication administration after giving it , not before.
  • If time of administration differs from prescribed time, note the time on the MAR and explain the reason and follow through activities (e.g., pharmacy states medication will be available in 2 hrs) in nursing notes.
  • If a medication is not given, follow the agency’s policy for documenting the reason wh
• Right to Refuse

  • Adult clients have the right to refuse any medication
  • Nurses must ensure that the client is fully informed of the potential consequences of refusal and communicate the client’s refusal to the healthcare provide
• Right Assessment

  • some medications require specific assessments prior to administration
  • medication orders may include specific parameters prior to administration
• Right Evaluation

  • It assess and evaluate the patient's response to the medication, monitoring for therapeutic effects and any adverse reactions.
  • It conduct appropriate follow-up (e.g., was the desired effect achieved or not? Did the client experience any side effects or adverse reactions?