Administration

• Principles of Administration and Safety

  Discuss safety in administration of meds
• Patient Rights


  • Right patient -> verify pt w/ two forms
  • Right drug -> scan med label
  • Right dose -> verify dosage calculation
  • Right time -> verify time
  • Right route -> verify route
  • Right documentation
• Check expiration date on drug labels
• Never leave medications unattended
• Administer only drugs that you have prepared
• Identify pt with at least two patient identifiers
• Stay with the patient until all medications have been taken. Record effectiveness and results of medication administered
• Check the patient's medications with the health care provider's order for accuracy. Check for allergies
• Prepare medications for only one patient at a time
• Calculate medication dose and perform a double-check of the calculation
• Clinical Trial


  1. Phase I = small groups, tightly controlled, healthy volunteers

  2. Phase II= tested on intended disease, healthy volunteers

  3. Phase III= vast clinical sites. Prescriber observe closely

  4. Phase IV= collect info, FDA approved, Any long terms affect
• OTC Consideration


  • May mask s/s of underlying disease, making diagnose difficult
  • Could interact and interfere with drug therapy
  • Not taking as directed can result in serious overdose
  • Pt do not consider them meds, SO ALWAYS ask for them
• Controlled substances


  Drugs that have potential for abuse or addiction (Schedule I to V)
• Controlled substances are located in locked cabinet, there is a count back, and another RN needs to cosign for partial dose waste