"Rights of Medication Administration

• what are the 9 rights of medication administration in order?

  1. right patient
  2. right medication and indication
  3. right dose
  4. right route
  5. right time
  6. right education
  7. right to refuse
  8. right response and evaluation
  9. right documentation
• right patient


  right #1: safety check when a provider is working with more than one patient
• right medication and indication

  right #2:

  • verify the proper medication and prescription
  • once received, confirm medication order and determine that the patient is still a candidate for the medication
  • make sure the patient does not have any contraindications for the medication
  • have your partner confirm the medication before you administer it
  • carefully read the label
  • if you have any questions, contact online medical control
  • make sure that the medication belongs to the patient and not someone else
• right dose


  right #3:

  • verify the form and dose of medication
  • have partner confirm dosage before administering it
• right route


  right #4:

  • verify the route of the medication
  • make sure the route matches the order you received
• right time


  right #5:

  • check expiration date and condition of the medication
  • check the label
  • if no date can be found, examine the medication with suspicion
  • if you find discoloration, cloudiness, or particles in a liquid medication, do not use it
  • after the medication has been administered, reassess the patient to see if it worked
  • reassess the vital signs, esp. heart rate and blood pressure, at least every 5 minutes if the patient's condition changes
  • if the physician orders you to repeat the medication, it is important to do so at the right time
• right education


  right #7:

  • inform the patient of the medication you intent to administer
  • confirm or reconfirm whether the patient has any medication allergies or unusual to the medication
  • inform the patient of any likely adverse effects or unusual sensations they may experience as the medication is administered
• right to refuse


  right #7:

  • patients with decision-making capacity can decline or refuse proposed interventions or medications
  • if the patient is unresponsive, briefly evaluate whether the patient has an advance directive in place that might preclude the administration of certain medications, particularly during resuscitation situations
  • when a patient lacks decision-making capacity, a surrogate decision maker has the authority to refuse propose interventions or medication on a patient's behalf
• right response and evaluation


  right #8:

  • monitor the patient's vital signs, mental status, signs of perfusion, and respiratory effort after medication administration
  • assess for the anticipated response, and observe for any adverse medication effects
  • your knowledge of the medication's actions will help guide your reassessment
• right documentation


  right #9:

  • once the medication has been given, document your actions and the patient's response
  • include: time administered , name, dose, route of administration
  • should your performance ever be questioned, accurate documentation is your best defense