Medication Administration (Nursing)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to medication administration, routes, equipment, safety, and common nursing procedures.

Automated Medication Dispensing System (Pyxis/Omnicell)

A 24-hour supply system that stores medications for each patient; requires nurse verification with the MAR before removal.

MAR (Medication Administration Record)

The official document used to guide every medication order; nurse reads drug, dose, route, and time from it.

CUBIE (Pyxis cube)

An individual compartment in the Pyxis system that contains a medication for retrieval.

Right Patient

Verify patient identity with name and DOB (armband check and computer verification).

Right Drug

Confirm the drug name and its intended purpose.

Right Dose

Confirm the exact amount to be administered as ordered.

Right Route

Confirm the correct route of administration (PO, IV, IM, etc.).

Right Time/Frequency

Confirm the timing and schedule (e.g., BID, QID, every 6 hours).

Right Documentation

Document the administration after giving the medication.

Right Reason

Ensure the medication is warranted by the patient’s symptoms or condition.

Right Assessment Data

Recheck relevant vital signs or lab values before giving the medication.

Right Education

Ensure the patient understands why they are taking the drug and how to take it.

Right Response

Monitor for the expected therapeutic effect after administration.

Oral Route (PO)

Medication given by mouth to be swallowed; includes liquids, tablets, capsules; slower onset.

Do Not Crush Medications (EC/SR/ER/XL/CR/DR)

Certain formulations must not be crushed; crushing can alter release and effect.

NPO

Nothing by mouth; may affect ability to take certain medications orally.

Sublingual Route (SL)

Tablet placed under the tongue for rapid absorption; do not swallow.

Buccal Route

Tablet placed between cheek and gum for absorption; do not swallow or chew.

Topical Route

Local administration to skin or mucous membranes; includes creams, patches; date/time/initial patches.

Ophthalmic Route

Eye drops/ointment; apply to conjunctival sac; do not touch dropper to eye.

Otic Route

Ear drops; adult technique (pinna up/back) vs child (<3 years) (pinna down/back).

Nasal Route

Nasal sprays/drops; instruct to blow nose before use and hold breath briefly after administration.

Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)

Bronchodilator or corticosteroid inhaler; shake, use spacer if available, hold breath after inhalation, rinse mouth after steroids.

Vaginal Administration

Creams, foams, tablets, or suppositories inserted intra-vaginally; patient may lie down afterward.

Rectal Administration

Insertion into rectum (Sim’s position); bypasses GI tract; may be used for unconscious or vomiting patients.

Parenteral Route

Injection-based administration (ID, Subcutaneous, IM, IV) requiring aseptic technique and needles/syringes.

Intradermal Injection (ID)

5–15 degree angle; 0.1 mL per injection; 25–27G needle; TB testing and allergy testing.

Subcutaneous Injection (SQ)

45–90 degree angle; typically 0.5–1 mL; 25–30G needle; rotate sites; insulin and heparin common.

Intramuscular Injection (IM)

90 degree angle; faster absorption; sites include vastus lateralis, vastus lateralis, deltoid, ventrogluteal.

Insulin Syringes and Pens

Insulin syringes measure in units; U-100 for most doses; U-50 used for small doses; insulin pens have predefined dose markings.

Ampule

Glass single-dose container; must break neck with gauze; use filter needle; avoid touching the rim.

Vial

Glass or plastic bottle with rubber stopper; wipe diaphragm; inject air equal to the dose before drawing medication.

Reconstitution

Adding a diluent (e.g., sterile water or saline) to a powdered drug before injection.

Blister Packs

Unit-dose packaging; open at bedside with MAR; do not remove from package ahead of time.

Needle Safety

Do not recap used needles; dispose in puncture-proof containers; use one-handed scoop when recapping CLEAN needles.

Needle Gauge

Diameter measurement; 18–30G; higher gauge = thinner needle.

Needle Length

1/4 inch to 2 inches; chosen based on route, viscosity, body size, and site.

Syringe Parts

Tip, Barrel, and Plunger; measurement markings indicate volume in mL.

Central Venous Access Devices

Central line access (tunneled or non-tunneled) with IJ entry; tip in the heart; used for meds, blood draws, nutrition.

Saline Lock (Drug Infusion Lock)

IV catheter with a port to maintain venous patency for intermittent meds.

PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter)

Long, flexible catheter inserted in a peripheral vein with tip in the heart; used for long-term meds or nutrition.

Ventrogluteal Site

Safe IM site away from major nerves; landmarks: palm on greater trochanter, index on ASIS, middle finger on iliac crest forming a triangle; inject in the center.