Medication Administration and Safety

Flashcards covering key concepts and considerations in safe medication administration practices.

What is the purpose of tall man lettering in medication names?

Tall man lettering reduces the likelihood of medication errors by highlighting the differences between similar-sounding drug names.

What type of drug is prednisone and what is its primary use?

Prednisone is a steroid that reduces inflammation and decreases swelling.

How should certain medications be administered for effectiveness?

Certain medications should be placed inside the cheek and allowed to dissolve, rather than being chewed or swallowed.

What is the importance of verifying telephone or verbal medication orders?

Verifying orders ensures accuracy in medication administration and helps prevent mistakes.

What is a bar pad system in a healthcare setting?

A bar pad system is a computerized method of tracking and administering medications.

Can medication administration tasks be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

No, you cannot delegate any part of medication administration to a UAP.

What visual reminders might hospitals use to enhance medication safety during administration?

Hospitals may use stop signs or other visual cues to remind staff to focus and minimize distractions while administering medications.

What steps should be taken after receiving a medication order?

The order should be read back to verify accuracy, entered into the computer system, and co-signed by the physician within a specified time.

What additional considerations should be made when administering medications to older adults?

It's important to prioritize their medications and find strategies to help them manage multiple supplements efficiently.

What is the significance of the 'six rights' in medication administration?

The 'six rights' are essential checks to ensure the right patient receives the right medication at the right dose, via the right route, at the right time, and with the right documentation.

What is the purpose of tall man lettering in medication names?

Tall man lettering reduces the likelihood of medication errors by highlighting the differences between similar-sounding drug names.

What type of drug is prednisone and what is its primary use?

Prednisone is a steroid that reduces inflammation and decreases swelling.

How should certain medications be administered for effectiveness?

Certain medications should be placed inside the cheek and allowed to dissolve, rather than being chewed or swallowed.

What is the importance of verifying telephone or verbal medication orders?

Verifying orders ensures accuracy in medication administration and helps prevent mistakes.

What is a bar pad system in a healthcare setting?

A bar pad system is a computerized method of tracking and administering medications.

Can medication administration tasks be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

No, you cannot delegate any part of medication administration to a UAP.

What visual reminders might hospitals use to enhance medication safety during administration?

Hospitals may use stop signs or other visual cues to remind staff to focus and minimize distractions while administering medications.

What steps should be taken after receiving a medication order?

The order should be read back to verify accuracy, entered into the computer system, and co-signed by the physician within a specified time.

What additional considerations should be made when administering medications to older adults?

It's important to prioritize their medications and find strategies to help them manage multiple supplements efficiently.

What is the significance of the 'six rights' in medication administration?

The 'six rights' are essential checks to ensure the right patient receives the right medication at the right dose, via the right route, at the right time, and with the right documentation.

A nurse is reviewing a medication order for 'DOBUTamine.' What safety characteristic should the nurse expect to see applied to this drug name to prevent confusion with 'DOPamine'?

Tall man lettering, which capitalizes specific letters like 'DOBUTamine' to emphasize differences and reduce medication errors.

A patient on long-term prednisone therapy should be educated by the nurse about which significant potential adverse effects?

Increased risk of infection, hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar), osteoporosis, and fluid retention.

When administering a buccal medication, what essential instruction should the nurse provide to the patient?

Instruct the patient to place the medication against the mucous membrane of the cheek and allow it to dissolve completely without chewing, crushing, or swallowing it.

A nurse receives a verbal medication order during an urgent situation. What is the immediate priority action after writing down the order?

Read back the complete order to the prescriber to verify accuracy and prevent errors.

How does using a Bar-Code Medication Administration (BCMA) system primarily contribute to medication safety?

It helps prevent medication errors by electronically verifying the 'six rights' (patient, medication, dose, route, time) at the point of care, ensuring accuracy before administration.

Which activity related to a patient's medication regimen, if any, can a registered nurse safely delegate to an Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)?

Reporting a patient's refusal to take medication or observing and reporting adverse reactions to a medication that has already been administered, but not the administration itself.

Hospitals often implement 'no-interruption zones' and use 'stop' signs on medication carts during administration. What is the primary safety principle these strategies address?

Reducing distractions and promoting focused attention to minimize medication errors by improving vigilance during the critical task of medication preparation and administration.

After a verbal medication order has been received, transcribed, and read back by the nurse, within what typical timeframe must the prescribing physician officially co-sign the order?

Within 24 hours, as per most institutional policies and regulatory guidelines to ensure legal and complete documentation.

An older adult patient expresses feeling overwhelmed by the number of medications and supplements they take daily. What is the most appropriate initial nursing action?

Assess the patient's current medication regimen, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, evaluate their understanding, and identify any barriers to adherence before collaborating on a simplified plan.

Upon entering a patient's room, a nurse verifies the patient's identity using two identifiers and confirms the medication against the MAR. Which of the 'six rights' are predominantly being addressed by these actions?

Right Patient and Right Medication (and potentially Right Dose and Right Route if checking the MAR thoroughly).