Medication Administration & Injection Study Guide

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts related to medication administration and injection techniques.

The Ten Rights of Medication Administration

Standards used to ensure safe and accurate medication administration.

Hazardous Medications

Drugs that can cause cancer, reproductive harm, organ damage, or genetic mutations through exposure.

High-Alert Medications (HAMs)

Drugs that have a narrow therapeutic range and can cause severe injury or death if an error occurs.

Medical Cannabis

Cannabis that must have medical authorization from a licensed prescriber and cannot be smoked on facility property.

NPO

Nothing by mouth; indicates no oral intake allowed.

Narcotics & Controlled Substances

Regulated medications requiring strict security measures including double-lock storage and accountability.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards including gloves, gowns, masks, and face shields.

Z-Track Method

IM injection technique used to prevent leakage of irritating medications into subcutaneous tissue.

Independent Double Check

Process where two nurses independently verify medication, dosage, and patient before administration.

Aseptic Technique

A sterile method used to prevent contamination during procedures.

Advantages to injections

The Rapid and complete absorption of the drug,  Given even when there is a GI disturbance. Client does not have to be conscious or coherent to receive this route.

Does Injections or oral and topical have a greater risk

Injections

Disadvantages to injections

Rapid and complete absorption of the drug = no first pass effect, Enters the first line of defense (which is skin). Risk for infection. Has to be given in an area with adequate circulation. pain. Irretrievable once injected

Components of a syringe

Plnger, Barrel, Luer loc tip,

Parts of a needle 

Hub connects to tip of syringe, shaft level and needle cap

What size of syringe is most common for IM injections

3 mL

What are the common SubQ syringes

tuberculin syringe and insulin 

Can insulin syringes be used as anything other than insulin

NO

Rule for Syringes

Remember to always choose the smallest syringe size possible to improve accuracy of medication preparation

What needs to stay sterile in the needle?

Remember that the needle hub, shaft, & bevel must stay sterile at all times

Pls explain the bevel 

always slanted to create only a narrow slit when entering the skin (helps prevent leakage of

medication, blood, & decreases tissue discomfort)

 Remember that the needle hub, shaft, & bevel must

Size of needle for subQ

0.16-0.5 inch or 4-12 mm for subcutaneous or intradermal injections

Size of needle for IM injections

1-1½ inches for IM injections

For oral medications how do you write half a tablet?

.5 (never use leading zero. and never use 1/2

how does the size of a needle work?

The smaller the needle gauge the larger the needle diameter e.g. 22 G 1 ½ inch needle (IM) is larger

than a 31 G 5/16-inch needle

What is a filter needle?

Filter needles are recommended for drawing medications from vials or ampules to prevent the

withdrawing of glass and rubber particles; however, the nurse must apply a new needle before the

medication is given.

Do you ever inject a filter needle

NO

How does a nurse determine the size of a needle?

For IM injections choose the needle length according to client’s size and weight and type of tissue into

which drug is being injected. Children and very small thin adults generally require a shorter needle.

What syringe and needle for inter dermal injections 

The Tuberculin syringe with a fine gauge (25-27) about 3/8-5/8 inches’ long

What syringe and needle for SubQ injections 

31 gauge 5/16 inch (8mm) at 45 or 90-degree angle (adults) and 29 gauge ½ inch (13mm) at 45 or 90-degree angle (adults) 29-32 gauge 4-8mm at 90 degrees (children)

What is a concern in terms of SubQ 29 gauge ½ inch (13mm) at 45 or 90-degree angle (adults)

Needles this length have an

increased risk of going into intramuscular tissue. Remember to assess the clients amount of

subcutaneous tissue to determine if this needle length should be used!

What syringe and needle for IM  injections 

A 22 gauge, 1.5-inch length is typical in adults, If you have a smaller adult you may use only a 23 gauge, 1inch length (common for children). For an infant you may use a 23, 5/8inch

Do we recap a used needle?

NO NEVER This is to protect yourself from needle-stick injury

We dispose of needles

Always dispose of needles in designated sharps containers to protect clients and other hospital workers

If for some circumstance you have to recap a needle what technique do you use?

use the one-handed capping technique

What do you have to do before you can mix any medication?

Before you mix any drugs you will need to check their compatibility

When mixing Vial to Vial what do you have to be concerned off

When mixing from vial to vial you have to be concerned about contamination of

the second vial. Sometimes the second vial can be saved and sometimes it’s

discarded.

Explain mixing a medication from vial to ampoule

Sometimes you will be using a medication from a vial and one from an ampule. When

mixing from an ampoule and vial, the rule of thumb is use the vial first because the

ampoule is discarded anyway

What is a big no in drawing up the second vial when you have too much

You need to have accurate dosage drawn up. If too much is drawn up from vial 2 you

must discard and start over.

What is the pattern for vials

Mixing medications from two vials. A, Injecting air into vial A. B, Injecting air into vial B and withdrawing the dose. C, withdrawing medication from vial A; the two medications are now mixed.

When mixing two kinda of Insulin

CLOUDY, CLEAR, CLEAR, CLOUDY

Do we shake insulin?

Never shake insulin. Gently roll the vials or vials in your palm.

why is long acting second

Always draw up the clear insulin first!! Clear insulin is short acting so if some of it from the

needle gets into the vial of the cloudy or long acting insulin it won’t be as serious.

Which insulin is for IV

Short acting (Regular) - ONLY INSULIN FOR IV (CONTINUOUS) USE.

What medicating can not be mixed

Long acting (Lantus) - CANNOT BE MIXED WITH OTHER INSULIN.

How do we store insulin

sulin may be stored at room temperature if it is to be used within 1 month: otherwise it needs to be

refrigerated. Insulin in the hospital is generally refrigerated and used within 3 months.

Insulin mixed must be given in 

within 5 minutes of combing the medications 

What do we do before we administer medication

Blood Glucose is usually checked before insulin administration. Some clients are on a Sliding Scale for their insulin. This means that as their blood glucose changes their Insulin amount(s) change(s).

Site for Insulin

• Patient’s choose one anatomical area and systemically rotate sites within that region, which maintains

consistent insulin absorption from day to day. Absorption is based on site. Insulin is absorbed fastest from the abdomen, followed by arms, thighs and

buttocks. When one site is used it helps to maintain the consistency of insulin absorption from one day to another.

Anticoagulants 

Inject slowly - some literature suggests 30 second count. This allows time for the subcutaneous tissue to accommodate to the volume.

What dosage is Normally SubQ

usually for small doses 0.5-2mL.

Aspiration in IM

Best practice suggests that it is not necessary in all situations but rather requires your

nursing judgement to determine if aspiration is necessary. If you are injecting into an area that is at

greater risk of hitting a blood vessel or you are administering a high alert medication, use your nursing

judgement to determine if aspiration of blood is needed before injecting the medication. If this is an

emergency situation that requires prompt injection, aspiration may not be necessary.