Medication Safety & Administration

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to medication safety, administration of various types of medications, and safe practices in nursing.

The Ten Rights of Medication Administration

Right patient, Medication, Dose, Time, Route, Reason, Documentation, Evaluation, Education, Right to refuse.

Three Checks in Medication Administration

1. When you reach for the med 2. Before preparing it 3. Before leaving Med Room

Components of a Drug Order

Must include Patient name, Date/time, Drug name, Dose, Route, Frequency, Signature.

Common Routes of Medication Administration

PO, SL, PR, PV, ID, SC, IM, IV.

Common Medication Errors

Wrong dose, wrong patient, look-alike/sound-alike meds, illegible orders, wrong route, skipping rights/checks.

Prevention of Medication Errors

Use no dangerous abbreviations, follow rights + checks, clarify unclear orders, know allergies.

How to report Medication Errors

Report via CSRS, report NEAR MISSES, notify instructor + follow policy.

Administration of Oral Medications

Sit patient upright, don’t mix with large amounts of food, check ability to swallow.

Administration of Topical Medications

Apply with gloves, remove old patches, rotate sites.

Eye Medication Administration Technique

Pull lower lid to conjunctival sac, don’t touch dropper to eye, apply pressure to inner canthus.

Ear Medication Administration Technique for Adults

Pull pinna up & back.

Needles for Intradermal Injections

25–27 gauge, 3/8–5/8 inch, bevel UP, at a 5–15° angle.

Subcutaneous Injection Technique

Use 25–30 gauge needle, 3/8–5/8 inch, at a 45° or 90° angle.

Intramuscular Injection Sites and Gauges

21–25 gauge needle, 1–1.5 inch, administered at a 90° angle.

Insulin Administration Requirements

Use ONLY insulin syringe, clear (R) before cloudy (N), high-alert - double check.

IV Therapy Indications

Dehydration, NPO, electrolyte replacement, blood products, med administration, surgery/acute illness.

Types of IV Solutions

Isotonic (NS, LR, D5W), Hypotonic (0.45NS), Hypertonic (D10W, D50W, 3–5% NS).

Drop Rate Formula

gtt/min = (mL × drop factor) ÷ minutes.

Signs of Infiltration

Cool, pale, swollen site.

Signs of Phlebitis

Red, warm, cord-like vein.

Signs of Fluid Overload

Crackles, edema, shortness of breath (SOB).

Reconstitution of Powder Medications

Know correct diluent, final concentration, calculate dose to draw up, and label syringe/bag correctly.

Needle size for sub Q

IM needle sizes