Nursing 6 Rights of Medication Administration

All nurses should practice the "6 rights" of medication administration. There have been many safeguard established to ensure the rights are followed. One is the process of scanning the patient and the medication at the bedside. Many institutions have adopted this system of scanning medications.
1. log into the hospitals software
2. find you patient's profile in the EMAR
3. scan your patient's armband
4. scan the barcode on the medication
If there are any problems the software will alert you to a "right that is about to be violated". It will also assist you with double checking your dosage, time and route of administration.

All nurses should practice the "6 rights" of medication administration. There have been many safeguard established to ensure the rights are followed. One is the process of scanning the patient and the medication at the bedside. Many institutions have adopted this system of scanning medications. 1. log into the hospitals software 2. find you patient's profile in the EMAR 3. scan your patient's armband 4. scan the barcode on the medication If there are any problems the software will alert you to a "right that is about to be violated". It will also assist you with double checking your dosage, time and route of administration.

MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

RIGHT PATIENT

1. Verify patient by checking his or her identification bracelet/armband.
2. Ask the patient his or her name. Do not call the patient by name. Some clients will answer to any name. Ask for his or her date of birth (not always required).
3. Check the name on the patient's medication label or profile in the EMAR.

1. Verify patient by checking his or her identification bracelet/armband. 2. Ask the patient his or her name. Do not call the patient by name. Some clients will answer to any name. Ask for his or her date of birth (not always required). 3. Check the name on the patient's medication label or profile in the EMAR.

RIGHT PATIENT

RIGHT DRUG

1. Check the drug label three times: a) at the first contact the the medication bottle. b) before pouring the medication . c) after pouring the medication
2. Check that the drug order is complete and legible. If it the order is incomplete or not legible, contact the physician or charge nurse.
3. Know the medication action.
4. Check the expiration date. All outdated drugs should be thrown away or sent back to the pharmacy, whichever is the policy of the facility.
5. PATIENT QUESTIONS...If the patient questions the drug, recheck and check again the medication and the doseage. If you are in doubt see assistance from another health care provider.

1. Check the drug label three times: a) at the first contact the the medication bottle. b) before pouring the medication . c) after pouring the medication 2. Check that the drug order is complete and legible. If it the order is incomplete or not legible, contact the physician or charge nurse. 3. Know the medication action. 4. Check the expiration date. All outdated drugs should be thrown away or sent back to the pharmacy, whichever is the policy of the facility. 5. PATIENT QUESTIONS...If the patient questions the drug, recheck and check again the medication and the doseage. If you are in doubt see assistance from another health care provider.

RIGHT DRUG

RIGHT DOSE

1. Be able to calculate the medication doses using the ration and proportion, basic formula fractional equation.
2. Know how to calculate drug dose by body weght (kg) or by body surface area.
3. Know the recommended dosage range for the drug. If the nurse believes the dose is incorrect or not within the therapeutic range, a supervisor, pharmacist or the ordering physician should be contacted and all communication should be documented.
4. Recalculate drug dose and have a colleague recheck the dose.
5. Some facilities require the following drugs to be checked by a colleague:

1. Be able to calculate the medication doses using the ration and proportion, basic formula fractional equation. 2. Know how to calculate drug dose by body weght (kg) or by body surface area. 3. Know the recommended dosage range for the drug. If the nurse believes the dose is incorrect or not within the therapeutic range, a supervisor, pharmacist or the ordering physician should be contacted and all communication should be documented. 4. Recalculate drug dose and have a colleague recheck the dose. 5. Some facilities require the following drugs to be checked by a colleague:

RIGHT DOSE

RIGHT TIME

Medications should be given at a specified time to maintain a therapeutic drug serum level. A dose given too soon can cause toxicity and missed doses can nullify the drug action and its effect.
1. Administer the drug at the correct time(s). Medications can be given 1/2 hour before or after the time prescribed.
2. There are specific cirecumstances that may cause a delay or ommission of a medication such as: labortory or diagnostic tests.
3. Administer drugs that are affected by foods either 1 hours before or 2 hours after meals.
4. Know the medications half-life.
5. Anitbiotics should be administered at regular intervals.

See also:

• Healthy Kits provides medicines - prices of medications: healthykits.co.uk

The Manila Central University College of Nursing, popularly known as "MCU Nursing", is the nursing school of the Manila Central University which is a private, non-sectarian educational institution.
In June 1947, the permit to open the first year of the four-year course of the College of Nursing, was granted by the Bureau of Private Schools...

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