chapter 2 - safely preparing and giving drugs Flashcards
Who selects a prescribed drug?
Physicians, dentists, podiatrists, advanced drugs, nurses, physician’s assistants.
What do pharmacists do?
Mix (compound) and dispense drugs.
What is the role of nurses in drug therapy?
Give drugs directly to patients.
What is the first ‘Right’ of Safe Drug Administration?
Right patient – compare name, birth date, identification number of wristband with medication administration record (MAR).
What is the second ‘Right’ of Safe Drug Administration?
Right drug – 3 checks, check that you have the correct drug, do the calculations, correct doses.
What is the third ‘Right’ of Safe Drug Administration?
Right dose – make sure the right dose is given.
What is the fourth ‘Right’ of Safe Drug Administration?
Right route – make sure the order has the right route on how to give the medication.
What is the fifth ‘Right’ of Safe Drug Administration?
Right time – make sure the order has the time on which the medications must be given.
What is the sixth ‘Right’ of Safe Drug Administration?
Right documentation – record administration immediately, especially important for PRN drugs.
What is the seventh ‘Right’ of Safe Drug Administration?
Right diagnosis – be familiar with patients’ medical diagnosis, check any laboratory tests, check vital signs BEFORE and AFTER administering drugs that affect vital signs.
What is the eighth ‘Right’ of Safe Drug Administration?
Right response – after administration, assess patient for desired effect, document what you monitored and any other interventions.
What is the right to refuse in drug administration?
Patient has the right to refuse any drug, must understand why a drug is prescribed, and the consequences of refusal. Document refusal.
What minimum information should be read in a drug order?
Name of medication, dose, route, frequency (e.g., every 4 hours).
What are the types of drug orders?
Standing (you need it every day), PRN (only as needed), single dose, STAT (immediate).
What are some examples of drug errors?
Omission error, wrong patient, wrong dose, wrong route, wrong rate, wrong dosage form, wrong time, error in preparation of dose.
How can drug errors be prevented?
Always follow the ‘eight rights’, check dosage calculations with a coworker, listen to the patient who questions a drug dosage, concentrate on the task at hand, use bar code systems.
What is medication reconciliation?
Prevents drug errors and identifies the most accurate list of medications that the patient is taking.
When is medication reconciliation used?
When patient is admitted to the hospital, transferred from unit to unit, or to a different facility.
What should be done after a drug error is reported?
First check the patient for adverse effects, report drug errors immediately, carefully watch the patient for any signs of adverse reactions, and notify the prescriber.
What are the principles of administering drugs?
Know drug uses, actions, common adverse reactions, and special precautions. Know patient’s drug history, allergies, previous adverse reactions, pertinent lab values, and changes in patient’s condition.
What are important guidelines for giving drugs?
Never give drugs prepared by someone else, use sterile technique with syringes and needles, be alert to drug names that sound or look alike, always document the administration of a drug.
What is the administration process for enteral drugs (oral)?
Ordered as PO, includes tablets, capsules, liquid. Patient must be able to swallow. Onset of action is slow (30 min).
What should be done when giving oral liquid drugs?
Use a calibrated device to measure correct dose, hold a calibrated medicine cup at eye level, base of meniscus should be level with line on scale.
What is the process for giving enteral drugs via NG or PEG tubes?
Ensure that tablets can be crushed or capsules can be opened, place patient upright, check tube placement, dilute liquids, crush and dissolve tablets, empty and dissolve capsules.
