Oral, Enteral, and Inhaler Meds

Question 1

What does PRN and STAT mean?

Answer 1

PRN- given when clients requires it, only as needed
STAT- given immediately in emergency

Question 2

What does routine order mean and single one time?

Answer 2

R- administered until dose is changed or another med is prescribed
S- given one time only for specific reason

Question 3

What is a protocol order?

Answer 3

Set of criteria/orders which a med is to be administered.

Question 4

Nurses role for medication?

Answer 4

Know therapeutic effects/non therapeutic, is med safe to be administered, assessments before administering, monitor drug effects, evaluate patient status

Question 5

What is stock supply and unit dose?

Answer 5

SS- supply of meds commonly used on unit
UD- medication that’s packaged individually, only 1 pill in the package

Question 6

What does a medication order contain?

Answer 6

Name of patient, date/time of order written, name and dose of drug, route to be given, time/frequency of administration, prescriber signature. If anything is missing need to clarify with prescriber.

Question 7

Appropriate abbreviations?

Answer 7

Write out unit, discharge/discontinue, international unit, every day (instead of QD), subcut (instead of SC).

Question 8

10 rights of medication administration?

Answer 8

1. Right medication
2. Right dose
3. Right route
4. Right patient- check ID band against MAR
5. Right time/frequency (30 minute window before and after to give meds)
6. Right patient education
7. Right to refuse
8. Right reason
9. Right documentation
10. Right evaluation- assessments/come back and assess

Question 9

3 checks of medication administration?

Answer 9

1. Check medication against MAR when removing it from drawer/expiry date
2. Check after preparing the medication
3. Check at the bedside before administering it to patient

Question 10

Is patient allowed to refuse a medication?

Answer 10

Yes. but explain why they are on it, benefits/risks, and chart they refused it.

Question 11

What are high alert meds?

Answer 11

Bear heightened risk for causing patient harm when used in error. Need independent double heck (two signatures, student doesn’t count).

Question 12

What is the NAR?

Answer 12

Record for keeping track of narcotics. Must count all narcotics after using one. Document the wastage as well.

Question 13

Considerations for oral medication?

Answer 13

Ask if they can swallow, LOC, are they NPO, do they have any nausea/vomiting, make sure they are in high fowlers position.

Question 14

What meds shouldn’t be crushed?

Answer 14

Sustained release, extended release, long acting, delayed action, enteric release, enteric coated, meds that are irritants/stain teeth, buccal and sublingual meds.

Question 15

How to take sublingual and buccal meds?

Answer 15

S- given under tongue and let it dissolve
B- give on side of mouth, let it dissolve
Don’t eat/drink till medication is dissolved.

Question 16

How do we administer meds through an enteral tube?

Answer 16

1. Crush med into a fine powder/dissolve in 30 mL of warm water/sterile water
2. Verify tube placement (aspirate gastric contents)
3. Administer 30-60 mL water to check patency then administer each med separately through tube
4. Flush tubes with 15-30 mL warm water between meds
5. After meds, flush tube with 30=60 mL of water

Question 17

What do we need to assess for inhalation meds?

Answer 17

RR, lungs (any SOB), why they are on this med.

Question 18

What is the med math for oral/liquid meds?

Answer 18

D/H x Q= X
D is desired dose, H is dose on hand, Q is quantity (tablets, mL…), and X is what we want to solve for.

Question 19

What is reconstitution and the routes they can be given?

Answer 19

Meds are created in powdered form and mixed with liquid (NS or sterile water) to create liquid preparation for administration. Given subcut, IM, or IV.

Question 20

What is solute and solvent/dileunt?

Answer 20

Solute- substance to be dissolved (powder)
Solvent- substance (liquid) that dissolved another substance to make solution

Question 21

How do we measure liquid meds in a cup?

Answer 21

Pour at eye level on flat surface and the bottom of the meniscus should line up with the line.