LTC - Getting State Ready

Nurses, Little tips to get you through

Date your Ice water jug and your Pudding.
Never borrow medications from cart to cart, Using a cup. Keep all
medications in original containers.
Date Insulin, as soon as it comes out of the fridge- Its good for 28 days
only.
Date eye drops- when opened - Its good for 28 days. (During
administration,wait 3 to 5 minutes between eye drops)
Date Advair - when opened - its good for 30 days.
Duoneb- Date updraft nebulizer and tubing. When foil pkg is opened it is
good for 7 days only. Date foil pkg when opened.
Albuterol-Is good til pkg date, and never administer if discolored.
Check OTC expiration date prior to administration.
Watch your Sharps Containers, replace them promptly.
Always Shake suspensions (ex. Dilantin)
Read Mar, Follow instructions.
Use Oral Syringes, when drawing up liquids, especially those that alter
lab results.
Sign your Mars & Tars as you go.
Always check fridge temps in residents rooms, sign off flowsheet.
Always separate topicals from internals.
Always Lock your carts, before you walk away from it.
Never leave medications on top of your medication cart.
If a resident refuses a medication 3 times, document it on back of MAR,
and document in nurses notes. Call and Notify MD.