Date Performed: Final Grade:

Clinical Instructor:

ADMINISTERING TOPICAL MEDICATIONS

Definition:

Objectives:
1.
2.
3.

Safety/Security Measures:
1.
2.
3.

Equipment:

PROCEDURE GRADE REMARKS

1. Check doctor’s order.
Rationale:

2. Assemble the equipment needed.

Rationale:

3. Identify the patient carefully which may be done in three ways:

a. Comparing the medication ticket to the patient’s identification wristband and
bed tag.
b. Asking the patient his/her name.
c. Verifying the client’s identification with a staff member who knows the patient
or the watcher.
Rationale:

4. Wear disposable gloves in applying gel, cream, ointment, or lotion; apply sterile
gloves if applying medication to open wound or incision, and use sterile technique
throughout the procedure.
Rationale:

5. Wash application site with warm, soapy water, rinse and pat dry (unless
contraindicated). If applying drug to open skin area use sterile cleaning solution and
gauze to clean area.
Rationale:

6. Apply drug to treatment area, using appropriate application method:

a. For ointment, creams, lotions, gels:

 Pour or squeeze ordered amount onto palmar surface of fingers; use tongue
blade to obtain if removing from multi-dose container.
 Lightly spread with fingers of other hand.
  Gently apply to treatment area, lightly massaging until absorbed or as per
package directions.
b. For Nitroglycerin Ointment:
 Remove previous ointment pad and wash area.
 Squeeze ordered number of inches of drug onto paper measuring rule that
comes with ointment. DO NOT TOUCH PAPER AREA CONTAINING DRUG.
 Apply skin surface that has very little to no hair (e.g. upper chest, upper arm).
DO NOT apply areas where there is heavy skin fold (abdomen) or heavy
muscle mass (gluteal muscles) or to axilla or groin.
 Secure with adhesive application pad or plastic wrap and tape.
c. For medication disks such as nitroglycerin or clonidine (Catapres) patches.
 Remove outer package.
 Carefully remove protective back (usually a plastic shield)
 Place patch on skin surface that has little to no hair (e.g. upper chest, upper
arm) or heavy muscle mass (gluteal muscles) or to axilla or groin.
 Gently press around edges with fingers. Do not touch disks.
d. For sprays:
 Instruct client to close eyes or turn head if spray is being applied to upper
chest and above.
 Apply a light coat of spray onto treatment area (usually 2-10 seconds,
depending on size of treatment area)
Rationale:

7. Discard or restore all equipment properly.

Rationale:

8. Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.

Rationale:

9. Document administration on medication record.

Rationale:

 Ability to answer questions

 Definition
 Objectives
 Principles
TOTAL
Signature of the Clinical Instructor: