University of San Agustin

General Luna St., 5000 Iloilo City, Philippines

www.usa.edu.ph
COLLEGE OF NURSING, NUTRITION & DIETETICS
NURSING PROGRAM

PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST
(DRUG ADMINISTRATION: ORAL )

Name: Course/Year/Section: Date:

Time Started: Time Ended:

PROCEDURE/STEPS Script & Rationale

1. Assemble and arrange all equipment needed
2. Take medication cards from medicine pockets. Medication Cards typically contain essential
Check cards with physician’s order sheet,
medication sheets and kardex
Having all equipment ready before starting minimizes
the risk of distractions or interruptions during the
medication administration process. This reduces the
likelihood of errors such as administering the wrong
medication or dosage.
information about the prescribed medications for a
specific patient.
 Checking these cards ensures that the right
medications are available for administration

Physician's Order Sheet is the primary document

containing prescribed medications, dosages, and
administration instructions.
 Cross-checking with the medication cards
helps verify that the medications listed on the
cards match the physician's orders, reducing
the risk of administering the wrong medication
or dosage.

Kardex is a comprehensive summary of a patient's

3. Arrange medication cards in an orderly and
efficient manner on the medicine tray
4. Wash hands thoroughly
5.Unlock medicine cabinet
medical history, current medications, and treatment
plans.
 Checking medication cards against the kardex
helps ensure consistency and accuracy in
medication information,
Placing medication cards in a systematic order
facilitates quick and easy identification of each
medication. This reduces the likelihood of selecting
the wrong medication during the administration
process.
handwashing helps remove these microorganisms,
reducing the risk of infections for both healthcare
providers and patients.
unlocking a medicine cabinet is a deliberate and
controlled action guided by considerations of safety,
security, regulatory compliance, and the need for
accountable and responsible medication
management.
6.Take one medication card at a time. Read the
card.
Locate medicine in the cabinet and read the
label.
Remove medicine from the shelf.
7. Compare medicine label with medication card
8. Pick up the medicine glass
9.Prepare prescribed dose of medicine in the glass Accurate preparation of the prescribed dose is
10. LIQUIDS:
1. Shake bottle (if suspension); not
necessary to shake if syrup.
2. Remove cap and place it upside down on
the medicine tray.
3. Hold medicine glass with the left hand at
eye level. Place your thumb nail at the mark.
4. Hold bottle with the right hand with label
next to palm, pour the exact amount as prescribed. Remove Cap and Place It Upside Down on the Medicine
Use the lower meniscus as guide for
measurement.
5. Wipe rim of bottle with paper wipe. Then
recap.
11. TABLETS, PILLS, CAPSULES
1. If in a bottle, gently shake the prescribed
number into the lid of the bottle and then from lid
into medicine glass.
Patient safety is the foremost consideration in
medication administration. Taking one card at a time
ensures that full attention is given to each medication,
reducing the risk of errors or confusion.
To confirm that the medication being accessed is the
correct one
Medication glasses are used to measure and
administer liquid medications. Picking up the glass
with clean hands helps prevent the introduction of
contaminants
fundamental to patient safety. It minimizes the risk of
adverse effects associated with incorrect dosages and
promotes the intended therapeutic effect.
Shake Bottle (if suspension); Not Necessary for Syrup:
 Shaking a bottle is necessary for medications in
suspension to ensure that the components are
evenly distributed. However, for syrups, which are
typically uniform in composition, shaking is not
required. This step is crucial for maintaining the
consistency and effectiveness of the medication.
Tray:
 Placing the cap upside down on the medicine tray
helps prevent contamination.
Hold Medicine Glass with the Left Hand at Eye Level;
Place Thumb Nail at the Mark:
 Holding the medicine glass at eye level provides an
accurate visual reference for measuring the
prescribed dose. Placing the thumb nail at the mark
on the glass helps ensure precise measurement
Hold Bottle with the Right Hand, Pour the Exact
Amount as Prescribed:
 Pouring the exact amount as prescribed is crucial
for accurate dosage administration
Use the Lower Meniscus as a Guide for Measurement:
 The meniscus is the curved surface of a liquid in
response to its container. Using the lower
meniscus as a guide for measurement helps
ensure accurate volume measurement. It is
particularly important for precise dosage
administration.
Wipe Rim of Bottle with Paper Wipe:
 To removes any medication residue from the rim,
preventing potential contamination.
 Ensures that the cap can be securely tightened
during recapping, preventing leaks and maintaining
the integrity of the medication.
Recap
 maintaining the sterility and integrity of the
medication.
If in a Bottle: Gently Shake into Lid and Then into
Medicine Glass:
 Shaking the bottle helps ensure that the tablets,
pills, or capsules are uniformly dispersed within the
 2. If in a box, gently shake the prescribed container.
number directly into the medicine glass  Transferring them from the lid to the medicine glass
3. If in a foil, tear one side of foil and place minimizes the risk of spillage and contamination,
medicine in the medicine glass. ensuring accurate dosage administration.

If in a Box: Gently Shake Directly into the Medicine

Glass:
 It allows for a controlled transfer directly into the
medicine glass, reducing the risk of spillage and
ensuring accurate dosage.

If in a Foil: Tear One Side and Place in the Medicine

12. POWDERS
1. Crush tablets with mortar and pestle if
medicine is to be given in powder form
2. Place powdered medicine in medicine glass
using a spoon.
3. Add required amount of water to powdered
medicine in glass; stir with stirring rod.
Glass:
 Tearing one side of the foil minimizes contact with
the tablets or capsules, reducing the risk of
contamination.
Crush Tablets with Mortar and Pestle if Medicine is to
be Given in Powder Form:
 Crushing tablets with a mortar and pestle is
necessary when the medication needs to be
administered in powder form.
Place Powdered Medicine in Medicine Glass Using a
Spoon:
 Transferring the powdered medicine from the
mortar to the medicine glass using a spoon is a
controlled and measured action.

Use of Stirring Rod:

 Stirring the mixture with a rod ensures thorough
dissolution and homogeneity.
13. DROPS Using a Medicine Dropper, Draw Up the Amount You
1. Using a medicine dropper, draw up the Will Need:
amount you will need.  Utilizing a medicine dropper allows for precise
2. Holding the medicine dropper 45 0, count measurement of the required amount of liquid
the prescribed number of drops as they fall into medication.
the medicine glass.
3. Discard excess medicine present in the Holding the Medicine Dropper at a 45-Degree Angle,
dropper, if any. Count the Prescribed Number of Drops as They Fall
into the Medicine Glass:
 Holding the medicine dropper at a 45-degree angle
provides a controlled and consistent flow of drops.

Discard Excess Medicine Present in the Dropper, If

Any:
 Discarding excess medicine in the dropper is
important for accurate dosing
14. When prescribed medicine is in the medicine After preparing the medication in the medicine glass,
glass, read label on the medication card. Return reading the label on the medication card is a crucial
medicine bottle to shelf. verification step. It ensures that the healthcare
provider cross-checks the information on the
medication card with what has been prepared.
15. Place medicine glass with the corresponding Associating the medicine glass with the corresponding
medicine card on the tray. medicine card on the tray helps ensure that the right
medication is being administered to the right patient.
16. Take each remaining card in turn and repeat Repeating the steps for each remaining medication
steps 6 –11 until all medicine glasses and cards ensures a comprehensive and systematic approach to
are on the tray. medication administration. This approach helps
Arrange them efficiently and in orderly prevent omissions and ensures that each patient
manner. receives the prescribed medications.

17. Lock medicine cabinet Locking the medicine cabinet prevents unauthorized
personnel, including patients, visitors, and non-
medical staff, from gaining access to medications
18. Take medicine tray to bedside. At each
client’s bedside:
a. Identify client carefully using all precautions.
Look for the client’s name on the Bed tag or
identification bracelet. Ask the client to state
his/her full name.
b. Explain procedure to client.
c. Place client in sitting position if not
contraindicated or place head near the edge of Place Client in Sitting Position if Not
the bed.
d. Place towel or napkin on the chest
e. Hand medicine glass to client
f. Pour drinking water and hand glass to client.
g. Remain with client until medicine is
swallowed.
h. Place used medicine glass to one side of tray.
Put medicine card face down on the tray to showPlace Towel or Napkin on the Chest:
that medicine has been give.
i. Wipe client’s mouth with towel or napkin
and assist him/her back to bed.
Identify Client Carefully Using All Precautions:
 Patient identification is a critical safety
measure
Explain Procedure to Client:
 Providing a clear explanation of the procedure
to the client fosters communication and trust.
Contraindicated or Place Head Near the Edge of
the Bed:
 Placing the client in a suitable position, such
as a sitting position or with the head near the
edge of the bed, facilitates easier swallowing
and minimizes the risk of choking.
 Placing a towel or napkin on the client's chest
is a precautionary measure to catch any
accidental spills or droplets

Hand Medicine Glass to Client:

 Handing the medicine glass directly to the
client promotes patient engagement and
autonomy

Pour Drinking Water and Hand Glass to Client:

 Providing water along with the medication aids
in swallowing and minimizes the risk of the
medication causing irritation to the throat.

Remain with Client Until Medicine Is Swallowed:

 It ensures that the medication is properly
ingested, reducing the risk of aspiration or
incomplete administration.

Place Used Medicine Glass to One Side of Tray.

Put Medicine Card Face Down on the Tray to
Show That Medicine Has Been Given:
 Organizing the used items on the tray in a
specific manner serves as a visual cue that the
medication has been administered.

Wipe Client’s Mouth with Towel or Napkin and

Assist Him/Her Back to Bed:
 Wiping the client's mouth after medication
administration promotes cleanliness and
comfort

19. Bring medicine tray to nurse’s station. Wash all Proper cleaning and storage of equipment play a key
equipment used with soap and water, dry and role in infection control and prevention.
return to proper places.
20. Chart medicines given using medication cards Immediate charting ensures that the administration of
to medication sheet immediately medications is accurately recorded. This real-time
documentation minimizes the risk of forgetting details
and contributes to the completeness and integrity of
the patient's medical record.