Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Ministry of Health
General Directorate of Health Affairs- Aseer Region
Prince Faisal bin Khalid Cardiac Center

NURSING COMPETENCY CHECKLIST

MEDICATION PREPARATION AND ADMINISTRATION

Competency Statement
The nurse shall safely prepare and administer medications through strict consideration to patient's medication rights and
established guidelines outlined in the hospital policies and procedures.

Mandatory Learning Resources

o Review the Policy on Medication Administration, Medication Administration Time, Look-Alike / Sound-Alike
Medications, Narcotic and Controlled Medication, High Alert medication and Verbal and Telephone Order
Policy.
o Attends In- Service orientation on Medication Preparation and Administration.

Score
No. Performance Criteria/Evidence Methodology
1 2 3
Demonstrate knowledge about the patient medication rights and their □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
1.
implications in the clinical practice.
Identify the essential assessments before preparing and administering □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
medications such as:
 Patient diagnosis
 Medical history including current medications
2.  Comorbidities
 Allergies
 Anthropometric measurements, specifically height and weight
 Learning needs
 Physician's written order
Demonstrate knowledge of nursing implications and ability to accept,
3.
process and initiate medication orders:
3.1. Written or electronic order □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
3.2. Telephone or verbal order □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
3.3. Standing order □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
3.4. PRN order □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
3.5. Stat order □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
3.6. Discharge medication orders □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
Demonstrate knowledge in verifying the completeness and accuracy of
4
a medication order:
4.1. Check the physician order which specifies the drug name □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
(non-proprietary name), form, dose, route of administration,
frequency and special instructions (if any).
4.2. Check that the medication is transcribed into the □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
Medication Administration Record by a physician
accurately.
4.3. Evaluate the appropriateness of the drug to the patient. □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD

Methodology: VE: Verbal Exam DO: Direct Observation WE: Written Exam RD: Return Demonstration
Scoring System:
 Novice (1 point)- when a need to teach the staff nurse of the general rule on how to perform a task is established.
 Competent (2 points)- when a perspective to perform a task with efficiency is exhibited.
 Expert (3 points)- when performances are fluid, flexible, and highly-proficient.
 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Health
General Directorate of Health Affairs- Aseer Region
Prince Faisal bin Khalid Cardiac Center

NURSING COMPETENCY CHECKLIST

MEDICATION PREPARATION AND ADMINISTRATION

4.4. Ensure that the medication order in the physician order □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD

sheet and MAR is signed with the ordering physician's
name, employee/ID number, date/time of writing and
signature.
Demonstrate knowledge on how to access appropriate resources for □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
information on medication such as:
5.
 Pharmacy Department
 Manual Drug Formulary
Demonstrate knowledge and skills about handling and management of
6.
High Alert Medications.
6.1. Identify examples of High Alert Medications □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
6.2. Storage and Labeling □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
6.3. Method of preparation and administration □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
Verbalize understanding of the importance of Aseptic Technique in □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
7.
medication preparation and administration.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills in parenteral medication preparation
8.
and administration:
8.1. Prepare medication from ampoules □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
8.2. Prepare medication from vials □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
8.3. Intramuscular (IM) medications □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
8.4. Subcutaneous (SC) medications □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
8.5. Intravenous (IV) medications □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
8.6. IV infusions of High Alert Medications □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
Demonstrate knowledge and skills in non-parenteral medication
9.
preparation and administration:
9.1. Per Orem medications □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
9.2. Rectal medications □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
9.3. Eye medications □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
9.4. Ear medications □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
9.5. Inhaled medications □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
9.6. Topical drugs □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
10. Demonstrate knowledge in managing medications during:
10.1. Admission for current medications □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
10.2. Patient discharge to home □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
10.3. Transfer to other in-patient unit □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
10.4. Transfer to other healthcare facility □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
10.5. Temporary discontinuation for procedure □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
10.6. Discontinuation of medication □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
10.7. Patient refusal □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
10.8. Out-on-pass status □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD

Methodology: VE: Verbal Exam DO: Direct Observation WE: Written Exam RD: Return Demonstration
Scoring System:
 Novice (1 point)- when a need to teach the staff nurse of the general rule on how to perform a task is established.
 Competent (2 points)- when a perspective to perform a task with efficiency is exhibited.
 Expert (3 points)- when performances are fluid, flexible, and highly-proficient.
 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Health
General Directorate of Health Affairs- Aseer Region
Prince Faisal bin Khalid Cardiac Center

NURSING COMPETENCY CHECKLIST

MEDICATION PREPARATION AND ADMINISTRATION

Demonstrate knowledge on management and reporting of Medication

11
Errors. □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
Demonstrate knowledge of the importance of Patient/family education □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
12 before administration of a drug, and its documentation in appropriate
forms.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills in correct disposal of medication □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
13
containers and items used in the procedure.
Demonstrate correct documentation process of administered medication □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
14
in the Medication Administration Record.
15 Calculate correctly different questions on medication administration. □ VE □ DO □ WE □ RD
Total Score / 126

REMARKS:

Assessor’s Evaluation: □ Independent □ Supervision Required □ Dependent (for re-evaluation)

Assessor’s Name/Employee No.: ________________________ Signature: __________ Date: ____________

Employee Name/Employee No.: ________________________ Signature: __________ Date: ____________

Legend:
INDEPENDENT : Scores above 90%
SUPERVISION REQUIRED : Scores 80%-89%
DEPENDENT : Scores below 80%

Methodology: VE: Verbal Exam DO: Direct Observation WE: Written Exam RD: Return Demonstration
Scoring System:
 Novice (1 point)- when a need to teach the staff nurse of the general rule on how to perform a task is established.
 Competent (2 points)- when a perspective to perform a task with efficiency is exhibited.
 Expert (3 points)- when performances are fluid, flexible, and highly-proficient.