Oral Administration Of

Medications
 Drug/ medication

• Substance administered for the

diagnosis, treatment, or relief of a
symptom or for the prevention of
diseases
• Used interchangeably with the
word
drug
• Drug also has the connotation of an
illegally obtained substance.
 Prescription
• Written directions for the
preparation and
administration of a drug
Generic name and Trade name
• Genric name:Name given before a drug
becomes officially approved as a
medication.
• Trade name: easy to remember name
given by manufactuters.
• Eg:
Trade name : Crocin
Generic name : Paracitamol.
 Routes of drug administration
• Local
• Systemic
 Oral Medications
• In oral administration the drug is swallowed. It is
the most common, least expensive, and most
convenient route for most clients
Parts of a Medication Order
– Full name of the client
– Date and time the order written
– Name of drug to be administered
– Dosage
– Frequency of administration
– Route of administration
– Signature of person writing the order
Articles for the procedure
Articles number
Steel Tray 1
Drinking water in a Jug 1
prescription
Medicines prescribed
Medicine Cup 1
Pill crusher or tablet if required
cutter
Kidney tray and paper bag
 Procedure To give oral medication.
• Gather equipment. Check each medication order
against original physician’s order according to
agency policy.
• Clarify any inconsistencies. Check patient’s chart
for allergies.
• Know actions, special nursing consideration, and
adverse effects of medications to be administered.
• Perform proper hand hygiene.
• Move medication cart outside patient’s room
or prepare for administration in medication
area.
• Unlock medication cart or drawer.
• Prepare medications for one patient at a
time.
• Select proper medication from drawer or stock
and compare with Kardex or order. Check
expiration dates and perform calculations if
necessary.
• Recheck each medication package or
preparation with the order as it is poured.
• When all medications for one patient have
been prepared, recheck once again with the
medication order before taking them to patient.
• Carefully transport medications to patient’s
bedside. Keep medications in sight at all times.
• See that patient receives medications at the
correct time.
• Identify the patient carefully. There are three
correct ways to do this.
• a. Check name on patient’s identification
bracelet.
• b. Ask patient his or her name.
• c. Verify patient’s identification with a staff
member who knows patient.
• Complete necessary assessments before
administration of medications. Check allergy
bracelet or ask patient about allergies. Explain
purpose and action of each medication to
patient.
• Assist patient to an upright or lateral
position.
• Administer medications.
• a. Offer water or other permitted fluids with pills,
capsules, tablets, and some liquid medications.
• b. Ask patient’s preference regarding medications
to be taken by hand or in cup and one at a time or
all at once.
• c. If capsule or tablet falls to the floor, discard it
and administer a new one.
• d. Record and fluid intake I-O measurement is
ordered.
• Remain with patient until each medication is
swallowed unless nurse has been patient
swallow drug, she or he cannot record drug as
having been administered.
• Perform hand hygiene.
• Record each medication given on
medication chart or record using required
format.
• a. If drug was refused or omitted, record this
in appropriate area on medication record.
• Check on patient within 30 minutes of drug
administration to verify response to
medication
 Special Considerations
• Infants and children
• Older adults
– Self-prescribing
– Over-the-counter medications
– Misuse
– Noncompliance
10 Rights for administering
medications
– Right medication (Drug)
– Right dose
– Right time
– Right route
– Right client
– Right documentation
– Right client education
– Right to refuse
– Right assessment
– Right evaluation