The Six Rights
Right client, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation
What are the six rights of medication administration?
The client’s right to understand the medication’s purpose and effects
What is the right to know?
Any preventable event that may cause inappropriate medication use or harm
What is a medication error?
Pediatric and geriatric clients
Who requires special medication considerations?
30 mL
What is the capacity of a medication cup?
Verifying the client’s identity using two identifiers before administration
What is the right client?
The client’s legal right to decline a medication after being informed
What is the right to refuse?
Distractions, miscalculations, poor communication, or similar medication names
What is a common cause of medication errors?
Polypharmacy, altered metabolism, and organ function changes
Why are older adults at higher risk?
Accurate administration of small liquid doses
What is a calibrated dropper used for?
Administering medications within the agency-approved time frame
What is the right time?
The nurse’s responsibility to evaluate the medication’s effectiveness and side effects
What is the right response?
Physical injury, prolonged hospitalization, financial burden, or death
How can medication errors harm clients?
Oral syringe, calibrated dropper, or calibrated spoon
What device should measure pediatric liquid meds < 1 tsp?
For doses less than 1 teaspoon
When is an oral syringe preferred?
Accurate documentation ensures continuity of care, legal protection, and evaluation of response
Why is documentation a right?
Verifying the reason the medication was prescribed
What is the right indication?
The nurse who administered the medication
Who is accountable for medication errors?
Monitoring therapeutic and adverse responses
What assessment is especially important?
Dispensing solid medications
What is a soufflé cup used for?
Reduced effectiveness, adverse reactions, tissue injury, or fatal outcomes
What are consequences of wrong-route administration?
They promote informed consent, client autonomy, and clinical judgment
How do additional rights support safety?
To protect the client, initiate treatment, and prevent future errors
Why must errors be reported immediately?
Weight-based miscalculations or failure to adjust for age-related changes
How do dosing errors occur?
Hold the medication and contact the provider for alternative routes
What should the nurse do if the client is vomiting?