Oral (Solid) Medications
What is the ideal patient position for administering oral medications?
High Fowlers or Sitting upright at 90°
What is the correct measuring device for doses <5 mL?
Oral syringe
When instilling eye drops, where should you place the drop?
Conjunctival sac, not cornea
How long should a patient hold their breath after inhaling from an MDI?
10 Seconds
Before applying a new patch, what must you always do first?
Remove old patch, clean site
Name 2 safety checks before giving a medication orally.
Allergies, NPO status, swallowing ability/gag reflex, vital signs relevant to med
At what level should you measure liquid medication in a cup?
Eye level
After giving eye drops, where should you apply gentle pressure and for how long?
Inner canthus, 30–60 seconds
Why should a patient rinse their mouth after using an inhaled corticosteroid?
Prevent oral thrush
Where should you NOT place a transdermal patch?
Broken, irritated, or hairy skin
Name two types of pill form medications that should NOT be crushed.
Enteric-coated, sustained/extended-release
What should you do if a patient is NPO but still has scheduled oral liquid meds?
Verify with provider if med can be given via alternate route or held
For adult ear drops, how should you position the auricle?
Pull up and back
How long should a patient wait between puffs of the same inhaler?
1–2 minutes
Why should heat be avoided over a transdermal patch?
Increases absorption → risk of overdose
What is the minimum amount of time a patient should remain upright after some oral meds to prevent aspiration/reflux?
30 Minutes
Why is it important to shake suspensions before administering?
Ensures even distribution of the medication particles for accurate dosing
Where should you direct a nasal spray in the nostril for best absorption and comfort?
Toward the lateral wall
What’s the correct breathing pattern for a Diskus inhaler?
Exhale away, inhale quickly and deeply, hold breath 10 sec
If you find two patches on a patient, what should you do?
Remove both, clean site, notify provider
If a patient refuses a tablet, spits it out, or drops it, what should you do?
Do not re-administer, document, notify provider if dose not given
What must you document after giving an oral liquid medication besides dose, route, and time?
Patient’s tolerance, any pre-administration assessments, and relevant teaching provided
What is a common risk of overusing nasal sprays?
Rebound congestion
Name 2 pre- or post-assessments for inhalation medications.
RR, lung sounds, oxygenation
Why should topical medications be applied to rotated sites, and what may result if they aren’t?
To protect skin integrity and ensure proper absorption; repeated use on one site can cause irritation and decreased effectiveness