Medication Administration
What are the 6 rights of medication administration?
Right patient, drug, route, time, dose, documentation
When mixing insulin in one syringe, which type of insulin should be drawn up first?
rapid or short-acting insulin
Why should IM sites be rotated?
to decrease the risk of hypertrophy
room temperature
What site is the most appropriate for an IM injection in infants and toddlers?
vastus lateralis (anterolateral thigh)
What medications can be identified by the "tall man" lettering?
Look alike sound alike medications
Name the 4 best sites for a subcutaneous injection to be given?
1. outer aspect of upper arms
2. the abdomen from below the costal margins to the iliac crests
3. the anterior aspects of the thighs
4. buttocks
What are the only 2 recommended sites for vaccine administration?
vastus lateralis and deltoid
Eyes drops should never be instilled directly onto what part of the eye?
the cornea
What site is the most appropriate for an IM injection in pediatric patients 18 months and older?
deltoid muscle
Name 1 way to reduce medication errors?
use appropriate labels, remove expired meds, transfer meds with pt, make sure meds are secure
What is the only kind of insulin that can be given IV?
Regular
What is the method of pulling the skin laterally before the injection that prevents medication leakage into SQ tissue, seals medication in the muscle, and minimizes irritation?
Z-track method
When multiple eye medications are being given, how many minutes should you wait before administering more?
5 minutes
What do you need to do before administering any kind of meds through a feeding tube?
verify placement
Name 2 medications requiring a dual sign off in the MAR?
tPA, chemo drugs, heparin, insulin, mag sulfate, PCA TPN, Remodulin, amphotericin B, antithymocyte
To minimize the pain and bruising associated with LMWHs (i.e. lovenox), where is the best site for this to be given subcutaneously?
the right or left anterolateral or posterolateral aspects of the abdomen
5 mLs
When administering an ear drop, what is the correct direction to pull the pinna in adults and children >3?
up and outward
How many hours after you start a heparin drip should you check a PTT?
6 hours
Name 3 high alert medications from the Ochweb chart?
Where should insulin be stored?
In the refrigerator
Because of the sciatic nerve location, what muscle is not recommended as an IM injection site?
dorsogluteal
What are 3 symptoms a patient could experience if too cold/hot ear drop was instilled?
pain, vertigo, nausea
Where do you waste narcotics?
In the cactus sink