Reading Labels
This part of a medication label tells you when the drug is no longer safe to use.
What is the expiration date?
The provider orders Cefazolin 1 gram IV every 8 hours. The vial is labeled 500 mg/mL. The nurse calculates the volume in mLs to administer for one dose.
What is 2mL?
This “right” ensures you’re giving the drug to the correct person.
What is the right patient?
The nurse aspirates a syringe before giving a deltoid IM injection but sees blood return. What should the nurse do?
What is withdraw the needle, discard the medication, and prepare a new dose at a different site?
This route is used when medication can be safely swallowed and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.
What is the PO/oral route??
A label reads Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL. The order is for 500 mg. The nurse will give this many mLs of medication.
What is 10 mL?
Order: Heparin 5,000 units SubQ every 12 hours. The vial says Heparin 10,000 units/mL. The nurse will give this many mLs.
What is 0.5mL?
Name two identifiers you must use for the right patient.
What is name and date of birth?
The order is Heparin 5,000 units SubQ, but the nurse accidentally injects into a muscle. This type of error occurred.
What is wrong route error?
This route delivers medication deep into the muscle, allowing for faster absorption than subcutaneous injections.
What is IM?
On the medication label, “PO” means the drug should be given by this route.
What is by mouth?
Order: Lasix 40 mg now. This piece of information is missing
What is route?
The patient says, “That doesn’t look like my usual pill.” This right has been potentially violated.
What is the right education or right to refuse?
The nurse is preparing a vastus lateralis IM injection but uses a 1-inch needle instead of the recommended 1.5-inch needle. What problem could this cause?
What is the medication may not reach the muscle, leading to reduced absorption/effectiveness?
This route is given into the fatty tissue beneath the skin, commonly used for insulin and heparin.
What is subcutaneous?
The label says “IV Push – Dilute before use.” The nurse must do this before giving the drug.
What is dilute the medication in a small amount of fluid before IV administration?
This part of the order is missing: Amoxicillin 500 mg PO ______.
What is frequency?
The order is correct, but you draw up the wrong dose. This “right” was violated.
What is the right dose?
A nurse gives two injections in the same site without rotating. It causes this potential issue.
What is tissue irritation, lipodystrophy, or localized infection.
This route is delivered directly into the bloodstream for immediate effect and precise control of dosage.
What is IV?
A label says “Metoprolol Tartrate” but the order is for “Metoprolol Succinate.” This is the nurses correct action.
What is clarify?
The order says “Morphine 10 mg IM STAT.” “STAT” means this.
What is now or immediately?
The provider ordered medication at 0800, but you gave it at 1200. This “right” was missed.
What is the right time?
While giving a Z-track IM injection, the nurse forgets to pull the skin laterally before injection. It causes this to happen.
What is medication may leak into subcutaneous tissue, causing irritation or staining
With this route, medications are applied directly to the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes and usually have a local effect rather than systemic absorption.
What is topical?