Medication Administration
Medication Administration The intended use of medications is meant to improve a person’ health, it is very important the individual administering medication or self-medicating use the drugs correctly, by following the doctors’ instruction for the medication prescribed. Medication is given to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. Medication can be very dangerous, which can potentially cause harm or even deaf if it’s not used properly.
Administering medication requires the understanding of how the medication is to enter the body such as orally, transdermal, or intravenous. It also requires the knowledge of when the medication needs to be administered, the possible side effects, and its toxicity. Doctors, nurses, and a few other professionals are trained and licensed to safely give medication and it is imperative they do it without harm. Training for professionals also includes proper storage, handling, and disposal of the drugs. Nursing responsibilities for drug administration includes the Three Checks and the Rights of Medication Administration. The nurse also has the responsibility of the medication to be given. Before administering any medication, rather the medication is known or unfamiliar it is the issuer responsibility to know about or why the medication is to be given. Knowing the mode of action will ensure that the medication given is appropriate for the patient’s diagnosis. It’s also the nurse responsibility to know the side effects of and the contraindications for the medication, as well as the antagonist, safe dosage range, interaction, with other drugs, precautions to take before administering, and the proper administration techniques.
The Three Checks states that the label on the medication package or container to be given should be checked three times during the preparation and administration. First check, read the label when reaching for the medication. Second, after retrieving medication from the drawer and compare it to the CMAR. And thirdly,
Administering medication requires the understanding of how the medication is to enter the body such as orally, transdermal, or intravenous. It also requires the knowledge of when the medication needs to be administered, the possible side effects, and its toxicity. Doctors, nurses, and a few other professionals are trained and licensed to safely give medication and it is imperative they do it without harm. Training for professionals also includes proper storage, handling, and disposal of the drugs. Nursing responsibilities for drug administration includes the Three Checks and the Rights of Medication Administration. The nurse also has the responsibility of the medication to be given. Before administering any medication, rather the medication is known or unfamiliar it is the issuer responsibility to know about or why the medication is to be given. Knowing the mode of action will ensure that the medication given is appropriate for the patient’s diagnosis. It’s also the nurse responsibility to know the side effects of and the contraindications for the medication, as well as the antagonist, safe dosage range, interaction, with other drugs, precautions to take before administering, and the proper administration techniques.
The Three Checks states that the label on the medication package or container to be given should be checked three times during the preparation and administration. First check, read the label when reaching for the medication. Second, after retrieving medication from the drawer and compare it to the CMAR. And thirdly,
References: 1. Comprehensive Nursing Care, Revised 2nd Edition. (2012). Ramont, Reberta P.; Niedringhaus, Dolores M.; Towle, Mary A. 2. Medication Error Reports. (2009). Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved May 19, 2013, from www. Fda.gov/Drug Safety/Medication Errors 3. Medication errors, handoff process and information quality. Chiru, Alina M; Baxter, Ryan. Business Process Management Journal 19.2, (2003): 2011-2016