Responsible for the actions and effects of medications
Responsible to understand disease processes and common treatment regimens
Responsible to know why a med is prescribed for a patient
Accountable to utilize available resources as a guide
Accountable to serve as a patient advocate and know patients rights
2. Define the proper technique for ear drop administration for adults and children?
Adults: pull upward and toward back of head
Child: (under the age of three) pull down and back
3. Identify nursing responsibility when accuracy of an order is in question
Review drug book; check with pharmacist; clarify with physician, solicit opinion of senior/charge nurse
4. Discuss the procedure for proper patient identification
2 forms for patient identification
Compare name and birthdate on ID band with name on MAR
ALWAYS identify your patient with each administration
Ask patient to state his/her patient with each administration
Ask patient to state his/her name and birthdate
Never say “Are you….?”-they could say yes to name
The confused patient
Check the ID band against the name on the MAR
Ask family if available, identify with another staff person during report
5. Discuss nursing responsibility in passing medications prepared by another nurse
DO NOT give meds someone else has prepared!!!!!!!!
YOU are accountable if an error is made!!!!!!!
6. Define the acceptable time-frame a nurse is allowed to pass scheduled medications
Drugs may be given 30 min before and 30 min after prescribed time (some facilities allow 1 hour before and 1 hour after)
7. Define each rule related to the “six rights”, and define how the nurse is absolutely sure he/she has the correct medication
Right Patient
Two forms for patient identification
Compare name and birthdate on ID band with name on MAR
ALWAYS identify your patient with each administration
Ask patient to state his/her name and birth date-never say “Are you….?”-can say yes to any name