Nursing Skills Laboratory Procedure

							          Nursing Skills Laboratory Procedure: Administration of Oral Medications in Liquid Form 1


                      ALLENTOWN COLLEGE OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
                          DEPARTMENT OF NURSING AND HEALTH

                                            Nursing 204

    Nursing Skills Laboratory Procedure: Administration of Oral Medications in Liquid Form

                           ACTION                           S   U           COMMENTS
     Gather the supplies
     Assess the client’s ability to receive oral
      medications
     Determine the client’s preferred fluids
     Gather the supplies
     Arrange the client’s MAR next to or on the
      medication cart
     Review the client’s MAR by determining if each
      medication contains the essential parts of a
      medication order (client’s name, drug name, drug
      dosage, route of drug administration, time for drug
      administration)
     Obtain the appropriate medication bottle from the
      medication cart
     Compare the label on the medication bottle
      against the MAR by determining if both contain
      the same essential parts of a medication order
      (client’s name, drug name, drug dosage, route of
      drug administration, time for drug administration)
     If the label on the medication bottle is not the
      same as the MAR or do not contain the same
      essential parts of a medication order, check the
      original order in the client’s chart
     If the MAR and original order in the client’s chart
      do not contain the same essential parts of a
      medication order, report the discrepancy to the
      nurse in charge and/or physician
     Perform any necessary drug calculations
     Place a disposable liquid medication cup on the
      medication cart
     Hold the medication bottle in your dominant hand
      with the label next to your palm
     Remove the bottle cap from the medication bottle
      with your nondominant hand
     Place the bottle cap upside down on the
      medication cart
     Hold the liquid medication cup in your
      nondominant hand at eye level
     Pour the medication from the medication bottle
      with your dominant hand into the liquid medication
      cup
     Fill the liquid medication cup with medication from
      the medication bottle until the bottom of the
      meniscus is at the desired dose
     Place the liquid medication cup down on the
         Nursing Skills Laboratory Procedure: Administration of Oral Medications in Liquid Form 2


    medication cart
   Wipe the lip of the liquid medication bottle clean
    with a paper towel
   Screw the bottle cap onto the medication bottle
    with your nondominant hand
   Take the medication into the client’s room
   Identify the client by comparing the name on the
    client’s MAR with the name on the client’s
    identification bracelet and ask the client to state
    his/her full name
   Assist the client to a sitting or, if not possible,
    lateral position
   Perform necessary pre-administration
    assessments for specific medications (e.g.,
    Digoxin = apical pulse)
   Provide the client with sufficient water or preferred
    fluids to swallow the medication
   If the client is unable to hold the medication cup,
    place the medication cup to his/her lips and
    introduce the medication (one at a time if multiple
    medicatioins) into the client’s mouth
   Stay with the client until the medication has been
    swallowed
   Assist the client in returning to a comfortable
    position
   Dispose of soiled supplies
   Record administration of oral medications in liquid
    form on the client’s MAR per agency policy