Student Name
Chamberlain University
NR-293: Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
Prof. Name:
Date
The first principle of safe medication administration is to ensure the correct patient is receiving the medication. This involves verifying the patient’s identity through at least two methods, such as checking the identification band and confirming their name or date of birth.
Nurses must ensure that the dose and route specified in the prescription align with the patient’s needs. If the prescription includes multiple routes, consult the healthcare provider to confirm the intended route and discontinue unused options.
Patients have the right to refuse medication. If a patient refuses, the nurse should dispose of the medication appropriately, document the refusal, and inform the healthcare provider as necessary.
Medication Rights | Description |
---|---|
Right Patient | Verify the patient using two methods. |
Right Dose and Route | Confirm correct dose and route; clarify any ambiguities with the provider. |
Right to Refuse | Respect patient autonomy, dispose of unused medication, and document appropriately. |
Oral medications undergo the first-pass effect, where the liver metabolizes the drug before it reaches systemic circulation. This reduces the drug’s bioavailability, necessitating higher oral doses to achieve therapeutic effects. For example, oral morphine often requires a higher dose due to this effect.
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Definition | Metabolism of a drug in the liver, reducing its bioavailability. |
Impact | Higher oral doses are needed to ensure therapeutic efficacy. |
Example | Oral morphine dosage accounts for the first-pass effect. |
Stay with the patient until the medication is fully swallowed or administered, ensuring compliance and preventing misuse. Avoid leaving unused medications at the bedside.
Provide oral medications with water unless contraindicated. Certain liquids, such as milk, may interfere with absorption.
Key Considerations | Practice Tips |
---|---|
Supervision | Ensure the patient takes the medication properly. |
Unused Medications | Dispose of unused medications immediately and document. |
Compatibility | Use appropriate liquids to avoid absorption interference. |
American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Silver Spring, MD: Nursesbooks.org.
McCuistion, L. E., Vuljoin-Dimaggio, C., Winton, M. B., & Yeager, J. J. (2021). Pharmacology: A patient-centered nursing process approach. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
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