What are the 3 "befores" in giving meds???

NurseStacey143, ADN, RN · Oct 3, 2004

im not sure about the 3 befores....but some things would depend on the med given. for example holding an antihypertensive if the BP was low...

nursemandylpn · Oct 3, 2004

Maybe they are wanting to know about the 3 checks you do before you give a med.

Christina_NICU · Oct 3, 2004

First check: Check the MAR for drug name, dosage, frequency, route, and expiration date for adminstering the order.

Second check: After preparing the meds, recheck each one (label on the container, too) with the MAR

Third check: After placing all meds on the cart, recheck the label on the container against the MAR before returning its storage place.

That is the only 3-related thing I know so far. But it seems to fit. You are supposed to do all three of these checks before adminstering a med. (so says my fundamentals book).

Just to note, at my school we have the 7 rights: client, med, route, time, dosgae, refusal, and documentation. Most of our books says either 5 or 6, but they tell us to use 7 now. :)

weetziebat · Oct 3, 2004

Thanks all for the replies. I just called her back and told her what you all said, and she says a big "Thank You" for helping her. :balloons:

z's playa · Oct 3, 2004

Isn't there a check required regarding the pts hospital band to make sure its the right pt getting the meds?

RN_Amy, RN · Oct 3, 2004

Apart for what everyone else has mentioned, maybe the three "befores" include:

- checking allergies and/or sensitivites

- check the time of adminstration of the last dose of medication ie. to ensure you are not "double dosing".

- witholding the medication if contraindications suggest so (based on the patients current clinical condition) - patient has a pulse rate of 40 would NOT benefit from some digoxin!

ChrisA · Oct 3, 2004

Just to note, at my school we have the 7 rights: client, med, route, time, dosgae, refusal, and documentation. Most of our books says either 5 or 6, but they tell us to use 7 now. :)

inflation... :chuckle

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2004

We recently added "right to refuse" as one of the rights.

kathy_79 · Oct 3, 2004

except 6 rights (we do not have refusal), we have 3 biggiest one about pt identification:

check pt name on id band

ask pt to say his or her name to you,

compare id band with mar

boggle, ASN, RN · Oct 9, 2004

Our "3 checks" refer to checking the drug label against the MAR 3 times.

Check it when you pull it from the med cart.

Check it again when you pour the med.

Check it again before you administer it to the patient.

These are in addition to the 5 (or 6 or 7) "Rights".

lil' girl, LPN · Oct 9, 2004

Don't know about your school but there is more than 3 and we call it the 5 rights

Right order

Right med

Right patient

Right Time

Right Dose

We just finished studying this.