Is it "5 rights" or "6 rights"?

sserrn, BSN · Jul 22, 2012

We had to learn 10 in my nsg program. However, one of our instructors said there were actually 12 now! lol

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 22, 2012

Depending on your source, you can hit even 11 rights. I wish I could remember where I saw 11. I did see 11 once...and that's where it got into documentation, education, response, etc.

My textbook had 10, thought it emphasized the first basic 5.

I figure as long as I cover the right patient, medication, dose, route, time and to refuse are covered (the basic 5 plus the often forgotten right of patient refusal), it's all good.

Education and documentation are often 2nd nature already. While response is important to note, I can't always control that--they could be one of the few who have a paradoxical response (e.g., the person who takes Benadryl and instead of falling asleep is ready to run laps.).

buytheshoes11, MSN, RN · Jul 22, 2012

In school I was taught about the standard five, but where I work now we include "documentation" as well. It varies depending on your school/teachers and your work place. But always remember to check yourself before giving meds!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2012

Hi. From browsing on here I've noticed you all speak of the "5 rights". I have been trying to review for school this fall in between studying for finals. My med book says "6 rights". Did they add one? I believe they are:Right drugRight doseRight routeRight patientRight timeRight documentation Please tell me If I messed that up. I'm just now starting to learn all of that, and i'd rather know if I am wrong. I've only looked at it a couple of time, so it could very well be flawed.

They like to add on to them. My hospital has SEVEN rights (right concentration I think on ours?). At some point it will stop being a helpful quick reminder list and become a textbook of thousands of rights. Right nurse, right time of year, right astrological reading prior to administration, right mood during administration.....

ashoubre · Jul 23, 2012

My school teaches the 6 rights you've mentioned above!

CrimsonAlchemist · Jul 23, 2012

We also learned "Right Reason"

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2012

My textbooks also included the "5 rights" and THEN included that many facilities do 7 or 8 rights, which would be the documentation, along with reason (the rationale behind the medication) and response to the medication. As long as you know the 5 rights for sure, then you have your basics.

Always know you're going to have to document and it never hurts to know why the patient is receiving that particular medication and of course to know how they react - because you're probably going to have to document that too!

Sounds like you're got the basics and your facility will let you know where else you need to focus.

Nolli · Jul 23, 2012

When I originally learned (medic school) it was just 5. Depends on the professor (if yours uses X number of rights go with X and so on) but for us the the 6th added one is documentation.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2012

i always liked "right reason/indication" because the nurse is responsible for seeing that the medical plan of care is appropriate and this is where the rubber meets the road.

CRNBSN18 · Jul 28, 2012

I always liked "right reason/indication" because the nurse is responsible for seeing that the medical plan of care is appropriate and this is where the rubber meets the road.

I like that, and it makes perfect sense. I wouldn't want to give anything without knowing the "why" and the "how" behind it.

brillohead, ADN, RN · Jul 30, 2012

It's whatever that particular instructor says it is. Do what you have to do to pass the class, then you'll find that the next semester will find a different instructor with a different "rule"!