In what order do you give medications ?

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I read my textbook and it says to give medication from simple to complex. So in what order do you give medications such as oral first then buccal sublingual patch paste rectal vaginal eye ear IM ID Subq IV etc.?

Ruby Vee, BSN

67 Articles; 14,023 Posts

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching. Has 40 years experience.
I read my textbook and it says to give medication from simple to complex. So in what order do you give medications such as oral first then buccal sublingual patch paste rectal vaginal eye ear IM ID Subq IV etc.?

​Sounds like a homework question to me.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

1 Article; 13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager. Has 13 years experience.

Thread moved to nursing student assistance forum. What do YOU think is the correct answer?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

4 Articles; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma. Has 43 years experience.

We are happy to help with homework but we will not do it for you.....tell us what you think and we will start from there.

psu_213, BSN, RN

3,878 Posts

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant. Has 14 years experience.

I don't know what the textbook answer is, but, in the real world, for me, it depends on the situation. Let's say I have an oral med and an IM shot. I tend to do with the oral med first. Sometimes, however, the pt is so preoccupied with the idea of getting a shot, I do that first just to get it out of the way.

I usually set up an IVPB med before I do other meds...sometimes it is the last med I do. Depends on the situation.

I don't know what answer they want for homework, but this is my real world interpretation.

loriangel14, RN

6,931 Posts

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Yes, give us your thoughts on this OP.

For me it varies. If I go in and the patient is lying down and I have eye drops to give I will do it before I sit them up.If they have a patch going on and I need to remove the old one I will do that first so I don't forget.Honestly I have never heard of giving them in any certain order.

KelRN215, BSN, RN

1 Article; 7,349 Posts

Specializes in Pedi. Has 16 years experience.

In pediatrics, I give whichever one is least upsetting to the child first... if they have a G-tube or a central line, they're probably not going to be bothered by meds going in either one of those. But if they need a shot and are going to jump off the bed and run away after they get it, that's the last thing I'll do.