medication administration checks

[myknucklehurts]

I know that there are 3 checks that must be done before administering medication but they are not listed specifically in my textbook. Going by my notes the checks are as follows:

1) Check the doctor's orders

2) Check the medication name to the MAR

3) Check the medication when administering

This doesn't seem quite specific enough to me, would someone please elaborate for me?

[Boog'sCRRN246, RN]

Hmmm...you also check it when pulling it out of the drawer of the pyxis/diebold/med cart, etc.

[myknucklehurts]

Hmmm...you also check it when pulling it out of the drawer of the pyxis/diebold/med cart etc.[/quote']

I remember my instructor saying that, would that be instead of or maybe along with checking the doctor's order?

I've received information from fellow students (particularly Check 1) that have me confused. All that I know for sure right now is that there is supposed to be 3 checks.

[Boog'sCRRN246, RN]

You definitely check the MD's order first. Then you check the MAR against the order to make sure it's been transcribed correctly. Then after you've gone to the med room, and you're pulling meds, you check the label against the MAR to make sure they match. Before you set the med aside, you check the label again. And before closing the drawer, you check again. After that, you should be ready to finally give the med to the patient, at which time you'd check 2 identifying things, like name/d.o.b....

[wifeys]

Hi,

We were taught to use six rights.

1. Right patient

2. Right medication

3. Right dose

4. Right route

5. Right time

6. Right documentation

Is this what you meant?

[myknucklehurts]

Hi,

We were taught to use six rights.

1. Right patient

2. Right medication

3. Right dose

4. Right route

5. Right time

6. Right documentation

Is this what you meant?

No, I'm familiar with those too and our class has even added a seventh, the right to refuse. I found what I was looking for in one of my handouts though.

Three checks done to verify correct medication:

1) as the medication is taken from the patient's drawer

2) as the medication is place, still in its package, in a paper cup or on a small tray

3) just before opening the package to administer the dose to the patient

Thanks to everyone for their help.

[pupilnurse]

• Before you pour, mix, or draw up a medication, you check its label against the entry on the MAR, being sure that the name, route, dose, and time match the MAR entry.
  
• After you prepare the medication and before returning the container to the medication cart or discarding anything, you check the label against the MAR entry again.
  
• At the bedside, you check the medication before you actually administer the medication.
  

[XLFord]

Don't forget to check the expiration date along the way. Very rare, but I did catch an expired drug a few times along my way as a student nurse and working on the floor.

[fromwny]

According to my handouts:

1) Checking the meds against the MAR after taking them out of the drawer.

2) After doing the calculations, before you pour the meds into the cup.

3) Before returning the medication bottle to the drawer and walking away from the med cart.

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

There are three checks and five rights. The three checks are related to making sure you have the correct med. You check it when you remove it from the drawer, against the MAR and again right before you administer.

[amdelay]

As we learned in class the three checks are O.A.E

check order

check allergies

check expiration

the TRIPLE check is R.I.P

check when you reach into PIXUS

check when in your hand with the MAR

check again at the pt's bedside

hope this helps