Meds Check-Off---Advice????

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I'm a first semester Nursing student and we have our Medication Check-Off next week and ALL of us are soooooo nervous and scared about passing this check-off! We were told there would be three different types of medication (i.e. tablet, patch, inhaler, liquid, drops, etc.) and we will need to properly read the patient's chart and correctly administer the medication. I know that we need to observe the three label checks and the patient's rights, but is there ANY other advice that some of you seasoned Nurses and later-semester students could give us to help us pass this MOST important check-off? We have been practicing, but there just seems like there is sooooo much to remember and only ONE little slip-up and we will fail. PLEASE send me some study/practice suggestions for this if you guys can! It would be very much appreciated!!!! Thanks!:uhoh3:

I just tried to remember what my nursing instructors and inservices said about med passes.

I did one in med-surg clinical, but my instructor walked me through parts of it.

I remember my instructors teaching us something very similar. Passing meds is second nature now but it sure was stressful in nursing school. In fact, everything in school from exams to skills lab to return demonstrations was enough to provoke a panic attack! I don't miss those days. :lol2:

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Remember these and you will be fine

1.Right Client( use at least 2 identifiers such as name,lastname and date of birth.

2.Right Time (+ when last given)

3. Right Drug

4. Right Dose

5. Right Route

These will reduce the risk for medication errors.

When I first started clinicals I was freaking out too, I was afraid to pass meds and I thought I would never remember all the steps.

This is what I do when I am told to administer meds.

1. I look up allergies

2. I look up the drug ( using drug book)

3. I get the meds( check the name 3 times and compare it to MAR, I also check the expiration date)

4. I go to the patients room ( wash my hands, put gloves on)

5. I ask the patient to tell me first and lastname and their date of birth

6. I tell my patient the medication names( and I also ask if the patient if familiar with the meds)

7. I ask if the patient prefers to take the meds one by one or all at the same time.

8. I give the meds and watch the patient take them ( NEVER leave the meds in the room or tell the family to give them)

9. I have a little notebook that I write the times I administered the meds and I go chart it off.

I hope this helps.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

Everyone has given you great tips and things to remember so I will not repeat anything they said... The only one that got me on my check off was a rectal suppository.. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LUBE :) I didn't expect it so I was not prepared for something so basic yet very important for pt safety and comfort.. No, it was not on a real pt..

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Specializes in Med/Surg and ANCC RN-BC.

Remember the six rights.

Right patient, Right dose, right medication, right time, right documentation, right route

Also check to make sure that some of the medications you give (such as heart meds) you know the vital signs and know when and when not to give those medications.

Just remember to breath and relax. you are in the lab and they are there to help you. You will rock it!!!!

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Specializes in HH, MedSurg, Oncology, Orthopedics, Pacu.

These are ALL wonderful suggestions and excellent pieces of advice!!!!! THANKS to all of you!!!!! One additional question.....when would be the appropriate/best time to put on gloves? We were discussing this today in lab and some teachers are requiring gloves ONLY if there is a Nitro paste/patch or if we have to give a sub-lingual tablet. Would it be improper to put on gloves as soon as we walk into the patient's room immediately after washing our hands? Many of us think this might just be one way to keep everything hygienic (i.e. NOT touching pills with our bare hands) and also a way to NOT forget this most important step. What do you guys think? :uhoh3:

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
These are ALL wonderful suggestions and excellent pieces of advice!!!!! THANKS to all of you!!!!! One additional question.....when would be the appropriate/best time to put on gloves? We were discussing this today in lab and some teachers are requiring gloves ONLY if there is a Nitro paste/patch or if we have to give a sub-lingual tablet. Would it be improper to put on gloves as soon as we walk into the patient's room immediately after washing our hands? Many of us think this might just be one way to keep everything hygienic (i.e. NOT touching pills with our bare hands) and also a way to NOT forget this most important step. What do you guys think? :uhoh3:

Think about the rationale of the gloves...

Let's say, you walk into a room, wash your hands, don the gloves..examine the patient, touch the bed, touch the bedside table etc...now, are your gloves clean?

Probably not.

When wondering if you need gloves for meds...say to yourself, "Ok, would I feel comfortable wearing these gloves right now to eat a meal."

If not, then handwash with new gloves!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Moved to our Nursing Student discussion forum for best advice.

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