Hey, I work in the ICU and have 2 pts usually, but we give meds a lot more often, check on our patients continuously and respond as needed continuously.
My suggestion to you is to get a game plan.
You have 5 patients?
Do you do all your assmessments first, then give out meds?
How often does it seem that you have to give out meds, and how many (to one patient)? Like one patient-meds at 8, 12, 6 or what?
So, this is what i do:
Get my assignment, go look at each patient quickly (glance in room-make sure abc's are good), then do assessment quickly but thoroughly of each, document assess. and the review meds. we pass meds usu. at 10, 12, 6 etc. some more often
then just punch out the meds quickly, and continue on with other needs
