Questions to all experienced nurses ...regarding medication adminstration

J9G2008 · Oct 28, 2009

Not an experienced nurse, but here's what I think I know:

1) What could you do if a drug is distasteful/may color the patient's teeth?

You could dilute it in orange juice (in the case of iron, this gives better absorption) and have the patient drink it through a straw. Also, provide mouth care after administration.

2) What creative teaching regarding drug therapy should be done for the following clients discharged taking several oral medications: a. person w/ decreased vision, b. school age child Have the meds dispensed as liquids, with flavoring that the child likes. Also chewable varieties of things like Tylenol are usually well-tolerated.

3) What should you do if the client is in x-ray when you go to administer medications? To avoid this, check the MAR before the patient leaves the floor and give any meds before they go. Also, you could just write "held" on the MAR and note that they were off the floor.

What would you do if a client needed a prn medication and he/she is in x-ray? Depends on the med-do they really need it right then? I suppose you could walk down and give it, but I've never seen that done. Sometimes, the patient needs to be NPO anyway, so give the med when they get back.

4) What should you do if you drop a Demerol tubex/carpuject syringe cartridge and it breaks? Sweep it up and show it to another nurse to verify that it was actually wasted. Then dispose of the broken items in the sharps container.

5) What should you do if client complains of nausea and vertigo following ear irrigation? Don't know.

6)What should you do if you find a drug error where an ordered rug had not been given for twodays? Report to the charge nurse? Let the doc know?

7)What instructions should you give a patient regarding steroid containing inhaer? Why? You always give bronchodilators before corticosteroids, so that the steroid can go deeper into the tissues upon administration. The client needs to rinse their mouth with water after administration, since the med is irritating to the oral mucosa.

ellakate · Oct 28, 2009

1) What could you do if a drug is distasteful/may color the patient's teeth?

Give it with a straw. Also, let pt know in advance.

2) What creative teaching regarding drug therapy should be done for the following clients discharged taking several oral medications: a. person w/ decreased vision, b. school age child

Don't know.

3) What should you do if the client is in x-ray when you go to administer medications?

J9G2008 gave a great answer.

What would you do if a client needed a prn medication and he/she is in x-ray

Same as above.

4) What should you do if you drop a Demerol tubex/carpuject syringe cartridge and it breaks?

Hazardous Waste Cleanup (broken glass), Narcotic Disposal Procedure

5) What should you do if client complains of nausea and vertigo following ear irrigation?

Stand by the door. Back to patient care - put the patient flat.

6)What should you do if you find a drug error where an ordered rug had not been given for twodays?

Notify physician immediately. Assess patient for complications related to the med error.

7)What instructions should you give a patient regarding steroid containing inhaer? Why?

That is answered in other places on this website. Wonderful explanations!