Question

Describe the nurse’s role and responsibility in administering medications. What measures are in place to ensure safe administration of medication?

• Recognize the 10 rights of medication administration and its application to nursing practice.
• What is the nurse’s responsibility when handling controlled substances?
• Describe the nurse’s role and responsibility in administering medications. What measures are in place to ensure safe administration of medication?
• What is the nurse’s responsibility when handling controlled substances?
• Discuss half-life, therapeutic rage, peak level and trough level. How are each of these important considerations in nursing practice? What situations would the nurse needs to apply these concepts?
• Compare and contrast the different types of medication actions/effects (adverse, allergic, interactions, etc).
• What are the necessary components of a medication order? Describe the different types of medication orders?
• What is the nurse’s role in preventing and reporting medication errors? What are the priorities regarding medication errors?
• What type of information is important for the nurse to gather before, during, and following medication administration?
• Identify the routes of medication administration (including injections). Describe proper administration technique, advantages/disadvantages, and nursing considerations for each route/site.

Answer 1

The nurse's role in administering medications is multifaceted, encompassing verification of the 10 rights of medication administration, handling controlled substances responsibly, and ensuring safe practices. Nurses must adhere to the rights of medication administration, which include the right patient, medication, dose, route, and time, among others. When handling controlled substances, nurses are responsible for strict documentation, secure storage, and preventing diversion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nurses play a crucial role in medication administration, starting with the meticulous verification of the 10 rights: right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right reason, right assessment data, right documentation, right response, and the right to education. The application of these rights ensures accurate and safe medication practices in nursing. Additionally, when dealing with controlled substances, nurses must adhere to strict protocols, including thorough documentation of each transaction, maintaining secure storage, and preventing unauthorized access or diversion to maintain patient safety and prevent potential legal consequences.

Understanding pharmacokinetic concepts such as half-life, therapeutic range, peak level, and trough level is essential in nursing practice. These parameters guide medication dosing and monitoring. For instance, knowing a medication's half-life helps determine the appropriate dosing interval, while therapeutic range, peak, and trough levels guide dosage adjustments to achieve optimal therapeutic effects without toxicity. Nurses must apply these concepts in situations where precise medication levels are crucial, such as with medications with a narrow therapeutic index.

In summary, the nurse's role in medication administration is extensive and includes adherence to the 10 rights, responsible handling of controlled substances, and a comprehensive understanding of pharmacokinetic concepts. These practices collectively contribute to safe and effective medication administration in nursing.