University of Saint Anthony
(Dr. Santiago G. Ortega Memorial)
Dr. Ortega St., Iriga City, Philippines
THE ROLE OF THE NURSE IN DRUG before the container is returned to
ADMINISTRATION storage
check the expiry date of the drug
Patient’s Rights
Right Dose
Because of the risks involved in drug
administration patients have the right to: check the dose, read the container
label, calculate the dose & check with a
be informed of the name, purpose, action RN if necessary
& potential side effects of drugs use proper measuring devices for
liquids, do not crush tablets or open
receive labelled medications safely in capsules unless directed to by the
accordance with the five (5) rights pharmacist. (do not crush enteric
coated tablets).
be adequately informed of the if a drug is required in another form you
experimental nature of any drug and sign a may get it from the pharmacy.
written consent
Right Route
not receive unnecessary medications
make sure the M.O.’s order is clear &
The nurse is also responsible for ensuring only give the medications by the route
that they have the knowledge to ensure designated.
the correct administration of drugs. This know the abbreviations for the different
includes pharmacology, anatomy and routes.
physiology, and legal issues.
Right Time
Every registered nurse is legally
responsible for the correct administration of check the time interval ordered by the
drugs. This includes the five “rights” of M.O. & give the medication at the
administration: prescribed time.
Right patient drugs should be given within 20
Right drug minutes of the prescribed time.
Right dose
Right route Allergies
Right time Check if your patient:
1. has any known drug allergies
Right Patient 2. has had any previous adverse drug
◦ check the patient name & hospital reaction
number against the chart & I.D. band.
◦ ask the patient to state his/her name, & Another responsibility of the nurse is to
their date of birth (D.O.B) monitor the effect of the drugs that are
administered to a client, i.e.
Right Drug
-whether the drug had the required
Identify the drug from the M.O.’s order. Clarify effect
with the M.O. if in doubt. -little or no effect or
Check the drug three times: - if any adverse reactions occurred.
before removing it from the trolley or
shelf
when the drug is removed from the
container
Prepared by:
LORRAINE T. ESTADILLA, RM, RN, MAN
CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR – PHC 1
University of Saint Anthony
(Dr. Santiago G. Ortega Memorial)
Dr. Ortega St., Iriga City, Philippines
WHAT CONSTITUTES A LEGAL antagonistic- lessening the
MEDICATION ORDER effectiveness of another drug
synergistic- enhancing or improving the
Medication charts are legal documents and effectiveness of another drug
must be completed accurately and
unambiguously in order to ensure that patients Adverse Reactions
receive safe and optimal drug therapy.
- unwanted and/or unintended effects of the
Medication Charts should be written legibly in administration of a drug.
the prescriber’s own handwriting and include:
May be: Iatrogenic
Patient’s surname, first name, medical Drug sensitivity/allergy
record number (MRN), ward/clinic - if a
patient ID label is used it must be affixed to Iatrogenic disease- caused unintentionally by
every medication chart and signed for drug therapy, i.e.induced by medical
verification by the prescriber practitioners.
Drug name (generic), dosage form, Drug sensitivity/allergy - occurs in an
strength and dose required individual who has been previously exposed to
the drug and has developed antibodies. Drug
Complete, clear and unambiguous allergies can be manifested in a variety of
directions for each item – directions should symptoms ranging from minor to serious.
be written in plain English (only approved
abbreviations may be used) - the reaction can occur immediately after the
Prescriber’s printed name, signature and client received the medication, or be delayed for
date of order - the prescriber’s full hours to days.
signature and date of order must be
written for EACH DRUG ordered - some of the signs and symptoms are skin
rash, urticaria (itching), nausea and vomiting.
Weight should be provided for any drug
dosed by weight. Anaphylaxis- A life-threatening immediate
reaction is called anaphylaxis. There is
N.B. Each medication order must be respiratory distress, sudden severe
legible, complete and unambiguous so bronchospasm, and cardiovascular collapse. It
that the correct patient is administered may result in death if not treated immediately.
the correct drug at the appropriate
dose. A nurse cannot administer the NAMES OF DRUGS
drug and a pharmacist cannot dispense Drugs can have three types of names:
a drug to a patient unless all details are a. chemical
correct and complete. b. generic
c. trade/brand/proprietary
Terms and Definitions
a. Chemical name:
Drug Interactions - a very precise description of the drug’s
chemical composition, identifying the drug’s
The combined effect of two (2) or more atomic and molecular structure.
drugs acting simultaneously. Each drug - this name is of significance to the
may have either a positive or negative pharmacist.
effect on the working of the others, i.e. b.Generic name:
they may be
Prepared by:
LORRAINE T. ESTADILLA, RM, RN, MAN
CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR – PHC 1
University of Saint Anthony
(Dr. Santiago G. Ortega Memorial)
Dr. Ortega St., Iriga City, Philippines
- the name assigned by the manufacturer who
first develops the drug. Often the generic name
is derived from the chemical name.
- the official name is the name by which the
drug is identified in the official publication.
c.Trade/ Brand/ Proprietary name:
- is selected by the drug company selling the
drug and is copyrighted
- a drug can have several trade names when
produced by different manufacturers
e.g. Chemical name= Acetylsalicylic
acid
Generic name = Aspirin
Trade names include Aspro, Disprin
Be aware that in different countries generic and
trade names will also differ, e.g. in Australia &
the United States one drug has the generic
names of paracetamol & acetaminophen, i.e.
Panadol/Tylenol.
CATEGORIES/CLASSIFICATIONS
OF DRUGS
Drugs can be classified from different
perspectives
e.g. drugs may be classified by –
(a) body systems
i.e. drugs affecting the respiratory system
drugs affecting the cardiovascular system
OR
(b) the symptom relieved by the drug, or the
clinical indication for the drug i.e. analgesic,
antibiotic
Prepared by:
LORRAINE T. ESTADILLA, RM, RN, MAN
CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR – PHC 1
