Medication Administration Best Practices
Safe medication administration is fundamental to nursing practice. Follow these best practices:
The Five Rights of Medication Administration
- Right Patient: Verify patient identity using at least two identifiers
- Right Drug: Check medication name, dosage, and form
- Right Dose: Verify dosage calculations and proper measurement
- Right Route: Confirm the appropriate route of administration
- Right Time: Administer medication at the scheduled time
Additional Safety Measures
- Check for allergies before administration
- Document immediately after administration
- Monitor for adverse effects and reactions
- Educate patients about their medications
- Use double-check procedures for high-risk medications
