3. Equipment to measure
Souffle cup
Medicine cup
Medicine dropper
Syringe
teaspoon
4. How to administer oral,
sublingual, and buccal drugs
Give most important drug first (cardiac or antibiotics)
Give solid drugs first then liquids: do not mix solid drugs
with liquids
Do not let container touch souffle or medicine cup
Turn lip or cap upside down, do not touch inside of lid or
cap
Use souffle or medicine cup for all capsules and tablets
Check with nurse before crushing tablets or opening
capsules or scoring a tablet
Do not mix drugs with food or fluids unless directed
Have person drink before taking drug
Have person place well back on tongue
Give person fluids to swallow drug
Have person keep head forward while swallowing
5. Cont…
Encourage person to drink full glass of fluid
Remind person to suck on lozenges
Do not dilute liquid drug unless ordered
Do not mix liquid drugs together
Give cough syrup last
Do not return excess liquid to container
Sublingual (under tongue) no water to drink,
allow drug to absorb
Buccal (placed between cheek and teeth) no
water drink, allow drug absorb
If liquid is less then 5cc. Use a syringe to
measure
6. Problems swallowing
Have resident in sitting position
Give sip of water prior to administration
Give medication one-at-a-time with adequate
fluid, do not rush resident
Give most vital medications first
place medication well back on tongue
Use straw versus glass
Give liquid medications slowly
Check to be sure each medication swallowed
Watch for choking, call for help immediately
If problems persists, report to nurse
8. administration
Provide privacy
Wear gloves
Position person (exposed application site)
Cleanse application site- will need to remove old application, you need to
rotate application site (nitroglycerine ointment & all transdermal’s)
May need to shake lotion bottle, pour onto cotton ball, plastic cup or gauze
pad
Use tongue blade to remove cream from jar
It tube, squeeze small amount onto gauze pad
Apply agent in thin layer, in direction of hair growth with firm gentle strokes
Use gloved hand to apply powder in thin, even coverage
Do not rub or massage nitroglycerine ointment into skin; write date, time,
your name on tape securing new application; document application site
Transdermal disk or patch- similar to nitroglycerine application; date &
initial the patch prior to removing the plastic backing, place exposed side of
patch to skin, press firmly in place
Apply clean gloves once the site has been cleaned, prior to applying the
new cream or patch
If excess body hair is present, clip the hair close to the skin, but don’t
shave it
10. administration
Eye
◦ Position person properly (supine, sitting, Fowler’s position; head
tipped back)
◦ Remove eye secretions with saline & guaze pads or washcloth
folded into fourth’s (clean inner aspect to outer)starting with the
eye farthest away from you
◦ Give eye drops at room temperature
◦ Don’t allow container to touch eye, face, etc.
◦ Apply ordered number of drops 1/2-3/4 inch above conjunctival
sac
◦ Drops-remind that will cause burning or blurriness
◦ If 1 kind-wait 1 min between drops-if more then 1 kind wait 1-5
min
◦ Ointment-remind that will cause blurriness
◦ Waste a small amt. on a tissue to ensure ointment is not
contaminated
◦ Squeeze ointment in strip fashion into conjunctival sac from inner
to outer aspect
◦ Have person close eye after application
◦ Use tissue to blot excess- do not rub or wipe
11. Cont…
Ear
◦ Give ear drops at room temperature
◦ Position in side lying position (affected ear up)
◦ Remove excess cerumen with wet washcloth
◦ Pull adult ear upward and back
◦ Insert cotton plug loosely into ear if ordered; have person remain
on side for 5-10 minutes-may switch to other side after 5 min
Nasal
◦ Tell patient medication may cause burning or stinging feeling
◦ Have them blow their nose prior to using the spray-unless has a
head injury or surgery or has had nasal surgery
◦ Position: drops- supine head over edge of mattress; or place a
rolled up towel under the neck area
spray- sitting or semi-fowler’s –block the opposite nostril that’s
being sprayed
Have take a deep breath as the spray is squeezed into the nose
Remind person not to blow nose after application for several minutes
Do not dispose of clip
12. Cont….
Inhaled
◦ Follow manufacture’s directions with dry powder via dispenser
◦ Give broncho-dilator before cortico-steroid
◦ Check inside inhaler for foreign matter
◦ Shake canister-have take 2 deep breaths-hold the canister about 1”
from the mouth
◦ Have person exhale, squeeze dispenser on the count of 3 while
inhaling deeply, slowly 3-5 seconds
◦ Have person hold breath for at least 10 seconds, exhale slowly
◦ Person may use spacer if unable to follow directions well-this can
be placed in the mouth
◦ Wait 1 min. before giving 2nd puff if it is the same drug
◦ Wait 1-3 minutes before giving second inhaled drug if different
◦ Have person rinse mouth after inhaling cortico-steroid
◦ Clean inhaler & spacer after administration
◦ Nep. tx’s can be done by a med aide if the person has been stable
& documented as such for a period of 6 mo.’s without any problems
or complications
13. Vaginal and Rectal Drugs
Drug forms
◦ Creams
◦ Gels
◦ Tablets
◦ Foams
◦ Suppositories
Equipment
◦ Applicator
◦ Water-soluble lubricant
◦ Pillow
◦ Perineal pad or panty shield
◦ Gloves
◦ Paper towels, toilet tissue
14. How to administer
Follow standard precautions
Provide privacy
Insert rounded end of suppository first
Administer drug at room temperature
Vaginal drugs
◦ Have woman void
◦ Position in lithotomy position
◦ Spread labia to expose vagina
◦ Apply perineal pad/panty shield after administration of drug
◦ Remain supine, hips elevated 5-10 minutes
Rectal drugs
◦ Have person move bowels (if possible)
◦ Position in Sims’ position or left side lying
◦ Raise upper buttocks to expose anus
◦ Use lubrication such as KY gel
◦ Insert toward the spine
◦ Don’t leave the suppository in feces or it will not work
◦ Remain in position 15-20 minutes