Table of Contents
REQUIREMENTS #
- A tray containing the following:
- Patient’s treatment chart
- Medicine cup(plastic)
- Plastic cup of water on a plastic saucer
- Disposable spoon
- Tissue paper
- Patient’s medication(s)
- Protective material
- Patient’s folder (Electronic/Manual)
- Assisting nurse(s)
STEPS #
- Establish rapport (refer procedure) and explain procedure to the patient
- Identify and check for the rights of medication administration (e.g. right patient, right tablet(s), right to refuse, right documentation, etc.)
- Perform hand hygiene
- Prepare tray and send to patient’s bedside or appropriate place
- Check the prescription again with the medication
- Ask for patient’s co-operation
- Shake the bottle well
- Remove the cork and hold it with the little or ring finger
- Pick the medicine cup and with the thumb nail, mark the level of the measure to be taken
- Pour out the prescribed dose at eye level in bright light holding the bottle with the label uppermost( pour away excess mixture, never return it into the bottle)
- Replace the cork, read the label a third time, compare with patient’s treatment sheet and dose in the measuring cup
- Call patient by name in low voice
- Send mixture to where patient is seated with the medicine on a saucer (a teaspoon may be added for stirring if necessary)
- Suggest to and help patient to tilt head backwards and support the head with the help of another nurse
- Coax patient to open the mouth or gently try to open the mouth (be careful not to injure patient. Do not force the mouth open)
- Pour the mixture into patient’s mouth directing it to the back of the tongue
- Rub the front of the neck gently to stimulate the swallowing reflex and ensure that the patient swallows the mixture
- Express appreciation to patient and direct him/her to the next activity
- Clear tray and perform hand hygiene
- Sign the treatment chart and document procedure in nurses’ notes/ patient’s folder
- Observe patient for the effects of the medication and report