Introduction to

Nursing
Oral Medication Administration

Erica G. Rizzo MSN-Ed, RN

March 2015

Objectives
By the end of this module,
the student will be able to:
o Identify types of oral
medications
o Describe medication safety
measures
o Demonstrate oral medication
administration
o Analyze clinical scenarios
surrounding oral medications
o Apply critical thinking to
decision making when
administering oral medications

Types of Oral (Enteral)

Medications: Pills
Pill Forms:
o Tablets
o Capsules
o Gel Caps

Pill Administration:
o Swallowed whole (Extended, Sustained, Time Released or
Enteric Coated)
o Chewable
o Dissolvable (Sublingual, Sublabial, Buccal)
o Crushed in food

Types of Oral (Enteral)

Medications: Liquids
Liquid forms:
o Syrup
o Powder

Liquid Administration:
o Syrup medication cup, oral syringe
o Powder mixed with liquid

Medication Safety
The 6 Rights

The right drug

The right dose
The right route
The right time
The right patient
The right
documentation

3 Safety Checks

Medication
Administration

Prepare medications for one patient at a time

Know the medication you are giving
Make sure the medication order is correct
Wash your hands

Medication Administration:
The Right Drug
When removing a medication
from the storage area have
your medication
administration record (MAR)
present.
1st Safety Check- Compare
the medication label to the
MAR when you are removing
the medication from the
storage area.
Check expiration date

Medication Administration:
The Right Dose
2nd Safety Check
Compare the label of
the medication
removed to the MAR.
Perform drug
calculations if
necessary

Medication Administration:
The Right Route
Ensure medications to be given are for the correct
route.

Medication Administration:
Pill Preparation

Unit Dose
Blister Pack

Pill Cutter

Medication Administration:
Pill Preparation

Pill Crusher

Special Considerations

Aspiration Risk
o Can the medication be crushed?
Extended, Sustained, Time
released or Enteric Coated
medications Do Not Crush List
o Medication is a capsule
Can it be opened or does it have
to be administered whole?

Medication Administration:
Liquid Administration

Medication Administration:
The Right Time
Check your MAR to ensure the medication you
have prepared is to be given at the current
time.
Follow facility policies to ensure you are within
the allotted time frame (i.e. 1/2 hour before
and after)
o Example:
Aspirin 81mg PO (by mouth) daily at 9am
o This med can be given between 8:30am9:30am

Medication Administration:
The Right Patient
At the patients bedside confirm the patients identity:
o Utilize 2 patient identifiers Name and DOB (or Medical Record #)
o Have the patient state their name and DOB as you compare this to the
patients arm bracelet and the MAR

3rd Safety Check Compare medication label to MAR at

the bedside before administering the medications

Medication Administration:
The Right Documentation
Document all of the
medications you
administered.
Document if the
patient refused a
medication.
Document if the
medication was held
per nursing
judgment of patient
condition.

Medication Administration:
Demonstration
Lets watch a quick video
demonstrating the steps of
oral (enteral) medication
administration.
http
://www.atitesting.com/ati_next_gen/skillsmod
ules/content/medication-administration-1/vie
wing/admin_meds.html

Medication Administration:
Scenario 1
Your patient is an 83 year old male who has
suffered a stroke and is experiencing difficulty
swallowing. He is ordered to receive Aspirin EC
81 mg PO daily at 9am.
o Difficulty swallowing puts your patient at a risk for
___________.
o How do you plan on administering oral meds for this
patient?
o Would you administer this medication?
o Why or why not?

Medication Administration:
Scenario 2
You have an order to administer Metoprolol
12.5 mg PO daily at 8am. You remove a
Metoprolol 25mg tablet from the storage area.

o While completing your safety checks, you

determine you must take what action to ensure
your patient receives the correct dose?
o This medication requires a nursing assessment prior
to administration. What would you assess to safely
administer this oral medication?

Questions