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Rights to Respect

Right Child
Right Medication
Right Dose
Right Route
Right Time
Classroom Times

09 February 2014

Vol. 1 Issue 1


Proper Administration of Medication
In most schools today, there are children who may
need to take medications during school hours. Students can
have a short-term or long-term medical need or have
medication for emergency situations. The proper
administration of medication is a common concern for
education staff.
When teachers have students in their classroom that
require them to store medication, they must take multiple
things into consideration in order to properly administer the
medication, safely store the medication, and to protect the
confidentiality of the students who need medications.
Storing Medication in the Classroom
Children are naturally curious. Especially young
children, it makes since that they would be even more curious
when it comes to medicine. Many medications can appear to
look like candy, and even sometimes taste like candy.
Although it is important to encourage students to explore
and discover new things, medication is something that all
children, even the ones prescribed to it, need to be kept safe
from. Medications are the leading cause of child poisoning.
Every year, more than 67,000 children go to an emergency
room for medicine poisoning. Thats one child every eight
minutes (Safe Kids).
Here are some tips for storing medication in the classroom:
o Put medicines up and away and out of sight
o Lock the storage area
o Have the number for the Poison Control Center posted
near the storage unit in cases of emergencies.

Always respect the five rights when giving
medication to a child!






Before Administration

Before administrating medication to a
student, always respect the five rights of a child.
This means to check and make sure that you have
the right child, right medication and right dose,
are doing the right routine, and are
administrating the medication at the right time.
You should also read all instructions carefully. All
prescription medications also contain a label of
instructions about how to take them. Some
medications say to take with food or milk and
must be followed accordantly.

Steps of Administrating Medication

1. Identify the child you will be giving the
medication to
2. Wash your hands
3. Gather all equipment you need to give the
medications, such as food or liquids
4. Unlock the storage area
5. Compare the Medication Authority Form with
the Individual Health Plan
6. Prepare an accurate dose
7. Administer the medication
8. Make sure the child takes the medication


After Administration of Medication


After you have given medication to a child,
return the medication to the storage area and lock
it. Document the administration of the medication in
a record log. Wash your hands again. You should
also observe the child for any side effects and report
any odd behavior to the parent. Side effects from
medication include but are not limited to:

o Rashes
o Hives
o Vomiting
o Diarrhea

If a student develop wheezing, has trouble
breathing, or difficulty swallowing after taking a
medication, seek emergency help by calling 911
immediately.









Classroom Times


References:

Allston & Brighton. (n.d) APAC Health Manual for Educators of Young Children Online. Retrieved
from Allston & Brighton APAC - Child and Family Service Centers Web Site:
http://www.allstonbrightonapac.org/mainoffice/HealthManualEdu/Medication%20Policy.pdf.

Association of Teachers and Lecturers.(n.d) Administering Medication. Retrieved from ATL: The
Education Union Web Site: http://www.atl.org.uk/help-and-advice/school-and-
college/administering-medication.asp/

Children's National Medical Center.(n.d) Medication Safety. Retrieved from Safe Kids Worldwide Web
Site: http://www.safekids.org/research-report/safe-storage-safe-dosing-safe-kids-report-nation-
safe-medication-march-2012.

Durani, Y (2011, November, 01). Medications: Using Them Safely. Retrieved from Kids Health Web
Site: http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/medication_safety.html#

NASBE. (n.d.). Administration of Medication. Retrieved from NABSEs website:
http://www.nasbe.org/healthy_schools/hs/bytopics.php?topicid=4110

Maintain Confidentiality
It is important to protect the confidentiality of
students who need medications. Teachers
should never discuss reasoning for medication
or information about the medication to anyone
who is not directly involved with the student.
Teachers should also keep documentation of
the medication and the proper paper work
locked up with the medication. Also, teachers
can help to protect the confidentiality by
posting a list of who is allowed in the cabinet on
the front of it.


Created by: Kaylee Dillon Education 460

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