Question

Skills Laboratory: Concerns or Fears

In this brief written assignment (no more than one page), describe any concerns or fears you have about medication administration. Be specific about what these may be and also identify how you think this Laboratory can alleviate them.

Answer 1

The allied health professional is obligated to check the medication order and conditions of administration before giving the drug to the patient. If they have any doubt regarding the dose or dosage of the medication, they must not hesitate to question the physician and clear the possibility of mistake. Having the adequate skill regarding the medication administration is also important to achieve the expected therapeutic response, to avoid patient in compliance, and repeated dose administration. For example, some people may face difficulty with administering drugs through the nasal route and intravenous route. It is important to avoid mistakes when administering drugs through these routes because the drug cannot be collected back and they produce immediate effects.

Example: Nasal drugs are administered either to produce a local effect or to produce a systemic effect. They are generally used to stop the nose-bleeding or to relieve the congestion of respiratory passages.

The common indications for nasal medication administration:

• During the medication administration, the patient must be in the supine position and head tilted backward
• After instillation, told the head forward to allow the medication to distribute appropriately
• The nose drops entered into the throat should be expectorated out as they can enter into the systemic circulation and produce unwanted effects

Indications for the administration of nasal sprays and atomizers:

• The nasal passages must be cleared before administering the medication
• To administer the medication, one nostril is occluded and the patient is allowed to inhale the drug through the other nostril
• After placing the applicator inside the nostril, the container is squeezed to deliver the medication
• Excessive doses must be avoided and one container must not be used by multiple people as it can cause cross-contamination
• After administering the medication, the head must be tilted back for at least 5 minutes and should not blow thee nose
• The aerosol container must be shaken prior to medication administration