Title: Administer oral medications.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-36) > Section: Examining Administration of Prepared Instillations and Treatments

Administration should include

- following the guidelines for administering oral liquid medication:
  - Wash your hands thoroughly.
  - Identify the right client.
  - Read the medication administration record (MAR) and compare with the HCP orders.
  - Get the medication container from the cart/cabinet and read the label to verify
    - right client
    - right drug
    - right dose
    - right route
    - right time.

  - Check the expiration date on the medication label.
  - Compare the label with the instructions on the MAR and read three times.
  - Pour the verified medication into the appropriate container.
  - Place your initials in the appropriate box on the MAR.
  - Follow special documentation procedures if the medication is a Schedule II-IV drug.
  - Give the drugs to the client immediately with the recommended amount of fluids.
  - Stay with the client until the medication is swallowed (check mouth PRN).
  - Close the MAR and lock the cart/cabinet if out of visual range.
  - Wash your hands thoroughly after administering the medications.
  - Administer the medications within a two-hour window unless otherwise specified.
  - Dispose of unused foods or liquids.
  - Restock the cart with supplies.
  - Clean and lock the cart/cabinet.
  - Observe the client for any unpleasant or harmful effects from the medication and report observations to a physician immediately.

- following the guidelines for administering oral solid medication:
  - Shake the bottle well unless instructed not to do so.
  - Place the cap from the bottle upside down on the counter or table after removing.
  - Use specially marked cups when pouring and measuring liquids.
  - Place the measuring cup at eye level when pouring and measuring.
  - When pouring, hold the bottle so that the label is covered with your hand, and then wipe the top of the bottle after pouring to keep the label from becoming soiled or illegible.
  - If too much medicine is poured, throw away the extra amount.
  - If giving two liquid medications at one time and one of the liquids is a cough syrup, give the cough syrup last (do not mix the two liquids together).

Do not give medication

  - if the HCP order, the MAR, or the pharmacy label is missing or illegible.
  - if a client exhibits a significant change in physical or mental status.
  - if there is a question or any doubt about the five rights.